Technical Section (galaxy)

[gerrypm]

Hi,

 

I joined just recently after buying Galaxy GLXI 1996.

There is a wealth of information on this site.

Although I have had this car 4 days, everything has gone well, apart from the drivers door.

It's not closing as well as it should, I can live with that.

But, its now opening out on the road. It gives you a bit of a fright , when the courtesy light goes on and you hear the road noise.

Although it's held with the latch, you tend to get paranoid, and drive with one hand on the door and one hand on the wheel.

At first, I thought it was mechanical, now I wonder if it's electrical, because when it's shut you cannot push it open.

The drivers key doesn't do anything apart from going round and round.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Bigjeeze]

Have to say this is a ndew one on me! I assume that as the catch is holding there is a problem with the lock mech inside the door. I suggest you take it out and have a look! The fact that the barrell turns around suggest something ain't right!!.

 

I don't think it is electrical as that at best would only unlock or lock - not undo.

 

Good luck!! B)

[gerrypm]

Thanks for that information.

I'll be on holiday on Friday and will have a better chance to look at the mechanism.

I still have this niggling feeling about a electrical fault, because the door opens on flat surfaces and not necessary on bumps.

Thanks again,

Regards,

Gerry.

[El Dingo]

It sounds to me like you might have had an attempted break in. Is there any visible damage to the keyhole or nearby (such as a small hole punched through the door skin, or evidence of a lever used between the door and frame)?

[gerrypm]

I have contacted the previous owner, who says that the drivers door lock had been broken, and rather than install a new one , he put in a new central locking system with key fob.

So now its only the fob which activates all the doors.

I now begin to think that the system is faulty.

Which would explain why the door jumps opens without warning.???

Regards,

 

Gerry.

[dave_m]

i think more likely is a problem with the latch mechanism on the door, something is either worn or broken which is causing the door to release a bit. maybe vibration or when you go over a large bump.

 

A replacement shouldn't be too much from a breakers yard. use a bungee between the handle and the seat frame to hold it to give you peace of mind that it wont fly open until you get it fixed.

[mumof4]

i thought earlier that your pretty lucky you dont have this problem on a kiddies side door!!

 

could it be that the door itself is not sitting right???do you have a small wee gap when you do shut the door???

[Guest neil_wiles]

If you have done a search on the drivers door lock you will probably have found several posts.

 

The problem is likely to be the locking latch on the inside of the door lock.

 

It is a cast alloy latch which operated the central locking pawl and the auto open window switch when this breaks (which is regular) it destroys the spring and wont operate the locks or the windows.

 

They can be replaced you have a good dealer parts department.

 

good luck

 

Neil

[gerrypm]

I have now solved the problem of the drivers door opening out without warning.

I had a niggling feeling it might be electrical.

Guess what ?

I was wrong !!

It was the lock mechanism after all.

CONGRATULATIONS to all those who, stepped in to help.

You were 100% correct.

 

I had looked at the archives but there didn't seem to be anything regarding the door jumping out.

 

Perhaps I should take this opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Gerry and I live in Erskine, Scotland, Married with two sons aged 21 and 15.

 

I used to tinker about with old Landrovers. ( Series 2A AND 3)

 

I know that my Galaxy has another problem - O/S CV joint, but I will work that one out myself.

Judging by the quality of the responses from the Forums, there are a some clever people out there.

 

Thanks for all your help.