HELP - Door Lock Issue

[mikieg]

Suddenly, out of the blue sky, I was unable to open the driver's side door once out of the vehicle, in the "unlocked" position. I left the thing running to go and open the garage door, and when I went to get back inside, I found myself locked out, and no way to get in. The passenger side door was locked, the driver's side door was unlocked, the Vx was sitting in the driveway running, and I was unable to get back in. What a friggin' mess.

The key won't open it, the FOB won't open it - now, the driver's side door will only open from the inside.

Anyone have this problem before?

Thanx in advance for your help. mikieg

[RickOKC]

The plastic clip that attaches the linkage rod to the door handle might have come loose or broke. The green plastic clip below the "1" in this photo shows an example. The clip rotates onto the linkage and snaps into place.

In the case of the exterior handle, the clip is located near the handle and may not be green.

[Scott Harness]

Mine won't open now,on mine it's the outdoor linkage,not the white plastic piece on the indoor latch.
Fixed it once,but came loose again.
It's hard to get to.Ithink the window has to come out for easy access

[Riff Raff]

Is your VX still running in the driveway??? If so, try to create a blockage in the exhaust pipe to shut off the engine (potato, rag, stuffed-up the tailpipe etc). Do you have a spare key in the house to use??? If so, first saturate both door key holes with WD-40 and see if that helps while workig the lock back-n-forth. Are you able to enter the VX through the rear door with your spare key??? Replace the small battery in your key fob and see if that helps. Once you get into your VX, disconnect the VX's battery overnight and do a computer reset. Reconnect the battery in the morning and try again.

Next time; if you ever leave your VX running for a moment (to open garage door), never allow your door to latch. Either leave door fully wide open (be careful if windy, as the wind may blow door shut), or barely leave door cracked-open with your fingers without being latched. Never allow the door to latch while the VX is running at any time (gremlins). Hope this info helps in some way.

[mikieg]

Hi RickOKC - Thanx...but would it not be #2, exterior door handle? That's the handle that quit working. Even in unlock, handle simply pulls up but does not open door.

Thanx again.

Oh - yes - I was able to get inside and get the thing back in the garage.

[mikieg]

Hi RickOKC - Ignore the last brain-dead question...

Do I need to take the door panel off to get tht external handle linkage?

Thanx again.

mikieg

[MSHardeman]

This happened to me a few years ago, and the little clip was still available from Merlin at the time. I seem to remember that the clip I needed to replace was purple in color. Of course my mind is like a rusted steel trap now and I might be mis-remembering. I would need to see the mechanism in place to say what needs to be replaced. If you have the time I was planning on removing my door panel tonight anyway, and I could take a picture of what's going on in there for you.

[RickOKC]

Yeah, you'll have to take the interior panel off. BE CAREFUL! It's easy to break the clips on the black armrest that houses the window switches. There is 1 screw in the interior door handle and two more behind the armrest. Like Scott said, you may have to remove the window.

If you're not doing this right now, I may have some photos from when I replaced the entire lock mechanism and they probably show a view of the clip in place. I can post them in a few hours.

[RickOKC]

I seem to remember that the clip I needed to replace was purple in color.

I couldn't remember either so I didn't state the color! Purple sounds right, but another one was tan or brown.

[mikieg]

Hi Rick and MS - Thanx so much for all of your help...greatly appreciated.

Not doing this now...so no hurry...if you want to send me any photos, feel free to email me at mgyda@comcast.net

Thanx again for your very generous help!

mikie g

[VX KAT]

Don't know if it helps at all, but I have these pics of Tim (from SBC) removing my glass...thought seeing the angle might help you.

[RickOKC]

This is the view from the interior looking up. The brown clip is the connection to the door handle and the yellow is the key lock. The linkage going up to the upper left corner is the interior manual lock knob.




This view is looking down through the gap at the top of the door.



VX Kat's photos of the window reminded me that it would be a good idea to use a sharpie or tape to mark some points on the window to make sure you re-install it in the same position. Also note you may have a few washers on each side of the window - make sure you remember where they are located. This may only apply if you have the aftermarket window channel - I dunno.

[MSHardeman]

OK, so the little clip to the door handle is brown instead of purple....told you my memory weren't so good.

[VXjunky]

definitely try the WD40 first i the keyhole before tearing into the door itself...as Riff suggested

[RickOKC]

OK, so the little clip to the door handle is brown instead of purple....told you my memory weren't so good.

When did you say it was purple?