201 door lock problem

[davidmash]

Hey everyone.

I have a 1987 190E 16v. The drivers door lock is oacting up and before I tear it apart I was hoping to get a hint of what I might be looking for.

The lock inside works. Push the door button down and everything locks, pull the inside door latch and it opens all doors. On the outside its a different story. The key will unlock the door but it will not lock it. The passenger door and trunk locks work fine.

It does seem like there is a little less reistence locking than unlocking on the driver door but the difference seems to be minimal.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[theairboy]

Sounds like your lock assembly is on its way out. If your car has the factory alarm it won't be cheep. If it is still working sometimes you can swap it over to the pass side and us the rary used one on the drivers side.

I think the dealer can tell you wich one you need with the vin# to give you an idea of what your in for.

[davidmash]

Originally Posted by theairboy

Sounds like your lock assembly is on its way out. If your car has the factory alarm it won't be cheep. If it is still working sometimes you can swap it over to the pass side and us the rary used one on the drivers side.

I think the dealer can tell you wich one you need with the vin# to give you an idea of what your in for.

It does have the factory alarm. Does anyone know of someone parting out a 190E. Im in TX and they are few and far between.

Thanks

[babybenz]

I did as the previous poster said and swapped the passenger lock for the driver lock as both of these had previously been replaced with dealer lock sets for $150 each. This is a pain if you have a wife or girlfriend whom you open the door for. I look silly opening the trunk to let her in the passenger seat. Call your local car stereo/speaker install shop to inquire about getting automatic key ring door unlock system. They are in the $150 range too. I wish I'd investigated the auto chirp chirp before sinking $300 into dealer lock sets. They cost more to have the key cut to match the ignition, otherwise you have one key for the door and one for the ignition, just like my old Chevy.
The tumbler can be fixed if the end piece is broken off. It looks like soft metal like pewter. There is a pic in this thread of that piece. Mr Maybach has this part for sale as he had it machined from steel at a metal shop.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=94058

[davidmash]

Thanks for the info. I guess when I find a day off I'll have to go digging in there.

One final question if I may. I remember while back I was trying to remove the door lock. I had the lock partially removed but it seemed to be held in by some soort of wire that was looped from top to bottom over the dorr jam side of the key assembly. ANy idea what this is and how to get it loose? I looked in the shop manual but it said nothing about that.

Thanks again

[Victor300E]

my drivers door lock doesnt work with key at all. To save time and money fixing it I installed used pager alarm/autostart and I never have to bother inserting key (espeacially at night) to unlock my car. You can find cheap keyless entry/alarm systems. Its the best thing I ever did to my Benz.

[babybenz]

David, you are correct. The wires are held up - out of the way of the tumblers by way of a tray/stopper that slides in from the door jam side. The wires would easily get pinched and damaged if they are left loose without this holder.
John

[theairboy]

Also those wires are the ones that tell the lock computer that you are the owner of the car and have just unlocked it with the key. Then it will dissable the alarm system.