Wife's car (2005 1.4 16v) that we have had a couple of months has an issue with the rear driver's side door. Discovered just after we bought it but I recognised this was a reasonably common fault so should be fixable. It's possibly worth noting that I still have our old car (2001 1.4 8v) that might be usable for parts.

 

Rear door does not unlock either with the remote or unlocking the driver's door with the key. It does unlock using the interior handle so I guess it is not deadlocked? In amongst all the various lock clunking noises it sounds like unlocks but then locks again - I'm just not sure if it's not different locks I'm hearing. I've not been able to time a handle-pull one-way through the club is to open it. Old car did not have remote fob, but boot switch appeared to die and not sure if that related back to door microswitch.

 

If it is actually unlocking/locking then I'd be ruling out a broken wire by the hinges (not to be ruled out yet but not checked), but does this sound more like rear lock issue or driver's microswitch?

 

I did replace one of the window motors years ago and think it might be a bolted carrier on the old car, but recognise the newer car one will need drilling, so would rather only have to do the job once

It's a massive amount of aggro to strip the lock out of the old car just to save £20 and leave the old car with a door you can't shut so you should just buy a new one on Ebay and replace it.

I know where you are coming from, but old one is being scrapped anyway....

 

Do you reckon it's more likely the rear lock?

Edited 7 June, 20196 yr by Me-109

15 minutes ago, Me-109 said:

I know where you are coming from, but old one is being scrapped anyway....

 

Do you reckon it's more likely the rear lock?

 

Yes, absolutely, it's a common fault, replace it quickly before it decides to deadlock itself permanently and leave you in a world of hurt.

Got a new lock/actuator off eBay. Was only a cheapie so durability might be questionable, but wasn't worth doing half the job to rip out the lock from the old car to reuse an old part known for failing. Sealant around door panel shows it has been off before but can't tell if the lock is original or aftermarket. No VAG branding, made by ArvinMeritor, but does have a 6Y0... Sticker on it.

 

New one has done the trick anyway. I used some M5 washers over standard m4.8x12 rivets as I didn't have any large flange head rivets. Much easier than front door and looks easier than rear door on old car as that has the operating rods for the pop-up button that the newer car doesn't have.

5 hours ago, Me-109 said:

Sealant around door panel shows it has been off before

 

 

 

Not necessarily, people seal them to stop them leaking. It was done to a lot of cars early in their lives.

 

Quote

but can't tell if the lock is original or aftermarket. No VAG branding, made by ArvinMeritor, but does have a 6Y0... Sticker on it.

 

 

ArvinMeritor is a genuine OEM lock.

Edited 22 June, 20196 yr by TMB

I was thinking it might have been a smear for the waterproofing fix and the sealant wasn't under the panel, but the state of the original sealant indicates it had been off before. Neat rivetting though. If that lock is OE as you suggest then it's likely that it was investigating a leak. Carpets seem ok so maybe no longer an issue.