Door Lock Problem

Binks · Postby **Binks** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:48 pm

Hi guys i am having a problem with my door for my NA6.

When i try to lock my driver side door i have to twist the key hard to get it to turn into locking position but when i unlock it itworks smoothly, so only locking is the problem.

I tried locking from the inside but then it just makes it worse. I wont be able to unlock the door normally, i have to lock it first then unlock it to get the door to work.

I dont want to keep twisting the key hard because i dont want it to snap or bend.

Please give me some advice.

Thanks,
Henry

Chuppa · Postby **Chuppa** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:58 pm

Sounds like something is a little bit loosey-goosey in there.

I recently had an issue with my NA6 drivers door in that I couldn't open it with either the key or the internal lever. Turns out there is a spring located at the top of the internal latch (the bit on the rear of the door that actually 'locks' on to the catch). Mine had broken and disappeaed - probably not there when I bought the car I think as the lock was always a bit iffy to unlock.

This may be related to your issue as you mention that the behaviour is the same whether you use the key or the internal slide lock? There are all manner of rods connecting handles to the latch and more if the car has central locking so it can be a bit confusing to see what does what in there.

With a good torch you can peer down inside the door to see if the spring is OK - compare it to the passenger side, Oh and you'll prolly have to take off the door card o get a reasonable view - three screes in the arm rest and one in he door handle and it should pop off.

I took some pics of the latch mechanism when I had it out of the car, so I can post those if you want.

Good Luck,

Chuppa

Binks · Postby **Binks** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 12:21 am

Thanks for that Chuppa. Please do post some photos as reference for me. Going to work on my interior on the weekend so ill sus this door out

A.Chen89 · Postby **A.Chen89** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:51 am

Just pop off the the door card (a few trim clips and a couple of screw drivers) and then have a look at the door lock linkages/lock. Pretty easy to do, should give you a definite idea of what's wrong.

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:11 am

Info about the door spring that tends to break ..

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=34043

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/269.aspx

Chuppa · Postby **Chuppa** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:51 pm

Okibi wrote:Info about the door spring that tends to break ..

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=34043

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/269.aspx

Nice links + pics Okibi!

Here are a few more from my car:

View from the top of the passenger door with the door card removed.

Drivers side latch assembly removed. Red circle is where the spring should hook into. Latch is shown in the 'door unlocked' position. Blue circle shows how the rod from the door handle (not in picture - clips into white bracket at top left of pic) pushes down to unlock the catch.

Latch is shown here in the 'door locked' position. The red circle shows where the latch assembly can sit if not returned to its normal position due to a missing spring. This is what happened to me. When the door was unlocked it moved the release mechanism against the part it was supposed to push down on. (Blue circle). End result was both parts jammed together with no way to unjam without getting my hand in there - which is tricky with all the rods in the way.

You don't need to remove the lock to fix, I just felt like doing it this way.

Cheers,

Chuppa

Binks · Postby **Binks** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:31 pm

Alright looked down my door and found out it was the door spring problem. Problem now i cant get to it because of the tight squeeze and its in a awkward / jammed position.

davidau · Postby **davidau** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:38 am

vsxx wrote:Alright looked down my door and found out it was the door spring problem. Problem now i cant get to it because of the tight squeeze and its in a awkward / jammed position.

let me know if you still have problems. I know a guy in Dandenong specialised in door lock. Dunno what he do for work in his previous job lol. With my last MX5 I had the same problem and he disassembled the whole lock in few seconds and restore it for me. He charge really really cheap and he is also a trade Mechanic works in Box Hill.