Problematic door lock P38

**Jace.Ward** · 21st December 2020, 11:08 AM

Hi guys,

I’m having trouble with my central locking (when unlocking) my P38, would love help from those who have experienced this, just so I can order the correct part...my first thoughts are a worn door latch mech.

Symptoms: When I insert my key and rotate for unlock (key buttons dont work anymore) the driver door lock pops up but the central locking doesn't activate a full unlock. When I open the door the alarm goes off but I can shut that up quickly by turning the key in the door. Then I close the door and re-attempt the unlock a few times, usually on the 8th or so go it does the job and unlocks/de-mobilises the car.

I recently disconnected the battery to reset an airbag fault, but by doing that I seem to have ****ed off the vehicle, now have some small problems coming to the surface like this one. Hoping to stay on top of my new rig and not let faults build up.

Would appreciate feedback, whether its a no brainer worn latch mechanism? Or more troubleshooting needed? It looks like I can get the new latch from UK for around $480 AUD, and I’m going into the door anyway to replace a worn window reg.

Cheers! Jace

**PeterH** · 21st December 2020, 11:42 AM

When I first got my 2001 P38, the door locks would start 'chattering', or jumping up and down on thier own while driving.
It started to get worse with the vehicle unlocking itself while parked.
This is obviously not ideal, so I replaced the drivers door latch and the problems have never returned.
I think you are on the right track with the latch, they can get a bit twitchy and you don't want to get locked out or immobilised at the worst moment.
I would be replacing the latch pretty quickly if it were me, before it gets worse.
They are a known failure part, not too hard to replace, specially if you are opening the door up anyway.
Hope that helps!

**Jace.Ward** · 21st December 2020, 12:28 PM

Thanks PeterH

Reassuring to know I’m on track with the probable fault.

Cheers,
Jace

**jsp** · 22nd December 2020, 02:41 PM

A job I need to do on my 2000 P38, drivers door lock causes central locking to chatter - particularly on hot days. Seemed to have tracked it down to potential bad solder joints on the potted PCB assembly in the latch mechanism. Might be your issue too as your sounds on and off.

**Jace.Ward** · 26th December 2020, 08:00 PM

Could very well be the same problem, thanks JSP, I’ll pull the door card off and check it out before I make the purchase of a new latch.

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