P38 Drivers Door Handle Problem...Advice Please.

I haven't posted here for a long while, but not had any problems until now, I'm after some advice/knowledge.

Last weekend I unlocked the Range using the keyfob pulled on the handle and the door stayed closed....bugger...so far I've not had the time to pull the door trim.

I can still lock/unlock the door with the keyfob and manually with the key, I have to open the rear door and then use the interior handle to open the front door.

Has anybody had this problem before, an idea of which part had died, door handle assembly, connecting rod/link or the doorlock itself, please?????

As I will not have time to have a look until after Christmas..

Lots of stuff on door handle problems on Range Rovers

Sub zero temps can make the locks play up although probably one of the rods popped off. Quite a simple fix if it is. As I recall one of the rods has a plastic catch on it which can jump off or snap. Need to take the card off to check. Remember the hidden screw behind the small corner speaker! If it is the loop on the back of the handle itself then a new handle is needed. Main dealer has to have one made to the key and it's only about £40 for the unit so not desperately dear.

I just had a similar problem with the internal handle. Turned out the cable had snapped at the latch end. I think the external handle operates via a rod.

It's a right bugger to see anything at the latch end though, even with a mirror and a torch. I found the only way to access anything was to undo the door latch which allows it to move enough to be visible.

Guy

I just wondered if there was a common failure point in the linkage, brother-in-law has a 98 Disco which broke a small spring in the latch assembly last year, which gave similar fault and appears to be a common Disco fault.

Its down to a careful strip over the holidays then......

Rave has some just about adequate pictures of the latch and linkages which might help you try to figure it out before you start.

Rangerovers.net has some photos which are much more helpful.

Guy

Just taken mine apart yesterday, the symptoms that you have described were identical.
The door handle is the easy bit to get to, but its has 2 rods, the only way to really check out the prob. is to take off the door card and gain access that way. Be careful with the membrane. The latch is a pig to undo and get out. Be very careful with it as the electronics inside it control even the boot lock. It will cost you £136 plus tax to replace.
My door handle was the problem. A small pin was missing and the lever which is spring loaded has twisted over. As a temp measure I replaced the pin with a cutting off a wire coat handle. To get a new handle the dealer wants to see V5 doc and its a special delivery too, 2 weeks delivery. The best bit is it only costs £36 plus tax. so its worth it. Best to grease up everything as you put it back together, this should give a bit more life to the rest of the mechanism. Good luck as it can be a costly one. Oh if the lock completely breaks then you got probs. I've left my card off till I do the permanent repair, this way I'll be able to open the door.

Just found the part online that I need to fix my handle mechanism, its a 'door lock cam kit', its only £2.40 plus tax and delivery, genuine land rover. So the repair migth be less expensive than you think. See 'britishparts' web site

Be careful when taking the handle off the rod that goes from the lock lug to the door actuator is held in place by a metal spring clip and if you try and force it the lug can snap and then its a new lock (I took mine to bits and repaired it) the easy way to get it off is to release the screw holding the handle first and disconnect from the outside not from the inside - good luck also check the 3 micro switches one does the door open/closed one the cental locking and one the key they are all together on a block inside the actuator

the door lock cam kit only resolves the handle not seating properly when you let it go no harm in replacing it - I filed mine down to take the ridge off