Door lock issues

[ytt105]

I'm starting to have issues with the door locks on my 2000 P38.

Sometimes, for no apparent reason the central locking will lock, then immediately unlock. Also I get an error message of 'front drivers door open' spasmodically. You can have been driving for considerable time when these may happen out of the blue.

They started happening when on a 6 week trip through the dirt roads of far west NSW and QLD.

I took the door trim off the drivers door and tried to remove the lock mechanism but can't figure out how to get it from the door.

Do I have to drill out the pop rivets for the window winder to make room?

My current guess as to the problem is the micro switch in the lock itself.

Any other thoughts?

[Keithy P38]

My 00 P38 and current Thor 99 P38 both did the auto locking thing at random! I noticed it happened when I drove past a local radio station and also when parked in front of my brother's house. I have learnt to love it and when people ask I tell them it's my P38's way of keeping everyone in for the drive.

I have noticed that the drivers door does not lock/unlock when the mystery occurrence happens!

[benji]

"I have learnt to love it" - lol; it's called character isn't it?

I had a similar thing happen last night, went over a railway line and a low brake fluid warning popped up.

When I did mine, i found by disconnecting all the linkages at the lock mechanism I was able to wiggle it out - but it did require it to be turned around - upside down...... and scun knuckes. Window up..obviously.
Have you got RAVE?

[Keithy P38]

Certainly is character!

I had a similar thing with the low brake fluid alarm, put 100ml in and she was all good! It appeared full to me but must have been a little low!

[ytt105]

I've got RAVE, but couldn't really find any tricks to getting it out. I think it said to remove the window winder mechanism but it was really talking about taking the whole window out, not just the lock.

[pigeon]

try the earth wire on the switch this can also give the same problem that you mention it is normally the door plunger that stops you from recovering the door lock once you get it out of position the lock can be twisted

[Fitzy2011]

I had the same problem and found a loose pin in a plug going to the mechanism. Don't ask me how it became loose as I had never unplugged it but it had come out the back of the plug as if it was pushed back out, if you know what I mean.

Try pushing all the contacts back into the plugs, might help.