Door Lock Help

[ReubenG]

'81 rabbit pickup

my drivers side door will not lock from the outside with the key. It also will not lock when the door is open, using my hand.

BUT it will lock when I'm sitting in the truck...

new tumbler???

[ORCoaster]

Maybe just a pull apart and clean.  Once you get the door card off it isn't that much work to get the tumbler off and in your hand to clean it.  I soaked mine, an 81 Rabbit, in cleaner for a half a day and I was amazed at all the gunk that came out of it.  If that doesn't do it then I would think the key is worn and not doing its job.

Grinding another and not trying to make it perfect might add enough on the edges to get you back in the door from the outside.

Had to do that once as well.   

[burn_your_money]

It is impossible to lock any (I think) VW drivers side door from the inside with the door open. Even with power locks you can't do it.

Did that key ever work in that door for unlocking/locking?

You can access the tumbler by simply removing the exterior door handle from the door. Insert the key into the lock and take note of the tumblers. If any are sitting proud you can take a file or grinder and file them down smooth. Then the key should work fine. There are some good threads out in www land that explain what I'm trying to say.

[TylerDurden]

It is impossible to lock any (I think) VW drivers side door from the inside with the door open. Even with power locks you can't do it.

I agree... They are genius-proofed.

You can access the tumbler by simply removing the exterior door handle from the door. Insert the key into the lock and take note of the tumblers. If any are sitting proud you can take a file or grinder and file them down smooth. Then the key should work fine.

Yep. Sometimes, I will simply remove an offending or mismatched tumbler (wafer pin). There are enough to go without one or two. If you collect a few handles at the boneyard, you can usually re-pin the ones you use.

[the caveman]

the cylinder and door lock [golf tee] are 2 different parts of the door locks. The door will not lock either way if the lock is not in it's closed position[ door open or closed]. Take out the cylinder, it is worn, but can be cured by removing any tumblers that are sticking out when the key is inserted

[ReubenG]

excellent I'll take a look! 

Key works good in passenger door, so that's probably not the issue.

Pin functions properly as well, so must be the tumbler/cylinder

[bajacalal]

This sounds like the normal, factory intended behavior. You can't lock the driver door when it's open. You can only lock it when it's closed.

[ReubenG]

Right. Gotta fix the tumbler/cylinder