stuck mk1 door lock

[fez]

So recent I've been having to get in and out of the car by taking the roof down and climbing in.

Door lock is stuck in the locked position. The key turns most of the way, but the lock seems to stop in the last few degrees of turning. Can't unlock the door from the inside, the lock doesn't slide far enough.
It has happened before and it fixed itself while I was driving.

Has anyone any ideas about how I can fix it or will it mean that I'll need to change the locks? (ignition lock is different key anyway so its not that big a deal)

[scallan]

Did u try oiling it??

[Steve]

I've had something similar in the past, check out this thread :
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3458&p=29912&hilit=lock+spring#p29912

[MX5Spares]

There is a small spring in the lock that snaps off sometimes and get jammed but you need to get door trim panel off the inside to see it .Awkward.

[Steve]

Yep, that's exactly it. I think I remember using a spring from a biro to get me by until I sourced a proper part.

This is where the spring is :

[fez]

cheers steve, Is that photo above right at the close of the door? I think my car is falling apart enough to take the door panel off with the door closed.

[Steve]

the camera is in the door pointing towards the rear, halfway up the door.

[93 Mk1]

I just done this a few weeks ago. What a difference ! The spring from MX5 Parts UK is supposed to be an ungraded part
so should be more durable than the original. Mind you, the originals are around 20 years old now....

[fez]

So took the door card off and everything was in its right place. Drowned it in wd40 wiggled it and the door opened!

No more dukes of hazard entries for the moment!

[fez]

It happened again, while the car is up with autocheck...

[93 Mk1]

Did you check that spring on the door handle ?

[fez]

Yep. Still there.
Fixed itself again. Might be due to lack of use!