Hi all

I had an intermittent fault on the rear o/s door of my 02 Octavia, so I bought a new actuator and fitted it. Unfortunately it wasn't the correct one (despite being advertised as such) and didn't fit, so I had to fit a second... I tested it out before closing the door, and it made all the right noises when I pressed they keyfob, and the linkage that connects to the little button thing that sticks out of the door card works, but I closed the door, and now I can't open the door from the inside or outside. It behaves just like it's locked, even though I can hear it audibly unlock.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions how to fix it? Is it an issue with the pattern actuator I bought, and I should just write it off as third time lucky and get an OEM one fitted?

 

Thanks!

Edited 10 October, 20187 yr by JoeofLoath

Its quite simple -

The cable connecting the lock to to outer pull handle is incorrectly tensioned. The threaded end has to be set just right, or it wont work.

Great, that's easier than I was expecting. Unfortunately I put in the bolt that holds down the cap on the end of the door handle, the one you have to access from the end of the door.

 

Can I get the cap off without destroying it?

Edited 11 October, 20187 yr by JoeofLoath

If you check the other door lock threads, the step by step for un-carding the door from the inside is there.

Then you can fiddle the cables internally to pop the latch. I had to do it too after i swapped my door lock

I left the door card off thankfully. So I just have to reach in and jiggle the outer handle cable while I pull the inner one?

Pretty much.

 

Or, try and push/pull the outer cable from inside and get it to pull the latch.

 

I cant remember how it lines up though, been about 3 yrs since i did mine

Then, after you have it all pulled apart and ready to refit.... test it repeatedly with the door open. Use a screwdriver to close the latch and make sure it will pop from sides.

It may well be that the bolt you've done up to hold the handle cap in place is too tight or to loose.

 

I stupidly did this and did it to tight which meant the handle couldn't actually pull out enough to unlatch the door

 

Had no choice but to break it out and fit another one

Edited 17 October, 20187 yr by fwdnewbie
Spelling so bad it looked like a gypsy had written the post

2 hours ago, fwdnewbie said:

It may well be that the bolt you've done up to hold the handle cap in place is too tight or to loose.

 

I stupidly did this and did it to tight which meant the handle couldn't actually pull out enough to unlatch the door

 

Had no choice but to break it out and fit another one

 

You know, I did do it with the impact... It's a baby impact though, and it was only one ugga dugga...

Hmmm does your doorhandle pull out as far as it did before? 

@JoeofLoath

Have you fiddled your way back in yet?

Not had a chance yet. Going to take a look today, I'm hoping I can pull the linkage inside the car, then reach in with a piece of coat hanger and pull it further than the cable can manage.

OK, I give up.

I got the door open again without much hassle - just jammed some pliers into the lever where the cable from the handle attaches and it popped right open.

I then tested it many times with a screwdriver, making sure it opened and closed properly. Seemed a bit loose - it's like the handle is missing a spring, and there's no resistance until the latch pops, but otherwise all good. Put the door card back on, tightened all the screws, closed the door... And now it won't open again. And I can't fudge the lock because the door card is in the way.

 

Just going to take it to the garage and have him do it. Probably going to need an OEM actuator, I suspect the pattern parts aren't helping. It needs the cam belt doing soon anyway. Might as well book it in for both...

Did you adjust the outer pull cable?

Ive always used thw cheapest door locks I can find on these and I've done about 8 now.

 

Its one of the few things where you use cheap patern parts, they just need careful set up 

So after months of procrastinating I took another look, and the issue was a kink in the cable to the interior handle. Which explains why it opened and shut fine from the outside but not the inside. I didn't feel like buying a new cable, so I straightened it and squirted some oil down the housing, and it all works fine again now.

Shouldnt laugh but you have to love cars some times for what they do to us and our mental health 

Also.... you sussed it out yourself in the end,so saved an expensive wasted trip to a garage