Central Locking Problems - strange one

[acharles]

Just bought a 1983 280 SL :D . The only way into the car is the driver side manual keylock. Passenger side does not turn. The drivers side is so stiff it almost breaks the key but does turn if forced and triggers all the central locks properly. :(

Vacuum problem or just WD40 Job ?

Any clues ? :?: - I checked all previous threads and found no comparable symptoms.

Alex Charles
1983 280SL
Technical Novice

[NormanB]

Hi Acharles

and welcome to the forum. Reckon it is the locks.

As an interim measure you could try WD40 as a short term fix but better would be a proper lock lubricant which I believe is graphite based.

It depends on how long you are going to keep your car and how deep your pockets are but you may wish to consider changing the locks. Use the dealer for supplying the ones that match your current key and order keys while you are about it. From the age of the car I suspect PO swapped out passenger for drivers some time ago and you are reaping the harvest!

Before you pole up at the dealers take along registration document, driving licence, passport (if you have one), recent utility bill and a sperm sample (joking about the last one!). You need all of these to pass security checks.

Not familiar with your model but changing door locks is not rocket science.
Remember there is one thing worse than not having a car and that is not being able to get in the b******!! :lol:

Good luck and keep us posted
NormanB

[acharles]

I'll try the WD for this week and follow your advice. The drivers side is a new door so your thoughts on PO might be spot on.


Many Thanks
:D
Any idea of door lock cost ?

[acharles]

I wish they were all that simple ! :P

[Malcolm Brown]

Alex

For info, when you get the passenger door lock sorted, it will not operate the central locking. This only operates from the boot and the driver's door. (Unless mine's broken, that is!)

[acharles]

Given that the passenger side works on the central locking from drivers side - I might not bother with new locks.

Thanks for the info.

[acharles]

Can you get the central locking to work off a key remote ?

[Malcolm Brown]

I've heard from a couple of people who have fitted their 107s with electric central locking, with remote, in place of the vacuum system. I don't have any details - except that one of them used the existing vacuum pipes as conduit for the cables, which seemed like a pretty clever idea.

I've not heard of anyone fitting remote operation to the original vacuum system.

[Orlando 300E]

Hello,
Yes you can run an alarm remote central locking with a vacuum system :) . my old Audi Coupe had a vacuum system, the alarm was custom fitted with a servo actuator to trigger the system.
The actuator was mounted within the passenger door, acting as an "electric finger" on the door pin lock mechanism 8)
You need to find a good alarm specialist -should be a doddle for them!
good luck
O