Locked Out!?

Hi there,

Does anyone out there know what could have caused the following:

Last night I got home and locked ("Superlocked") my P38 as normal. Yet, this morning when I went to open it something strange happed. I pressed the "open" button on the remote and as normal the clunk was heard and my wife and father got in, but as I went to open the driver's door I found that it would not open. I found this odd so I re-locked and the re-unlocked, but the same thing happened. Every other door and tail-gate opened without a hitch, but the driver's door wouldn't, not even from the inside.

I took her straight up to my local mechanic and after a good long investigation we could see that there was no broken cable or anything like that. As we couldn't get the door open we couldn't get the door panel off to do a further check and at the moment we are at a complete loss to what it could be. Saying that I have been wondering if the driver's door "superlock" system has fouled up somehow, but then again if that was so why would the lock switch on the inside on the door pop up when I press the un-lock button. I doesn't make sense.

Any feed back would be a help.

All the best,

Phil

The latch has failed, I've seen this a few times and it can be an expensive repair.

There is a bulliten from lr for this and it tells you how to open the door, their way has never worked for me but i'll explain how to do it in case it works for you..........

Remove the weather strip from the bottom of the window
Shine a torch down the door at the latch and you'll see a white plastic tab on the latch, break this tab off with a long screwdriver and a hammer, the door will open (apparently!!)

Liike I said, it's never worked for me

my way of doing it (which always works, with authority from the customer)

Break the interior door pannel off (it's the only way)
Remove the inner door water shedder
without wrecking the door itself, smash the latch to bits with a hammer/crowbar/screwdriver/die grinder or whatever takes your fancy
The door will now open
Renew all the parts you've broken

Sounds harsh but it's the only way you'll do it

The last one I did took 3 hours to get the door open

Thanks Clutchdust,

That bit about breaking the white plastic tab sounds like what I've read elsewhere.

If that fails they also say that you can smash the "bolts" holding the the main lock in place. Sounds much the same as what you mention.

Anyway, thanks for the advise, will see if we can put it to use in a couple of hours time.

All the best,

Phil

Or you can use a hacksaw blade to cut the loop that the latch grips,open the rear door for better access.Protect the area around the cut with a few layers of gaffa tape.Takes about 1/2 hour,and all you need is a new latch and loop - or you could weld the loop back together if you are feeling "careful".

Hi Phil!
I feel for you,have had the same on my p38,twice now (passenger and drivers side) Im no expert,but the easiest way i found....Literally 15 mins work and less chance of damaging anything surrounding is ...
Door Lock Failure: Getting the Door Open (4.0/4.6/p38A)

Is a lot easier than it sounds/reads, but be warned if you do resort to this...Im sure the lock is useless from then on,and so i had replacemnet lock in hand..£150 new from LR....3 Torxs and locks in...Simple but expensive job im afraid.
Hope this is any help
Tel