driver door lock issue & questions

[novadmc]

noticed a new issue with my driver door lock.

when trying to get into the car when locked:
unlocking with the key, the car unlocks, but when getting in, the interior lock rocker button is only 1/2 way in the unlock position. this has caused the doors to start to lock/unlock on their own once i'm in and the doors are shut.

this action stops once i manually re-lock and then fully unlock the doors with the interior lock button.

-additionally, when unlocking via the drivers door (exterior), the passenger door does not always unlock.
-interior locking/unlocking does not exhibit any of these issues and works as expected.

for now, until i figure out what's ticking off the driver door, ive removed the door lock module (its an upgraded unit from DeLorean One (rev. B).
with the module removed, unlocking the driver door from the outside still results in the interior driver lock rocker button only being 1/2 unlocked - causing me to have to rock the switch locked/unlocked again (but at least no more auto locking symptoms).

any ideas before i tear into the door (ugh)?


additionally, should the driver's door, when locked, auto-unlock when attempting to open the door from the inside? it seems like it wants to as when i lift the handle to open the locked door (inside), the lock button begins to move to the unlocked position, but as stated before, stops about 1/2 way. (i can then manually unlock it and operated the door as normal).

thanks and happy new year!

[sdg3205]

noticed a new issue with my driver door lock.

when trying to get into the car when locked:
unlocking with the key, the car unlocks, but when getting in, the interior lock rocker button is only 1/2 way in the unlock position. this has caused the doors to start to lock/unlock on their own once i'm in and the doors are shut.

this action stops once i manually re-lock and then fully unlock the doors with the interior lock button.

-additionally, when unlocking via the drivers door (exterior), the passenger door does not always unlock.
-interior locking/unlocking does not exhibit any of these issues and works as expected.

for now, until i figure out what's ticking off the driver door, ive removed the door lock module (its an upgraded unit from DeLorean One (rev. B).
with the module removed, unlocking the driver door from the outside still results in the interior driver lock rocker button only being 1/2 unlocked - causing me to have to rock the switch locked/unlocked again (but at least no more auto locking symptoms).

any ideas before i tear into the door (ugh)?


additionally, should the driver's door, when locked, auto-unlock when attempting to open the door from the inside? it seems like it wants to as when i lift the handle to open the locked door (inside), the lock button begins to move to the unlocked position, but as stated before, stops about 1/2 way. (i can then manually unlock it and operated the door as normal).

thanks and happy new year!

You need to complete the lock and latch TSB. This solves almost all lock issues. Other issues are often weak or bad solenoids, DLM relay failure (but not in your case), striker pin alignment or dirty contacts.

There is no auto-unlock. If the door is locked, attempting to open the door from inside will not unlock the door.

[novadmc]

You need to complete the lock and latch TSB. This solves almost all lock issues. Other issues are often weak or bad solenoids, DLM relay failure (but not in your case), striker pin alignment or dirty contacts.

There is no auto-unlock. If the door is locked, attempting to open the door from inside will not unlock the door.

that's what i figured. and thanks for the clarification.

I haven't taken the door panels off yet so it'll be a new experience for me to finally have to perform this procedure. I assume there's no harm leaving the DLM out whilst performing the procedure.

now to just find the time to do it :p


as an aside, figured id post pics of the DeLo ONE DLM:
48116 48117

[PJ Grady Inc.]

It's very likely you have weak solenoids. It's not clear to me if your driver solenoid is also hanging up from your initial description. Your second issue match's a bad passenger solenoid. A weak unlock on the P/S is the most common failure mode because when unlocking from the driver side the that side is manually assisted but the passenger side is not. Check the rod adjustments, bell-crank contacts, and all wire connections first. You can test a solenoid by checking its push/pull strength will jumping with 12 Volts. If needed we stock reconditioned solenoids that are stronger and more reliable than NOS.
Rob

[Gregadeth]

I was having some similar issues about a year ago. Even after fixing my Lockzilla. What ended up fixing everything was spraying WD-40 on parts of the latches and rods that are inside the door. It's worth a shot. Mine hasn't given me a single issue ever since. You may have to slightly adjust one or two of the rods like I did, but it's not that difficult.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I was having some similar issues about a year ago. Even after fixing my Lockzilla. What ended up fixing everything was spraying WD-40 on parts of the latches and rods that are inside the door. It's worth a shot. Mine hasn't given me a single issue ever since. You may have to slightly adjust one or two of the rods like I did, but it's not that difficult.
You had to fix your Lockzilla? I've never heard of such a thing! ;)
Rob

[David T]

Typically, when you have "issues" with the door systems the only way to fix it right is to go over both doors completely. Starting with replacing the door seals if necessary, removing, cleaning, lubricating and reinstalling all 4 latches, adjusting the anchor pins so both latches achieve 1st and 2nd locking position simultaneously, and finally going over the whole door linkage adjustment procedure. You may also need new struts and torsion bar adjustments. When you can't move the rocker all the way the lock position it usually means one of the latches in the door is not in second locking position. Forcing the door to lock means you have bent some of the rods inside the door. A "weak" solenoid can be because of things sticking from old grease but it can also mean it is burnt up inside and can't pull with full power. Just replace it, or rewind it, or go to power actuators. A Lockzilla can make a weak solenoid work but it can't make it work right. Till you can fix it the best thing to do is disconnect the Central Locking System by unplugging the door lock module and removing the big red wire from the circuit breaker. Be careful when working inside the doors, cover the edges of the S/S with duct tape to prevent cutting yourself.

[Chris4099]

Since nobody has posted this yet, here's the service bulletin regarding how to adjust the door locks:
http://dmcnews.com/bulletins/ST-10-8.81.html

Definitely keep the lock module disconnected. Trying to troubleshoot or fix the electric door locks is nearly impossible with misaligned latches. Once all is aligned and you can easily lock/unlock each door from both inside and outside, move on to the electrics (if necessary).