hi all,

 

as with my old Octavia I've got a driver's door not showing as open (or triggering interior light, lights on buzzer etc). After locking my keys in my car the other day (don't ask, luckily I was close to home) I decided to sort it out so that I don't do it again somewhere where I can't go and get my spare.

 

I've watched a really good video showing how to replace the microswitch alone but for £20 from ebay I think I'll just save the faff and try a new mechanism. I've done the job before on an Octavia so I'm comfortable doing it again, but before I do I wanted to see if I could get it to show any life with some WD40, as I've heard people recommend. Where exactly should I be putting the nozzle to reach the microswitch?

 

And another thing, for anyone who has expertise with that sort of small electronics - is there anything I can do before fitting the new part to preserve / lengthen the life of the new microswitch? Such as a dab of dielectric grease or anything like that? As I imagine that that's the part that commonly fails as it gets used the most out of all the door microswitches. 

 

thanks if you can help

I wouldn't bother with WD40, if it does anything useful it won't last, and I very much doubt it will.

 

The new lock should be greased in all the places that require it.  

 

Have you checked for broken wires in the hinge area of the door? Very common failure on mk2s. Might save yourself a fruitless lock change if you check that first.

Thanks, I haven't checked the wiring yet, I'm always worried with those big rubber wiring sleeves that I won't get them back on properly. Is a tool needed or is it just a case of squeezing in the right places? I'll check the wiring first before doing the mechanism. Is the wiring likely repairable if damaged? From a very cursory glance the rubber sleeve is seated well and isn't perished / full of holes.

 

If the wiring inside is in good condition, I'll go for the lock, but eBay seems to have some fairly similar items with different year ranges (I've seen something like 1999-2014 on one and 2004-2007 on another...) This is what I think I'll go for - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154156704665?hash=item23e474a399:g:inQAAOSw~VBg4zH- does anyone reading this happen to have the right part number?

 

thanks for the advice Wino

 

EDIT* If needed, it's a 59 plate BSW engine

Edited 21 September, 20214 yr by hebdenwill
provide more clear information

Not sure how the boot comes away on mk2s, squeezing in the right places is probably the key to an easy life, as with the mk1 design where rubber plus one plastic piece are designed to come away from the a-pillar together.

 

 

The boots that cover the wires are not too bad to get out. Get a flat screwdriver and insert it at the top edge work the rubber out. Once you get the lip free then you will see the connector. You can check the wires there but then you will need to check inside of the door. You can get the screwdriver and push down to release the tabs at the same time gently pulling. Or  if you take the speaker out (rivet removal though) you can push the connector into the door and then tip it to pull it back through the hole. There is a tab at the bottom also and maybe some big ones at the sides. I was replacing speakers so it was easy to see them.