Can't lock driver-side door

[polizei]

I just got my 911 the other day, and I have not been able to lock the driver-side door when I am exiting the car. When the door is open, it won't lock. When the door is shut, I can't lock it with the key from the outside. The only way I can lock it is if I have the driver-side door closed and I reach through the car from the passenger-side and lock it.

I noticed a key hole on the inside frame of the driver-side door. I suspect that turning the key in there would "fix" my current dilemma, but the keys I received do not fit into that key hole. Any suggestions??

[radiosimon]

Can't help with the locking problem, but I believe the key hole on the inside of the door frame is for the alarm.

[BrentS]

Can you hear the actuator working (thunk) when you use your key from the outside?

I had a similar problem last week. The actuator was working but a plastic ball cup on the operating rod in the lock mechanism had shattered. I had to go in through the door panel to poke around and find the loose pieces.

If you have the same problem the part from our host:
964-537-571-00-OEM Operating rod 2 $3.25



Brent

[mthomas58]

Originally posted by BrentS
Can you hear the actuator working (thunk) when you use your key from the outside?

I had a similar problem last week. The actuator was working but a plastic ball cup on the operating rod in the lock mechanism had shattered. I had to go in through the door panel to poke around and find the loose pieces.

If you have the same problem the part from our host:
964-537-571-00-OEM Operating rod 2 $3.25

Brent

+1 on the broken operating rod. The nylon socket at the top end cracks. New part is much sturdier. Do yourself a favor and replace the part in both doors while you're at it. You'll notice that that unlike the orig part, the length of the new operating rod is not adjustable. Bentley manual says to loosen the actuator mounting screws and pull the actuator down to it's lowest position and then raise it up 2mm (ask me how I know)

Part #6 here:

[steve911]

Originally posted by polizei
I just got my 911 the other day, and I have not been able to lock the driver-side door when I am exiting the car. When the door is open, it won't lock.

I noticed a key hole on the inside frame of the driver-side door. I suspect that turning the key in there would "fix" my current dilemma, but the keys I received do not fit into that key hole. Any suggestions??

Porsche's design is that the driver's door can only lock from the outside - you can't open the door, push down the button and slam the door, locking your keys on the inside.

Can't help with why the key doesn't work on the outside. Just to make sure - the door has to be closed when you try and lock it from the outside.

Radiosimon is correct - the key hole on the door frame is the alarm. I believe that if you go to a dealer with the VIN and current title that they can order a new alarm key for you.

[svlTarga]

It was a couple of years ago when I chased down locking problems. On mine (an 88), the car can only mechanically be unlocked, to lock, the key triggers a microswitch and the autolock locks the car.

Might also be a wiring problem. Does the key turn and nothing happens? If you sit in the car and press the central lock button does the door lock?

-Steve

[Targa4now]

On my '81SC you can't lock the door using either the manual knob or button when the door is open. Apparently this is a feature and not a flaw.

__________________
Targa4now 1981 911SC Targa

[Jetjockey]

I had the plastic piece on end of actuator fail due to old age and could not lock drivers door. Taking off a door panel to replace end of rod is time consuming due to all the connections, speakers, window wires, vapor barrier etc. Once inside the door, search around for a disconnected rod with a broken plastic end. The end of rod is threaded onto plastic piece that needs to be replaced. Once new piece is on, it pops onto a ball shaped knob with a bit of pressure.