Driver's door unable to be unlocked with key from outside - MOT fail?

anewman

Just installed central locking on my car, which can be operated by remote. Have managed to knacker my lock it seems and now the driver's door will not unlock from outside with key. It will lock fine and unlock and lock from the inside. I suppose it makes no odds to me so long as the central locking continues working.

Is this likely to be an MOT fail point?

Thanks in advance.

ariba10

I would not think the lock itself would come under the MOT.

As long as the door shuts and stays shut securely and safely.

anewman

I know for certain that if a front door cannot be openened by the handle from the outside (with lock off obviously) it is an MOT fail.

Keith

Nope, aslong as the door can be opened from outside (via handle) it will pass. There is no requirement for someone to be able to open your door with a key.

As shown by the smart card system used by Renault & Nissan

anewman

So I'll just worry about whether the CL keeps working then. I guess either spraying loads of wd40 in it killed it, or maybe when the CL worked it didn't fully lock, so when I tried to unlock with key perhaps it broke the mechanism? Oh well.

Keith

If the lock will lock via the doorpin inside the car and the central locking then it may just be that the barrel isn't connected to the locking mechanism?

If it's not locking via the door pin either then I'd try and find out why, as if your central locking fails you'll not be able to unlock the door. If it's not locking via the door pin or lock then I think it's one part of the system? It's been a long time since I opened up a door!

anewman

I suppose all I can do is get the door card off again. From what I can tell the key cylinder is supposed to pull up and push down a push rod. The key itself will not turn in the unlocking direction. All I can think is that something must be obstructing the lock from moving into the unlock position (upwards) or the mechanism for the key will not accept it to move in that direction.

harveybobbles

Keith wrote: »

Nope, aslong as the door can be opened from outside (via handle) it will pass. There is no requirement for someone to be able to open your door with a key.

As shown by the smart card system used by Renault & Nissan

Which happens to be irritating at times lol.

cyclonebri1

anewman wrote: »

I suppose all I can do is get the door card off again. From what I can tell the key cylinder is supposed to pull up and push down a push rod. The key itself will not turn in the unlocking direction. All I can think is that something must be obstructing the lock from moving into the unlock position (upwards) or the mechanism for the key will not accept it to move in that direction.

Disconnect the rod from the lock mechanism to determine if its the barrel or not. It sounds like it is, as you say you've given it loads of wd40 probably 'cos it was playing up?

anewman

Here's a picture of the inside



Only just thought now I've put the door card back on that it could be the pull rod on the lock as there is lots of thread showing. Perhaps it has come adrift and simply needs tightening up?

Or if it is the barrel itself - I presume I can remove the lock barrel by disconnecting it from the rod, and pulling the metal behind it to the left? Would I then be able to take it to a locksmiths to be repaired?