Door unlocks itself

[SeaComms]

Hi,

My daughters VL has a very loose door lock on the drivers side, and if you jiggle the outside handle a couple of times it unlocks itself.

I have read an issue on another website that states an oversprung spring has broken but gives no pictures or ideas how to fix it.

Any one got any experience in this?

Cheers, Dave.


EDIT: Once I was able to look at it, after lifting the outer door handle, while it is coming back down the lock moves a small amount toward the unlocked position (internal lock slides forward about 5 mm each time), after 2 or 3 lift and releases it has moved far enough to effectively unlock the door. Thought I would add this in for future reference for anyone finding a similar prob.

[Bax]

Door trim off, window up, Have a look at what you can see.

I can't picture it at the moment, but I can't see how it'd really effect it- but I've heard of it happening before.

[Sabbath']

If the problem is to do with the lock why not spend a bit of money and change all the locks over for Solex items?

[Bax]

Why do people rate Solex so much?

[walesy]

what other aftermarket securety locks are there?

[SeaComms]

Contemplated the Solex locks - the door locks are actually in good condition (ie, dont seem to open with other keys) but the ignition can be started with a small padlock key...

Apparently the spring referred to holds the lock mechanism in the latch in either locked or unlocked position, and when it breaks its free to vibrate around. But just wondered if anyone had come across same and had a go at fixing it before I pull it all apart, in case there is nothing that can be done except replace it - otherwise I have to put it all back together again so she can drive home!!

[SeaComms]

OK - For anyone interested, the spring is apparently not available as a replacement I have been told which is absolutely rediculous.... however... I was able to see it and it looks quite easy to jimmy up a substitute. The spring is shaped like a sideways V with a small coil at the base of the V and pushes outwards. The spring is compressed when the lock mechanism is halfway between locked and unlocked, and stretches back out to hold the locking mechanism position when either fully pushed to locked or unlocked.

Since I will have to completely remove the latch assembly (which seems to involve a lot more than just a the 15 minutes I had) I simply wedged an inch long piece of 16mm square duct (a peice of wood would work just as well) between the rod from the internal door lock control and the inner skin of the door. It applies just enough friction to the lock mechanism to stop it from moving freely but is still moveable enough to operate with the key

Temp resolution until I can get the car off her for the day anyway! (although the list of things she wants fixed is starting to get too long for a day )

[lil_oneblue]

let me know if ya want a dor latch or someting. got a few here =).
cheers
jason

[Sabbath']

Why do people rate Solex so much?

Because they're better than standard locks, probabaly not much, but it sure beats any wanker with a commo key coming up and opening the car.

Found this out the hard way, lost my melways and the holden flag that i had on my parcel shelf (hiding cracked vinyl) which was signed by the great man Peter Brock taken one night and the car rolled about 3 metres down my hill with no sign of forced entry.

Plus some dozy prick from Tafe thought it was really funny to open my VL with the key for his VH and then put his club lock around my pedals so i couldnt drive off.

That worked until i came back and opened his car and then drove it around the carpark after opening and starting it with my VL key.


And yeah, i know they arent going to stop anybody who wants to get in, but they're alot better than locks you can open with a spoon

[walesy]

Plus some dozy prick from Tafe thought it was really funny to open my VL with the key for his VH and then put his club lock around my pedals so i couldnt drive off.

That worked until i came back and opened his car and then drove it around the carpark after opening and starting it with my VL key.

hahaha me and my mates used to do this... when we knew he was in the movies with his g/f i used my vl keys on his vh and just turned it around so it was parked 180 degrees from the way he did... laughed so hard at his face when he walked out and couldnt work out how his car was turned around

[mag]

OK - For anyone interested, the spring is apparently not available as a replacement I have been told which is absolutely rediculous.... however... I was able to see it and it looks quite easy to jimmy up a substitute. The spring is shaped like a sideways V with a small coil at the base of the V and pushes outwards. The spring is compressed when the lock mechanism is halfway between locked and unlocked, and stretches back out to hold the locking mechanism position when either fully pushed to locked or unlocked.

Since I will have to completely remove the latch assembly (which seems to involve a lot more than just a the 15 minutes I had) I simply wedged an inch long piece of 16mm square duct (a peice of wood would work just as well) between the rod from the internal door lock control and the inner skin of the door. It applies just enough friction to the lock mechanism to stop it from moving freely but is still moveable enough to operate with the key

Temp resolution until I can get the car off her for the day anyway! (although the list of things she wants fixed is starting to get too long for a day )

It's a problem common on those things (fords) , have fixed a lot 4 friends.
But it's same thing Yes it's that 5cent spring that's broken and as you said you can't buy them.
Just have to replace the door mechanism to fix it

[harry3]

I would ask a locksmith who specialises in car locks as they often have springs made up when no longer available

the main problem with commodore locks seems that the lock barrel wears or corrodes so that eventually any VL key can usually open any VL car lock
my VL key easily opened 2 other VLs that I tried it on
solex locks are used by some, theres a list of locksmiths who install them on the internet, but some say they have no dust covers??

an alternative may be to get all new VL locks and keys, if still available??

the VL is on top of the most often stolen model and the ease of unlocking them no doubt contributes to this
I have a case hardened chain and padlock from the floor that locks around the steering wheel rim, bolt cutters would be needed, the wheel rim metal, being springy would hopefully be difficult to cut thru with a hacksaw