I noticed today when I unlocked the driver's side door with the key it opened up ok. I needed to put something in the back seat & it was still locked. First time for this usually all the door unlock the minute the driver's door is unlocked with the key. I tried it later, and it opened them once real slow & wouldn't do it again. Do you have any suggestions where I might look first. I didn't know if there is a tank that might be leaking??

Check the fuel filler door vacuum actuator. You will need to pull the plastic trunk liner away from the area around there first, of course. That was the culprit on mine! Hope this helps

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Dale

It is often either the 'up' portion of the vacuum actuator (in the other three doors) or the 'down' portion of the v.a.

They wear out. Run your car and see if all go down when you're sitting in the driver's seat.

There are tons of good threads on the subject.

dp

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What I noticed it doing tonight when I went for a errand run, is that you can watch the other door locks go down after you start up the car. The drivers door lock will lock all the doors once, and then if you try unlocking they will open once, but after that there is nothing. I was reading some threads after doing some searching. I found a couple of good diagrams. I will try to do some testing when I get things rounded up to do it with.

That does seem to be a weak spot, I've replaced mine twice in 5 years.

First of all, what model is this? All you state is that it's a 1983.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Can you vacuum check at the T-Locations instead of having to take all the door panels off & the trunk? In one of the diagrams it looked like there was these "T" connections 3 or 4 way under the mats some place. I hate taking off those door panels and all that if I can test around it.

Is this a 190D? I know the tees are under both front mats on the W123, but I don't know about the 190.

Sorry, I forgot to mention it's a 240 Diesel.

It would be helpful for you and us if you put your year and model in your signature. That way, we can get straight to diagnosing instead of waiting to hear what year and model we're dealing with.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

It turns out the fuel filler door actuator was the culprit on mine to. I have a new one order. Thanks, for pointing me in the right location. One direction was ok on it but not the othere.

Hope you have small hands.

I noticed when I took out the vacuum actuator that it had a washer on the shaft on the rear & a spring. I am assuming it had a washer on the front side as well. I thought maybe it fell off taking it out of the slot location. Do you know if you get the spring on the new one or not?

Last time I bought one, it did not come with the spring and washer(s). I don't remember if there was a washer of the outside of the spring or not, maybe someone else remembers. I assume you could use a generic washer if you need one.