Door Locked Closed

[mgf15]

Hi All,

I'm rather new to MGFs having come from the simpler MGBs. I was replacing the drivers side external door handle which had snapped, but was still working. I got the handle out fine, door card off, handle link disconnected, lock link disconnected, two screws out. While I was inspecting the broken handle, the door shut on its own, and now I can't open it. I've tried pushing and pulling the handle rod via the external opening, but it just seems loose with no resistance, and doesn't open the door. If I operate the fob or the manual lock on the door, its seems to unlock then instantly lock again. I tried the owners manual, but got no joy, it just confused me more. Never seen such a complicated security/central locking/immobilising system! Can anyone shed some light as to what has happening and how to get the door open. Passenger door is operating fine.

Thanks for your help.

BB

[mgf15]

Hello, can anyone help with this one? Thx

[Steve55]

https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/mgf-lo ... st-8813116

[Charless]

Hi BB,
I had lock problems recently - viewtopic.php?f=7&t=26557
Maybe some tips in here particularly MGF74's well illustrated post. Good luck!

[mgf15]

Hi All, so finally got some time and decent weather to take another look at this. Tried many of the ideas people had previously posted, will little luck except for this. I disconnected the battery. Pulled the plug to the lock mechanism, and used a 12v transformer to jump power to the lock. It did plenty of machine gun type sounds one way, and not much the other way. But suddenly after several cycles I saw the door lock pin lift up and stay up. Pulled the door handle and the door opened. Woo-hoo! One problem solved, but no cause yet?
Currently I can't start the car. The remote does nothing. It seems like I can lock/unlock the doors with the key but the alarm light stays on and if I try starting the car I get an audible warning and no start.Could that mean even though I got the lock open the SCU still thinks the door is deadlocked? Hence the no start? Car starting was never a problem before this lock issue cropped up.
Any further advise anyone? Thx

[Charless]

If a 12v transformer was able to make the door lock work properly, maybe the battery voltage is being dropped somewhere in the system - I am thinking the earth paths and terminals?

[Geoff.F]

Do you have the Emergency Key Access Code for your car ?? This is a Code whereby you press the lock and unlock on the fob in a numeric Code.

[mgf15]

I think the transformer just gave it a decent kick of amps to move the solenoid from the superlock position? Once I pulled the lock mechanism out of the door and operated the rods a few times the thing locked up again. So far the transformer hasn't been able to unlock it again. I think something might be broken in the locking mechanism?

No, I have no emergency key access code! I hope its just a sync problem with the fob?

[jonaf]

Have you reset the remote by pressing the unlock button five times?

[mgf15]

Thanks jonaf, does the door lock mechanism need to be installed and plugged in to do that? Its currently out of the car.

[nigelandjo]

You should be able to resync the fob without the lock being attached.

[JAGMG 2023]

Not wanting to hi jack this thread but I have a similar problem. The battery is fully charged, neither remotes will lock or unlock the doors, the key does. I have changed the battery in both remotes and they are reading 2.93v
I have tried the lock/unlock with the key and press the lock button 4 times with both remotes but the car still beeps when I try to start the car.
I have also tried the doors closed, pull up the lock plunger on the drivers door and turn the ignition key on/off/on
Still no joy. Any further suggestions?
TIA

[Charless]

Welcome aboard JAGMG, do you know any history of when the locks worked properly? 2.93v sounds a bit on the low side - should be around 3.2v for a brand new 2032. Also you can give them more than 4 presses to resynchronise the immobiliser after a battery change and it is best to try one at a time. You may need T4 or pscan assistance - local MG club is be your best bet.

[JAGMG 2023]

Not wanting to hi jack this thread but I have a similar problem. The battery is fully charged, neither remotes will lock or unlock the doors, the key does. I have changed the battery in both remotes and they are reading 2.93v
I have tried the lock/unlock with the key and press the lock button 4 times with both remotes but the car still beeps when I try to start the car.
I have also tried the doors closed, pull up the lock plunger on the drivers door and turn the ignition key on/off/on
Still no joy. Any further suggestions?
TIA

Just to update, turns out it was interference from a new 5G cell tower close by, Just needed to hold the remote close to the alarm receiver in the passenger footwell.

[Geoff.F]

And I thought that I was the only person to have this problem. I bought my MGF in Basle in 2000 and parked to take lunch. On return it was totally dead. The EKA did not help. I was parked next to a Taxi Office. Intending to take a Taxi back to the office. Instead I asked if they would kindly turn their Radio Off. Bingo. 1st turn of the key.
Later I checked the EKA. It did not work. Back to the Dealer who showed me how to do it. 3 attempts failed. The first two numbers were interchanged on the paperwork.