Thread: lock trouble
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Old 07-11-2005, 02:57 PM
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83mercedes 83mercedes is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gainesville, FL
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Vacuum problems require extensive diagnosis

Quote:
Originally Posted by retro80sdude
i know that when i lock the driver's door with the key all the doors are supposd to lock, but mine don't. is there any easy way to fix this?
There's no "easy" fix. The door locks on these vehicles are controlled by vacuum generated at a belt-driven pump rather than across the intake manifold as in gassers. Vacuum is also used (dependent on model) for transmission shifting, EGR operation, assisted braking, AC system, engine shutoff, and possibly others that I'm forgetting.

Anyways, the point is, a screw-up in any of these systems can cause a screw-up in all of the systems due to the finite amount of vacuum being produced and it being eliminated upon introduction to normal atmosphere.

So, the first questions in diagnosing this problem are:

1. Are you having hard shifts?
2. Does your engine shut off as soon as you turn the key to "off" position?
3. Do your door locks work intermittently or not at all?
4. Does it feel like you have to push your brake pedal excessively to get it to slow down?
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1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)
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