W123 Door Lock Vacuum ?

[mrdjsk]

I'm getting acquainted with the 1983 300D I've owned for a couple months now and am fixing each of its various little issues. One of them is that when I use the key in the front passenger-side door, the door unlocks independent of the others. If I unlock or lock the driver-side door, all the locks work, so the front passenger door's only issue is when I try to operate the system from that one side.

What does this say about my particular problem?

Thanks in advance.

Doug

P.S. Absolutely love this car!

That's how it's designed, the drivers door controls the other doors but the passenger's door can be locked/unlocked independently without affecting anything else.

[ajcbgray]

that's normal operation.
The drivers side is the only master switch and the only one that controls the other doors. It does make a good excuse for when you don't unlock the passenger door for your wife/girlfriend before you open you own.

[mrdjsk]

Thanks for that info. Good to know it's operating properly.

[Dee8go]

What does it mean when the key will turn in the front passenger door lock, but it's difficult to turn, and it doesn't unlock the door? All locks work properly when operated via the driver's door.

[Cr from Texas]

Originally Posted by Dee8go

What does it mean when the key will turn in the front passenger door lock, but it's difficult to turn, and it doesn't unlock the door? All locks work properly when operated via the driver's door.

That's the way mine has always been - hard to turn. But it does unlock. I've assumed (and that's dangerous) that I was turning the key and the vacuum pod was trying to keep it locked.

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by Dee8go

What does it mean when the key will turn in the front passenger door lock, but it's difficult to turn, and it doesn't unlock the door? All locks work properly when operated via the driver's door.

It likely means you have a problem with the mechanism. My '85 is similar, the passenger lock is difficult to turn although in my case it does unlock the door. It also will lock the door but is even more difficult to turn so I don't use it for fear of breaking something.

Instead, I installed a remote wireless lock/unlock system. I bought the cheapest thing I could find on eBay ($20?), which came with an electronic unit (goes under the dash), two remotes, and four door lock actuators. Only one actuator need be installed, in the driver's door. You have to fish two wires through the rubber boot into the door for the actuator. The remote locks and unlocks the driver's door and that one locks and unlocks all the others. Works great, avoids wear and tear on the key and locks.

Jeremy

[Dee8go]

Mine might actually work, too. I was just afraid of breaking the key off in the lock or something. I wonder is shooting a little WD40 into it would work?