Alarm not armed, Tailgate not lockable,

[PeterC]

Car has been sat doing nothing for a month. Yesterday doors did not central lock so I swapped back to the re-charged original battery. I can now lock all doors but I now reaslise that the tailgate is not locking and (consequently ?) the alarm does not arm (flashig LED on door piller). The tailgate lock used to be a bit naughty until I learnt to pull the plunger back out (help the spring overcome the friction) but now its freed up and the alarm was arming OK (I think it always did ?). The plunger is still hard to push in as though there is a lip or something in the way. Anyway I tried locking it myself with the key but I can only turn it 45 degrees to anti clockwise and cannot withdraw the key. It might never have locked properly as the plunger was so hard to push anyway (thats my only remaining security) but the alarm definitely used to arm.

Am I correct in thinking the key hole on the tailgate should turn 90 degrees anti-clockwise when I lock it using the key or via the central locking.

I notice the rear washer does not park neatly and barely moves so I am expecting to fix some wiring one day or rob the wiper motor etc off the blue one.

What is my next move, I assume the lock is jamming as I cannot use the key in it to lock it. Do I dismantle the tailgate trim and dig around. Its parked on the road so I like to keep it secure and dont want to advertise the fact that there is a problem.

I'd rather be sorting the engine.

[carlton_mad]

ok spray some plus gas into the lock via the key slot work the key in and out and try rotating it through the locking action if its the lock as opposed to the solenoid that should do the trick

if it dosent it is going to be the solenoid/motor

[PeterC]

Thanks. Off to Halfords for Plus Gas tomorrow - I take it that is NOT WD40. Oh and another can of silicon grease stuff, finished off my very old one (1981 ?) on said lock (no - I avoided the the keyhole !).

[chrismec]

Had the same problem on my saloon, don't know if the lock is the same but there is a piece on the spindle that is fixed to the lock barrel that is suposed to turn, mine was siezed, freed it off and all was good again

[PeterC]

So I went to Half-ords and they dont do plus gas !. Not a wasted journey as I acquired a replacement tin of silicone lubricant (my reward for showing a stepson how to WALK to halfords). I might resort to taking the tailgate apart as it looks easier than the door trim  .

If the weather is nice I might do the very long walk past phoenix (where one can get rather large quantities of diff oil  ) to a motor factors.

Is there another name for plus gas ?. I assume WD40 is a no-no down the keyhole ?. But I have found a spray can of brake and clutch cleaner in the step sons hoard of might be useful purchases - might that be solvent enough ?.

[kevinfourlegs]

I wouldn't use brake/clutch cleaner as that will remove oil/grease etc, which is the opposite of what you want. However, you may get away using it and then relubricating the barrel?

Is there a pound shop in your vacinity? I've used the 151 equivalent of wd40 and found it works just as well. Poundstretchers also do a lubricating spray, which I have used.

Recently I have removed the tailgate lock on mine and it is a doddle of a job. Its so easy even me Paula could do it and she knows nowt about cars.