ugh... driver's door lock jammed

[doctorx69]

I cannot lock the drivers door. The actuator wont press down. I can though, do a full lock and lock the deadbolt. When i try central locking, the doors will lock then immediately unlock. I am guessing that something got jammed in the mechanism. Looks like i have to take off the door card. Once I am in there, what do i need to look at? looking on realoem, thinking one of the links may have slipped or bent. Open to suggestions here.

I really wanted to drive this to work... sigh.

[superj]

check to make sure all the exterior door locks are in the neutral position. if one is in the lock position, I think it stops the interior from allowing it to lock

[doctorx69]

i literally cannot push down the driver's door lock... i tried pulling the fuse... but didnt help. I hope something just slipped off... not broke.

While i have it off..i guess good time to try to fix the leather (?) on the card.

[superj]

all the key slots are in the neutral position though? like the doors are both up and down and the trunk is in the middle position? or did it work yesterday and now it doesn't?

my black 4 door doesn't lock from the inside, either. someone changed locks in the past so who knows which keys fit it

- - - Updated - - -

like, I cannot push it down either but when you lock from the trunk, it locks. but, than you cannot unlock the trunk. I don't know why the key locks one way but doesn't unlock. its odd

[doctorx69]

yes... all locks in neutral posiiton... if i try to lock from any other lock, with central locking, it immediately unlocks. It was working last time i drove it, a few weeks ago.

[superj]

Something had to pop off

[323i E30]

If the lock in the little door at the gas cap is blocked, would that cause this as well? Not sure, but I'd check anyway if it can move freely.
The driver door can't lock when that door is open. I'm pretty sure you know that though..
I've never dealt with lock issues, so that's all I got.

[doctorx69]

the other door, trunk and gas door seem fine... just seems to be problem with drivers door. I plan on pulling the card tonight and see what the problem is.

[superj]

let us know what you find

[doctorx69]

dammit... the locking mechanism in the door latch is jammed. Looks like a part of a spring is loose. Holy crap this is expensive. Suggestions?

[aaverhulst]

Go to salvage yard for parts: Here is a link to find ones near you.
http://car-part.com/

[superj]

or ebay.

pull it out and see if its something you can put back together first, though

[doctorx69]

i did that last night.... looks like the whole thing is riveted together. I just went ahead and ordered new lock and actuator. The motor in the actuator looks to be burnt up from the lock jamming. *sigh* This is more expensive than all the parts for the timing belt...

[superj]

yup.

[Donoman1]

let us know what you find

I'm curious also. Have a similar problem

[doctorx69]

new latch came in yesterday... waiting on the actuator and handle (fell apart when i removed it). I just hope i can remember how to put it back together.

I did figure out what broke on the old latch though. There is a piece inside that connects the interior lock with the exterior lock inside the lock mechanism. I remember now hearing a loud pop recently shutting the door. That piece is what snapped and jammed the mechanism.

[superj]

the broken part was plastic? or just well used metal that finally gave up?

[doctorx69]

ok... New latch and actuator installed and working. While i was at it, i lubricated the window gears and paths... The window motor does not sound like it is going to blow now. I actually am impressed i was able to get it back together in a couple of hours. It is like a rube-goldburg contraption inside there. I also fixed the door card covering (i think it is vinyl) with leather glue and super glue gel. I know the super glue will not last, but it was only on there to hold it together so the loctite leather/vinyl glue sets up (which takes 24 hours to cure). looks much better.

@superj,
The broken part was metal as far as i can tell. It was inside the mechanism.

[superj]

cool