MGF TF Drivers door won't open

Hi all,

I've suffered what appears to be quite a common problem on my 2002 MGF TF, the drivers door refuses to open. I have looked at many forums and as a result I tried all the door opening combinations suggested, disconnect battery, blip key fob and multiples of different re-opening techniques with interior handle and external handle and keys without success.

I have managed to access (with door closed) the interior of the door with little damage and peeled back the thin plastic door seal exposing the lock mechanism, I have tried to disconnect the plugs but it wont budge so resorted to a final option of hacking off the lower section of the door lock (plastic casing) removing the wire from this end (as I'm prepared to replace the unit) but without avail. My drivers door remains locked with a little play but no more. All the manual actions still work the mechanical section of the door lock remaining but do not release the door.

I have Rimmer Brothers on my door step so new parts are not an issue.

Any suggestions now on how I might get the drivers door to release its grip and let me gain access to the lock to replace it?

Andrew

I have recently fitted a new door lock / latch mechanism but that was with the door open . There are how to's on the forum that will guide you but you are hampered by having to do any work laid across the seats . There are rods that need releasing from the latch but this may not help if its the dead lock that's stuck . The cost of a new latch from Rimmers is eye watering ! Try MGF n TF bits , that's where I got mine from . Best of luck . John

Thanks John, yes I was taken aback by the price, brand new genuine part but still expensive at 199.00 plus vat! They are good on other parts in their defence and it handy if I need an urgent fix such as a radiator hose, customer service is very helpful in there defence too! But looks like I’ve sourced one on eBay! I will compare with your recommendation. I will try and look up the how to advice on closed door lock replacement as I’ve come to a grinding halt!

With regards Rimmers and my comment about the price , I would recommend them for any parts sourcing as they are very good. If you checked their price for the same part for a L/H/D MG it' was about £ 40 recently . If they can offer a similar part for L/H/D at that price how can they justify £199 for R/H/D ? Rip off!
Best of luck with the door .
John

The regular prices are what was set by Unipart way back when MG were a manufacturer.

Andrew how did you manage to get in the door without damage?
My driver's lock tried to unlock then locks very quickly with lots of clicking.
I'm down to the last resort!

I'm watching this topic closely now as I have the same problem. Drivers side door won't open. I've managed to get the card off but what do I have to do now? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Steve: beer: :beer:

https://www.the-t-bar.com/forum/25-adamelphick-s-guides/43407-passenger-door-lock-jammed-solved?start=24#44068

Adamelphick got his jammed door open, but unfortunately the photos are missing from his How to...

Hi David. Got your message. I'll try and find them.

Had a bathroom flood so been busy sorting that (while bathroom ripped out)...

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

Andrew,
regarding the door locks -any MGF MK2 door lock with fit any MGTF -the important thing to note is that the driver door lock must be the type with two separated leads not a single lead .
If you have the MGTF SCU type and you cannot open the door with the key (this usually works) the superlock relay will have stuck on and will need to be replaced in the SCU unit..
Can I assume that both doors have superlocked I wonder -if this is the case then changing the door loack will not remove the superlocking problem.

Let me know more and I may have more advice to follow -my passenger door superlocked but I was able to get in via the driver side

Mike

OK found the pics - it was back in 2012!

Attached is a ZIP of the ones from the thread

Actually I've just updated the thread to re-include the pics!

I had that on the passenger side. I replaced all pectron relays in the SCU, you can access the SCU behind the center console, under the radio.
I found a youtube where it shows how to do it.

You really need good soldering tools to do this without damaging the SCU, otherwise I would take the SCU to a specialist. (google is my friend : https://www.technozen-electronics.co.uk/mg-rover-pektron-scu-repairs-parts/)

With new relays the door issue was solved, and also interval on the windscreen wiper was working again.
So probably no need to take the door apart.