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MG MGF Technical - Removing door lock mechanism

HI folks.

My Central locking motor is playing up. basically my driver door is ALWAYS locked. When I open with key, or fob, it just pops back down again and wont allow me to open the door. Ive tried to remove the mechanism but to do so, you need to remove three torx screws attaching motor/lock to the door. But these are INACCESSIBLE with door closed. Yet I can't open the door!!

Any ideas. Can I remove it with door closed, or is there any way of overriding the mechanism to open the lock temporarily? Otherwise I see no option other than to destroy the door!!! Surely this cant be my only option?
I Brown

NO! You should be able to get beside the passenger door and operate the unlock on the fob. If the problem is only the in the driver's door mechanism, the passenger lock will briefly open before the driver's lock overrides it. Once the passenger door is opened you can get in and physically lift the locking pin to open the driver's door from the inside. Guess how I know?
Charless

Thanks Charless.


I am afraid its not that easy. even pulling pin up, it goes back down straight away. even if I forcefully hold it up, the door still will not open. Nothing will allow the door to open :(
I Brown

A while back this occurred with one of my Fs. An enthusiastic young assistant then attempted to rip the door handle off the driver's side. It miraculously popped the driver's door locking pin back up and has been locking and unlocking fine on the fob for more than a year since.
How about disconnecting the battery and unlocking the driver's door with the key?(as it sounds like an electrical override problem)
I never deadlock them under any circumstance, and if ever taking the door cards off always drown the microswitches with spray 3-in-1. Good luck,
Charles
Charless

Thanks again. Nothing would allow the door to unlock, powered or not. It was totally seized.

In the end I totally destroyed the unit with a hammer and a big screwdriver. Once the motor etc was out the way, I then "persuaded" the brass plate away form the mechanism and this allowed me to finally unlock the door. A replacement mechanism from the old F was put in place and it works fine ;)

Two days, many scars and a deep cut across my wrist (looks like I was trying to kill myself)and about £40 int eh swear box, but its fixed. Couldnt reconnect the keyhole rod, so it will wait for another spell of daylight but it all unlocks and locks fine again.

Thanks for your help
I Brown

Nice to see you back Broon!
Sam Murray

Thanks Sam.

The new F is better than the old one...but still throwing up the usual annoying issues ;)

Sorry I never noticed your post RE: clocks. I have had mine in and out many many times in the last few months as I have been replacing gauges with new digital LED ones etc. I also have a spare console etc to practice on. I gather you got it fixed in the end though.

I Brown

Yep.

Correct one arrived and managed to get it fitted quite easily with the console pulled out a few inches.

However, to my horror I discovered about 2 inches of water on the floor behind the driver's seat, so all the padding has been pulled out while I try to dry her out.

The car has been sitting outside over the past few months in all this horrendous weather, while I use the garage to restore a motorbike (long story).

A bit late, but got a waterproof cover now. :-/

Sam Murray

This thread was discussed between 15/01/2011 and 17/01/2011

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