Door wont open

[Mikes2esprit1979]

After 3 years of ownership of my S2, 3 years off the road due to problems and working overseas , i finaly came home 3 months ago to fix it up and get it on the road to play before going away for 5 years again.

In the last 3 months ive spent just over

[slade]

don't know if this helps, but my passenger door wont open unless the key is in and turned all the way left.

slade

[Guest teigan]

i had a slightly different problem as follows:

the lotus esprits have faulty locking mechanisms in the door. if the latch is half cocked, the cam mechanism will self lock next time the door is shut. half closing the door can also cause a self lock. i've locked myself out with the engine running. twice. both times when trying to impress a girl. and you thought your life was cursed.

next time you get locked out, run to the local DIY store, and purchase a meter length of wooden trim/moulding. the profile should be an inch or so wide, and less than a centimeter high. without damaging the vehicle, you can pry the top of the door open just a slit and flip open the latch handle with the wooden stick.

as for your car, there may be parts on the lock which have rounded off. i noticed the brass parts on these mechanisms are peculiarly soft. if the other door works better, then compare the two sides and see if any corners are worn down.

if the locks are shot, then have upgrades installed. there are great electronic locks available that work off a thumbprint. that's what i'm ultimately using for my S3.

[jimmybondi]

i i've locked myself out with the engine running.

Edited August 5, 2005 by jimmybondi

[Jussi]

Sometimes I can't open my door it's not locked but it's stucked Now I have noticed that when you push the door deeper (when it's stucked) it closes properly and then it opens normally So it must be something with adjustment

[WayneB]

Sorry Mike, amazingly I have never had any trouble (yet) with my Marina / MGB robbed off door opening system. This might work for you though.

Reach up to branch on tree

Pull it off

Thrash the crap out of the car

Now you have shown it whos the boss

[Guest teigan]

How did it feel mate?

Don't try to impress a girl with your ride!

Thinking of the Shania Twain song: "That don't impress me much..."

no it was nothing like a music video.

twas more like a benny hill sketch, with an angry mob chasing me in fast forward motion.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Blimey!

Those busty ladies in bikinis can slap my head any time!

[matk]

Mike

Had this on my S2 also. Same symptoms as Teigan, locked myself out with engine running. Cacked myself as the radiator fans weren't working at the time and I'd just had a

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Teh actual door handles and lock mechanisms themselves are dirt cheap - about

[Splashout]

Yeah Yeah just wait toll your solinoids stop working Fishy LOL

(if you have a cable bypass then aghh shit you win lol)

[Jussi]

Is there any sense to change the door mechanism? And which parts are the crucial ones? My co-driver's door is sometimes so stucked I have to push it open from inside, it's embarrassing on some store's parking place (like half on hour ago)

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Im guessing the interior and exteriror handles themselves hold the main intricate parts of the mechs....

After that, it's all those pushrods.

Glyn... YEP! WAAAAY Ahead of you - got a nice failsafe intalled

[jimmybondi]

Is there any sense to change the door mechanism? And which parts are the crucial ones? My co-driver's door is sometimes so stucked I have to push it open from inside, it's embarrassing on some store's parking place (like half on hour ago)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The driver's door in my Excel tends to get stuck under warm conditions (sitting in the sun for several hours), maybe you have the same problem?

Excel uses Toyota parts (from MR2 I believe). They are made of plastic, so you cannot pull too hard on them...

[Jussi]

Esprit use's Austin Marina's door handles and latch. So better check if those are available nearest shop and probably get ones.

[Mikes2esprit1979]

I fitted new handles and mechs 2 months ago:(

[jimmybondi]

no it was nothing like a music video.

twas more like a benny hill sketch, with an angry mob chasing me in fast forward motion.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ROTFLMAO

[Paul C]

My S3, if i shut the driver door a bit too hard, popped out one of the rods

inside the door. This went from the external handle to the latch and was only

noticeable when you returned to the car and could not open from the outside.

I had to go in through the passenger side and then open the driver door (inside handle worked see), then quickly pop off the door lining and clip the rod back in.

I think i repeated this about ten times before i thought 'I know, i'll fix it!'.

[Guest teigan]

this is a question to the americans only. what shops carry a key blank for the giugiaro style door? i've been all over searching, but none of them want to track down the blank.

[WayneB]

I know you asked for an American to answer this thread but as non seem interested , a lowly Canadian will have to suffice. Companys like Victoria British and Moss Motors carry the blanks. It is a Wilmot Breeden key and fits TR7s and Austin Marinas . Take the blank to a locksmith( or Home Depot if you want to risk it) to get it cut from your master .

[Guest teigan]

been to home depot and many independent locksmiths. the employees are either too pimply or too wrinkly to locate the proper blank. i'd imagine they stock the blank, but they give up after not seeing it immediately. thanks anyway.

[jimmybondi]

German DIY stores have a device, looks like a small microwave oven.

You place the key in there and it will be measured by the magic box.

After 1 minute or so, it will spit out the appropriate blank no. if available.

You guys have sent the first free man to the moon and have hosted the olympic games in LA , you should be able to steal the blueprints from us to copy the machine

[watership down]

I seem to remember someone saying a Toyota key can be used.I don't know what year/model though

[WayneB]

been to home depot and many independent locksmiths.  the employees are either  too pimply or too wrinkly to locate the proper blank.  i'd imagine they stock the blank, but they give up after not seeing it immediately.  thanks anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tiegan, You get the blank from MOSS MOTORS or VICTORIA BRITISH

You then take the BLANK to Home Depot or independant locksmith and get it cut.

[Guest teigan]

so it's a mail order only situation? you'd think it would be something a locksmith would have considering all the people locked out of these cars, wanting a spare key. i'll ask the jaguar drivers where they go.