Locked driver’s door

2nd hand lock mechanisms from one of the respectable specialist breakers should be fine. These blokes know what they are about

That is a real bummer.
I was sure a good clean and lubrication was all it needed.
It sounds like a solenoid from what you describe with the clicking but I'm guessing.
I hope you find a s/h one that has been tested.
Good luck.

Ahh! The”machine gun” melody of the rattling lock.
What a complete pain. I bought a second hand lock, cleaned it externally, washed it out with switch cleaner and re greased it in readiness for fitting. Roll forward a few months and it was fitted (and I know what you mean by being difficult to fit - I had the thing in and out a few times becoming proficient at it . I’d say 10 minutes max).
Anyway replacement fitted it locks/unlocks on the door button, locks/unlocks on the fob button. With some trepidation I tried the super lock. Not sure if it is good or bad but that part didn’t work. So until I remove it again to disable that aspect I live in fear of pressing the lock button too many times.
Good luck with getting it out again.
On re fitting it might be worth “fooling” the system by “closing the latch” with a screw driver rather than fully closing the door.

Notanumber wrote:

2nd hand lock mechanisms from one of the respectable specialist breakers should be fine. These blokes know what they are about

The problem is that there’s not many about from the specialists. So far it’s eBay or nothing. 😢
 

TA22GT wrote:

That is a real bummer.
I was sure a good clean and lubrication was all it needed.
It sounds like a solenoid from what you describe with the clicking but I'm guessing.
I hope you find a s/h one that has been tested.
Good luck.

Thank you. 
I’m also blaming the solenoid and guessing it works but doesn’t have the oomph any more to pull hard enough. Happens to us all at some point I guess! 🙄
 

Delbourt wrote:

Ahh! The”machine gun” melody of the rattling lock.
What a complete pain. I bought a second hand lock, cleaned it externally, washed it out with switch cleaner and re greased it in readiness for fitting. Roll forward a few months and it was fitted (and I know what you mean by being difficult to fit - I had the thing in and out a few times becoming proficient at it . I’d say 10 minutes max).
Anyway replacement fitted it locks/unlocks on the door button, locks/unlocks on the fob button. With some trepidation I tried the super lock. Not sure if it is good or bad but that part didn’t work. So until I remove it again to disable that aspect I live in fear of pressing the lock button too many times.
Good luck with getting it out again.
On re fitting it might be worth “fooling” the system by “closing the latch” with a screw driver rather than fully closing the door.

Thank you. 
Wow, 10 minutes is impressive, it takes me far longer than that to assemble to tools and go out into the cold!
Closing the latch while the door is open is a great idea, wish I’d thought of that before I closed the door. 
I’m now thinking that whichever way I open the door, and what/whichever lock I fit, I’ll simply leave the plugs undone and remove the solenoid issues from the equation. 
 

When I say 10 minutes I mean with the door card off etc not just from a cold start with everything assembled and the door shut!
 

The locks tend to give a bit a warning before they go. They make a sort of 'whirring' sound prior to the 'machine gun'. Basically the inner plastic mechanism eventually fails and is not repairable. Once you start to hear any sounds, it is best to lock only using the key (on my car the superlock and lock occur at the same time, that is how it was programmed) and plan on replacement ASAP. This is what happened to me earlier this year. Of course, as others have said, it is best to make sure the lock is lubricated regularly to help ensure longevity. Replacement is fairly straightforward as long as you can open the door!

I find petroleum jelly works as good as anything on these parts.

Does anyone know what the actual difference is to locks of left hand and right hand drive cars? 
I’d assume the connections for the rod to the key turn but anything else? 
Driver side for RHD seem to be in very short supply. 
Is it not possible to replace just the solenoid? I’m going to have to investigate mine further once it’s out again. 

The system is a motor & gear train. It is dependant on the train to be synchronised for the mechanism to operate correctly (self evident) & like most inquisitive members who have these problems, I’ve taken one to pieces.
I’m only aware of one successful & long lasting repair, it wasn’t mine.
A while back a member who is no longer active stated & I paraphrase, “I’ve taken my lock to pieces & no matter how hard I’ve tried I can’t do a proper repair. I’ve done this so you don’t need to waste your time, buy a replacement “.
I would underscore this sentiment!
M

Door lock Repair    👈 CLICK CLICK

Many moons ago, Clive dismantled and repaired a door lock. His how to is very instructive...