Key turns in lock but doesnt open the door

[darts180cars]

Hi Everybody.
The remote central locking on my 406 has never worked, but I have never had any problems with the key until now. When I turn the key in the drivers door, it just spins and doesn't seem to bite, with a bit of fiddling I can get it to unlock, but this is getting more and more fiddly, and now the passenger door is doing it as well, and I don't want it to get to a stage where I cant open my car! I have never been able to unlock the tailgate with the key, so I suspect that it was changed in the past, and the lock wasn't, but now I have changed the tailgate so it definitely has a different lock. Any suggestions would be appreciated, or do I need to get a new set of locks.
Thanks.
PS: Are there any upcoming meetings?

[Busman]

This tends to be a anti theft thing. Giving the locks a good soaking with wd40 or similar, with the tube right in the lock, should help.

[steve_earwig]

As Busman says, it's an anti-theft feature, it's supposed to ensure that if anything other than the right key goes in the lock (e.g. an ill-fitting key or a screwdriver) then it won't unlock it, the extra resistance overcomes a spring and the lock just spins round and round. Obviously if the lock is stiff it can have the same effect even with the right key. WD is the usual cure.

This is probably a good time for a reminder, especially for those of us heading into the flat better season, that it's a good idea for everyone to periodically check their locks because if anything goes wrong with the remote central locking you'll be needing to use them and it won't be pleasant to discover that none of them work and that you're locked out of your car needing the services of a lock smith. As above WD is the stuff to use if they're stiff but for prevention I use graphite powder (which is what lock smiths used to recommend, not sure if they still do but it works for me). Anything else could go stiff at sub-zero temperatures and defeat the object.

Also, if your lock spins, try to remember which way up it should be as they don't work upside-down, even with the right key they just spin.

[scotty73]

If the locks are spinning what good will wd40 do? my wife says her key won't work in the door so she's been using my remote key that sometimes don't work, it's not raining today so time to investigate before it starts getting cold.

[mjb]

If the locks are spinning what good will wd40 do?

Free up the pins

[steve_earwig]

Inside the lock is a barrel and in that are a load of little plates with springs on them, when you insert the key the plates are pushed down and allowed to rise up against the springs as far as the notches in the key. This lines them up with the sides of the lock barrel and the lock can then rotate. Obviously, if the plates are too stiff to move against the springs they won't release the lock properly and it'll spin. That's my understanding anyway, I've been taking them to bits for years but I'm no lock smith.

Spray some WD in there and leave it for a few minutes to soak. It might help to gently slide the key in and out of the lock a few times first to distribute the WD, then gently try to turn it. You'll probably need some patience but, as the locks have been working until recently, it shouldn't take long.

[scotty73]

Cheers lads easy fix, neither key would move the lock (i thought the wife said her key spins, see how much i listen)

Once soaked in both keys span in the lock until it found a bite and now both keys work, a job well done.

I wonder if this also explains my remote key issue? it would open most of the time but every now and then the central locking would just buzz and not unlock the doors... Maybe it wern't happy with the barrel around the wrong way?

[darts180cars]

Thanks for your help guys, I filled the locks with WD40 last night and tried the key this evening, and they work like new. Next job is to get the remote sorted. I have tried replacing the battery and there is still no response from the car, any suggestions will be appreciated!

[markw]

Have you tried re-syncing the key to the car?
Have a read through the handbook for a precise description of the procedure as it appears to vary.

[Bailes1992]

Just a word if warning about WD40.
It will dry up after a short period and when using it it will wash away all the grease already in the lock.

Get some graphite grease instead!

[steve_earwig]

Trouble is graphite grease isn't very fluid. WD doesn't completely evaporate but maybe it'd be worth following it up with light oil perhaps. Actually, I suspect that's the point of graphite powder as you don't really want a pocket full of greasy keys...

[Quinny]

Thanks for your help guys, I filled the locks with WD40 last night and tried the key this evening, and they work like new. Next job is to get the remote sorted. I have tried replacing the battery and there is still no response from the car, any suggestions will be appreciated!

I've just sent my knackered remote to this guy today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220783440199? ... 1438.l2649

And iirc, another forum member did likewise a while back, and was pleased with the results. My remote has one of the microchips missing, has no buttons and the case looks a mess. The guys estimated turnaround is 24 hours, so all being well, it should be back next Tuesday.

I'll let you know.

[steve_earwig]

That's quite cheap compared to the left testicle Pug would want for a new fob & coding it to the car.

[Quinny]

Well the remote was posted back very quickly, but because I wasn't in yesterday, I had to collect it from the sorting office today, as it needed signing for, and I'm pleased to say that it now works.

However, his ad is a little misleading, as it says they replace the case, which is not entirely true, as they haven't replaced the rear with the logo on, but that's me just nit picking really.

So all in all, highly recommended, which means that my door locks can now rest, and no more scratches on the door.

[steve_earwig]

Excellent Trouble is with these Mickey Mouse key fob casings is they don't come with logos on them, so at least yours still looks original. The yoyo's one snapped in half both sides so it now doesn't have the flying saucer (or whatever the f..k that's meant to be) on it. Not that it bothers me, it's the yoyo