Door not unlocking

[irondoc]

Hi guys

My driver and front passenger doors are intermittently not unlocking. 2011 D4. I unlock the fob, hear something happening, but when I pull ont he handle, nothing. I have to press unlock maybe 5-6 times and eventually i can open it.

Sometimes the drivers door won't open, but the passenger one will. Sometimes the other way around. once the tailgate wouldn't open.

Has anyone had this happen. because it is not just one door i thought it might be a more "central" problem rather than the individual door locks. maybe it is the wet weather...

any thoughts appreciated
cheers
lucas

[SBD4]

Next time you experience the problem on a particular door, go to the other side of the car and look through the window so you can see the locking latch on the offending door(s). See whether or not the latch is moving properly. It most likely is not. There is an issue with the mechanism sticking which prevents the door from unlocking properly. You should be able to get it sorted on warranty.

[irondoc]

Thanks Sean - the latches appear like they are trying to move but are getting stuck. If I repeatedly press the control, they move a bit more and eventually open.

Cheers
Lucas

[jonesfam]

I have 1 door that's NOT locking, the lock is probably full of red dust, I wonder if WD40 might help or if I should start pulling trim off?
Jonesfam

[Canaussie]

Mine also does this but just on driver door, I'm curious what will require replacement or lube to get it going, sometimes it locks and sometimes it doesn't. I can get it to open after pressing the unlock three or four times!

[kenl]

I too am having this problem with my passenger side door, generally won't unlock with the key button so I have to manually open from the inside.

Using the key manually in the handle from the outside does unlock it though.

At times the door doesn't lock but you only find that out when someone opens the door before the button is pushed and the alarm sounds.

I would love know the fix because it's the only problem I have with the car.

[SBD4]

This write up on disco3.co.uk is to replace the mechanism on a D3 but I'm sure it'll be similar if not the same for a D4:

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Replacing door latch / window regulator - Now with guide (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic33743.html)

[BMKal]

I have 1 door that's NOT locking, the lock is probably full of red dust, I wonder if WD40 might help or if I should start pulling trim off?
Jonesfam

If red dust is causing the problem, WD40 is probably one of the worst things you can use. May provide a temporary fix, but longer term, will just attract more dust to build up.

I'd be pulling off the trim and cleaning it all up, and then if necessary apply a dry lubricant (I've always used graphite powder in lock assemblies) which will not cause more dust to stick to it.

[irondoc]

I took my car to the dealer, but they couldn't find anything wrong.

My suspicion is that it was the really wet weather we have had in Sydney. It hasn't rained for a few days, and the car has been unlocking perfectly...

I still can't explain it though. The fact that different doors (and the tailgate) were not unlocking at different times points to some sort of central control module failing to me, or maybe moisture getting into the doors somehow..... but all seems sorted now.

Cheers
Lucas

[PerthDisco]

I have just replaced the drivers door lock actuator as per the excellent guide referenced above on the Disco3 website. Youtube has detailed videos of how to remove the door card.

It went very smoothly and took about 1.5 hours. Pays to have the Ipad close at hand to read up on the tricky bits.

Part cost $150 so a big saving by DIY.

In my case the door was not locking. This is the second door (RH Rear) that went this way. You only find out on the day you open the door forgetting that you have pressed lock on the fob and the alarm sounds. It could have been this way for a long time.

Some say these only last 3 years.

My suggestion is that all D3/D4 owners test their doors as no doubt many of you will have unlocked doors when you think they are locked.

I would be interested to hear how many find they have a problem.

[Narangga]

Took roughly 2 hours last night to change my drivers door lock.

It was certainly easier to deal with the glass having someone else to hold/lift it when unclipping it from the regulator.

Fortunately my left arm was small enough and long enough to reconnect the electrical plug to the lock once I realised I had forgotten to do so - after replacing the regulator and glass :wallbash: