240 General: - Driver Side Lock/Central Locking

highpass · Dec 15th, 2015, 13:52

Hello,

We just picked up a 1993 240 estate with 127k on it, one owner, full service history... and a busted driver's side door lock.

The key won't operate the lock, whether the door is open or shut. It refuses to turn. Pressing or pulling the knob will central lock the other doors as expected.

Could someone explain what is going on with it? I got 100 off the price thinking that would cover the fix but after some lurking around the forum am not so sure.

Cheers,
HP

Bugjam1999 · Dec 15th, 2015, 20:24

Did someone try and break into the car?

I fixed a 'very' stiff drivers door lock by putting the straw from a can of wd-40 into the keyhole and spraying a considerable amount in... Then waiting a few minutes and doing the same again.

Might not work on yours, but so easy it's worth a try?

Actually if the key refuses to turn the lock, are you absolutely sure that the locks match and that is the key for the lock?

highpass · Dec 15th, 2015, 20:49

Hi Bugjam

It is possible that someone tried to break in, but the previous owner didn't mention anything along those lines. Not that he would have noticed as he left the poor thing to rot on his driveway for the last half a decade.

I had read somewhere that the lock-in plate/thing may have been engaged and might just need a push in the right direction. So after the WD40 that'll be my next step.

The same key opens the boot, passenger door and starts the car, but I suppose it would be possible for that lock to have been changed... that would be bloody annoying.

Bugjam1999 · Dec 17th, 2015, 00:06

Hmmm, if the lock doesn't look damaged I'd assume it matches your key and isn't damaged for now, just needs some persuasion.

Try the wd-40 through the keyhole and report back hoe you get on

Clifford Pope · Dec 17th, 2015, 08:40

Be very cautious about forcing the key. I had one break in my hand - I was just idly fingering it while waiting for someone and the blade crumbled to pieces. It seemed to be made of some kind of self-destructing material.

If the lock itself is reluctant to turn, and doesn't respond to WD40, I'd take the door card off and follow the linkage to see which bit is stuck.

Yaxley · Dec 17th, 2015, 19:01

Various suggestions in this thread:

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=195968

highpass · Dec 21st, 2015, 14:34

Thanks for the pointers everyone, i'll give the WD40 a whirl and go from there...

highpass · Jan 11th, 2016, 15:28

To clear this up, this just needed a spot of WD40 in the keyhole. Must've been from lack of use. Cheers

Derek UK · Jan 11th, 2016, 18:59

Oil it properly, WD-40 isn't a lubricant.

highpass · Jan 11th, 2016, 19:00

Ta for the tip. Will do

Dec 15th, 2015, 13:52	#1
highpass Junior Member Last Online: Jan 13th, 2017 13:06 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC	Driver Side Lock/Central Locking Hello, We just picked up a 1993 240 estate with 127k on it, one owner, full service history... and a busted driver's side door lock. The key won't operate the lock, whether the door is open or shut. It refuses to turn. Pressing or pulling the knob will central lock the other doors as expected. Could someone explain what is going on with it? I got 100 off the price thinking that would cover the fix but after some lurking around the forum am not so sure. Cheers, HP

Dec 17th, 2015, 19:01	#6
Yaxley Member Last Online: Oct 1st, 2019 20:08 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: London	A previous thread Various suggestions in this thread: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=195968

Dec 15th, 2015, 20:24	#2
Bugjam1999 Master Member Last Online: Today 12:00 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London and Cambridge	Did someone try and break into the car? I fixed a 'very' stiff drivers door lock by putting the straw from a can of wd-40 into the keyhole and spraying a considerable amount in... Then waiting a few minutes and doing the same again. Might not work on yours, but so easy it's worth a try? Actually if the key refuses to turn the lock, are you absolutely sure that the locks match and that is the key for the lock?

Dec 15th, 2015, 20:49	#3
highpass Junior Member Last Online: Jan 13th, 2017 13:06 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC	Hi Bugjam It is possible that someone tried to break in, but the previous owner didn't mention anything along those lines. Not that he would have noticed as he left the poor thing to rot on his driveway for the last half a decade. I had read somewhere that the lock-in plate/thing may have been engaged and might just need a push in the right direction. So after the WD40 that'll be my next step. The same key opens the boot, passenger door and starts the car, but I suppose it would be possible for that lock to have been changed... that would be bloody annoying.

Dec 17th, 2015, 00:06	#4
Bugjam1999 Master Member Last Online: Today 12:00 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London and Cambridge	Hmmm, if the lock doesn't look damaged I'd assume it matches your key and isn't damaged for now, just needs some persuasion. Try the wd-40 through the keyhole and report back hoe you get on

Dec 17th, 2015, 08:40	#5
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Today 12:45 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	Be very cautious about forcing the key. I had one break in my hand - I was just idly fingering it while waiting for someone and the blade crumbled to pieces. It seemed to be made of some kind of self-destructing material. If the lock itself is reluctant to turn, and doesn't respond to WD40, I'd take the door card off and follow the linkage to see which bit is stuck.

Dec 21st, 2015, 14:34	#7
highpass Junior Member Last Online: Jan 13th, 2017 13:06 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC	Thanks for the pointers everyone, i'll give the WD40 a whirl and go from there...

Jan 11th, 2016, 15:28	#8
highpass Junior Member Last Online: Jan 13th, 2017 13:06 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC	To clear this up, this just needed a spot of WD40 in the keyhole. Must've been from lack of use. Cheers

Jan 11th, 2016, 18:59	#9
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 14:29 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	Oil it properly, WD-40 isn't a lubricant.

Jan 11th, 2016, 19:00	#10
highpass Junior Member Last Online: Jan 13th, 2017 13:06 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: NYC	Ta for the tip. Will do

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