Ummm arr crap - Passenger Door - Def..

[Cameron_Def]

The little woman got in the car today, shut the door and thats where its staying ... for some reason it will not unlock or open .. the button actually feels like its not activating anything ..

So I can not open the door, I can not remove the cover (door is shut) is the only other option taking it off at the hinges .. or could I / should I call nrma to 'break in' ?

The key / lock does not turn around all the way, and the button / leaver does not go all the way up either! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Any ideas ?

[jx2mad]

Is your better half still stuck in the car?

[Cameron_Def]

Is your better half still stuck in the car?

Nah she climbed out over my lap ;) so it was not all a bad day ...

but now wondering what to do !!!! I think the hinges need to be removed .. what a ****.

[awabbit6]

I'm not familiar with the locking mechanism on Defenders, but I think that removing the hinges will probably not help. The latch will still be attached to the locking pin and the door can't simply be pulled off.
You could remove the seat to remove the door trim. Otherwise NRMA may be the best option (if the mechanism isn't completely jammed).

[abaddonxi]

If all else fails you can pull the surround from the lock lift tab and get access to the innards of the door through there. Replacement bits are pretty cheap.

I don't think you can get the door card/trim off without opening the door.

I've had a similar problem before, where the lock tab just won't work. It seemed to be due to accumulation of dust in the various bits of door lock. Sorted with a clean up.

I've also found that if you keep at jiggling the tab it will eventually come good.

Cheers
Simon

[Michael2]

Try using the "coat hanger wire" trick to unlock it from the outside.

You'll probably need something stiffer than a coat hanger (otherwise fold it double for rigidity). The mechanism is in the corner where the lock is. When I locked the keys in the Defender, I tried to do this for about half an hour, the RACV arrived and unlocked it in <30 seconds. When I again locked the keys in the Defender :confused: it took me about 5 min to get the lock open.

The Roadside Assist people have a hook just the right shape. If you do call them, memorise the shape.

Anyway, unlocking the mechanism will hopefully allow the door to open. One of the linkages in the door has probably come loose or broken. They're cheap, make sure you clean & lubricate all the parts when reassembling.

[loanrangie]

Nah, undo the hinges, they are external and then the door will just lift out. Then you can remove the trim and fix it.

[Michael2]

Nah, undo the hinges, they are external and then the door will just lift out. Then you can remove the trim and fix it.


NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
I think that the lock will still hold the door into place and you're only going to bend something trying to pull it off by removing the hinges.

[ladas]

The lock is a 'hook over pin type' and therefore will not allow the door to be removed when closed/locked.

[ladas]

I would be pretty certain that you could get enough of the top of the door trim off to allow you to get a wire hook in there to unlock it.

You would only have to open the top by 3 or 4 inches, and with the aid of a torch and good strong hook - tent peg comes to mind - and hook it round the latch bar.

[Cameron_Def]

Thanks all ...

Called NRMA .. they are coming over now .. but she was ****ty as it was only one door and not a critical lock in etc etc..

Reminded her I am a GOLD member, never used there service before and they should just come and do it as a MEMBER service ... so she agreed ...

From what I can tell .. the button / lever has come off thus will not work .. so as soon as I get it open I will have a look through .. its not a difficult thing!

Thanks for all your help .. FORUMS are always good ..

I will not even bring up the new issue I got with mine .. the clunking from the passenger right side...

[Dinty]

G'day All, The door locking mechanism on Countys and Defenders are anti-burst, so undoing the bolts that hold the door will acheive nothing other than you doing further damage to the door pillar and then you will have to re swing the door, try the coat hanger first good luck with it cheers Dennis:wasntme:

[Cameron_Def]

Ok found out what it is ... the Lever from the outside button does not return to its spot every time, thus not completing the locking system...

NRMA opened it ... I found out what was wrong with it ... now I got to work out why it keeps on locking up and not working... going to put some oil on it and see if that helps.!!!!