Sticky door lock. DIY job?

[jamesl]

I have been suffering the ‘sticky’ lock problem on my passenger door for about a year now. (Sometimes it wont lock, sometimes it wont unlock). Recently in the cold weather it got much worse. Last week I couldn’t get the door open, and then the next day I couldn't get it to lock. I temporarily fixed this by resetting the door/window computer - only for the problem to return the following day.

I understand from previous threads that the lock mechanisms are recognised as faulty, and Volvo offer a 50% discount on parts and labour (if you get them to admit it – my stealer wants the diagnostic labour fee before he will even talk about it).

Having recently reached the end of my tether with main dealers and independents, I have decided to try and do the job myself.

My question is, is this a technically difficult job? Does it require any specialist tools? Is there any way of getting hold of the part with the discount without having the stealer do the work? Any tips on the job are appreciated…..

PS: Does anybody know the part no. for the passenger lock mechanism??

James

I have just fixed a problem with a sticky door opener. I know that you are talking about the locks, however driven by the joy of fixing the first (driver's) door, I continued with the remaining three doors, and made some discoveries. First take the lock out from the door and clean it. There isn't much space but apart from that it is easy. I use Brakes and Parts cleaner. Now click the door locking mechanism into the 'closed' position. Inside the locking mechanism, you'll see a small lever (horisontal, about 1.5 cm long and round, which is pushed upwards when you activate/pull the door opening lever. Pull the door opener lever to see it meet and lift the 1.5 cm lever upwards to open the door. Once you let go of the door opener lever, the 1.5 cm lever must fall down to horisontal position by ot self. If it doesn't, the door opening and/or the locking will be sticky. In many cases the 1.5 cm lever over time gets turned as little bit upwards, which causes friction between it and the door locking mechanism, so with a screw driver, you can carefully press it downwards until horisontal again. Once you have dnoe this (or maybe the cleaning was enough) you spray the enitre mechanism with WD 40 and move as many parts as you can to ensure that it gets well into all connections. Good Luck, I hope that'll do it. Let me know if you need some pics and I'll go make some.

Hi Nille,

Would you mind to provide some pictures about the whole repair operation?

[warthog]

Some pictures of the lock and the lever you mention would be really useful. Thanks

My passenger side door lock is the same, ie... not functioning with the key.

Some pix would be great :-)

Cheers, Pete.

"Once you have dnoe this (or maybe the cleaning was enough) you spray the enitre mechanism with WD 40 and move as many parts as you can to ensure that it gets well into all connections. Good Luck, I hope that'll do it. Let me know if you need some pics and I'll go make some."

I used to use WD-40 on motorcycle cables and once I started, I needed to redo the cables every week. I did some research and learned that the lubrication in WD-40 is kerosene and evaporates in a few days. It works really well as a cleaner or rust breaker but I would not use it as a lubricant. Better to use a silicone based spray lube.

Regards
Doug