My neighbor locked the keys in his 90 244 last week. When AAA showed up to unlock the car they used a slim jim on the rear passenger door. They got the car open but now the rear doors will not open. They act as though they are locked even though the door lock posts are in the up postion. Both the back doors are like this.

Does any body have any thoughts on this. We took the door panels off his other 240 to try and find out what is happening, but no luck.


Thanks
Mark

When I bought the 1986 244GL I now drive, it had the same problem. RR door would not open, no matter what I did. Knob up or down, use driver's door to open/lock, use handle inside or outside.

The PO told me it was like that from a slim-jim user.

Fortunately I have another 240 parts car, and I was able to pull the RR trim panel and work on the problem.

For this method to work, the window must be able to raise/lower.

I fashioned a long wire (unwound coat hanger) that I could work down into the latch mechanism with the window open.

I found the pin on the latch mechanism that, when pulled upward, releases the latch. It is maybe 1/4 inch long, points towards the front of the car, and hard to see as it is hidden in other linkage things.

Once I could release the latch on the parts car, I went to work on my daily driver. (1) do it after dark with a flashlight. Your eye pupils will be more open and seeing down inside the door is thus easier. (2) I have a small flashlight that I can grip in my teeth, leaving both hands free. (3) I had to re-shape the long wire many times. (4) it took almost an hour of fishing around in there but the door finally opened.

The problem was instantly apparent. The latch mechanism is in the rear of the door, the lock knob is at the front. Between the two is a long rod that is either pushed (to unlock) or pulled (to lock). It is pretty stiff rod, since it has to push and not flex. If it cannot push far enough, the unlocking linkage is never moved out of the way, and the door will never open.

The slim-jim had been pulled up while caught on that rod, and pulled hard enough to bend it a good bit. Bent enough to shorten it - the locking system therefore remained always engaged.

Long story I know - hope it helps.

Finding that pin is the key. Even if you cut a hole in the trim panel it is still necessary to find the pin, unless you see that the long rod is bent and can straighten it out.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Moral of my story: 240s can be unlocked with a coat hanger, don't use a slim-jim. AND - get an extra key and carry it.

Mark,
Is it that the doors will not open from the inside, or the outside,or both? AAA could have tripped the "child safety lock" that will not let the doors open from the inside. They could have also knocked the rod to the door latch assembly off. If it is cold where you are I would suggest getting the car inside a heated garage and let it remain in the warmth for several hours before attemting to take the door panel loose (as the plastic parts are brittle in the cold). With care and lots of luck you could loosen the top part of the panel with the window down. Using a long, slender screwdriver and a light that will fit inside the opening, you can "fish" around the linkages to open the door. Once the door is open, you can take the rest of the panel off and fix the linkage.
Lots of Luck
Rick

Are you sure they do not open from outside but not the inside?
Reason I am asking is because my 89 has child safety locks, switch o nthe side of the door... If you flick it the door open from outside but not from inside.

Greg

It sounds like the door knob has fallen off the hinge that connects it to the lock and the locking motor. It is a PITA to get off the door panel on a closed door but that maybe your only option. If you already have looked at another 240 then I'm sure you have seen how the locking mechanism works. It is fairly simple to fix the problem is you just have to get in there. Good Luck!

Sincerely,
--
Julio Meza

1979 264GL B27F 122K

Features Added:

BW55 To M46, Central Locking System, 25mm IPD Front Sway Bar, 81+ Dash W/ Oil & Ambient Temp Gauges In C, Oil Pressure, Volts

Next Project:

+Cruise Control