[xj-s] Passenger door will not unlock

The passenger door on my 1993 facelift 4.0 XJS has decided not to
unlock by any normal method. I have studied previous posts
regarding similar problems but have been unable to find any mention
of a solution that worked.
The driver’s door is OK but does not seem to operate the central
locking function although a slight buzz can be heard from the
passenger door - nothing from the trunk.
Neither the door key nor inside paddle will unlock the door and
they both seem to come up against a mechanical block. I have tried
disconnecting the battery in case the solenoid is permanently in
the lock position and tried all combinations of paddle, key and
handles to no avail. I removed the driver’s door pad but couldn’t
see much to decide what might have gone wrong, but made a ‘‘slim
jim’’ to push down on the solenoid (or motor). Trying this on the
passenger side does not work although I can’t really see what I am
doing. Removing the door mirror only uncovers a hole about 1 inch
diameter. Also, I can’t see any way to remove the door pad with the
door closed. By the way, I’ve also tried giving the door a good
thump while operating the paddle.
Has anyone ever found a method that worked?
Richard H–
Richard H, '93 XJS 4.0
East sussex, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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Hi Richard,

Can you describe in more detail what happens when you try to push the
lock lever/paddle forward from inside the car, and when you try to
rotate the key to the unlock position? Does the lock lever NOT travel
to the unlock position, and does it return to the rearward lock
position? Does the key not rotate to the unlock position as it should?

I have personally had a situation where the door would not unlock, but
mine was due to failure of the spring clip that holds the rod to the
lock mechanism within the door, and in my case, there was a linkage
detachment with no resistance to lever or key movement.

It sounds like you have a different cause of the problem, but you will
doubtless have to remove the door trim pad to assess and fix the
problem.

If you have not already done so, examine the Central Locking circuit
(Fig. 12) in the Electrical Guide for your 93 model, which may be
downloaded from this site if you don’t have it:
http://www.captainjaguarscathouse.com/Electrical_Reference.htm

If the cause of your problem is a fault in the Door Lock Control Unit,
or its wiring, you may be able to disconnect the Control Unit wiring
connector (to prevent damage to the Unit electronics, and apply current
to the appropriate wires going to the passenger door. I haven’t done
that before and don’t have your model, so I can’t give you specific
instructions.

The good news is that you CAN remove the door trim pad with the door
locked. Here is what I did:

(1) Remove both seats; in your case, driver side first so you can more
easily gain access to the passenger seat , and also so you won’t damage
the driver seat when removing the passenger seat;
(2) Remove all screws or other fittings from the door pad which hold
the pad to the door, and which can be accessed with the door closed.
If there are fittings such as the screws holding the door light striker
plate (on my pre-facelift) which cannot be accessed, note that you
can’t remove the pad entirely until you get the door open;
(3) Fabricate an L shaped pry or pull which you can use to pull the
“fir tree” fittings which hold the bottom and rear of the trim pad to
the door, by getting the pry between the pad cardboard and the door
metal.
(4) Being as careful as you can NOT to tear the cardboard or damage the
leather/vinyl frim, pry the bottom and rear of the pad loose from the
door and pull the pad inward and upward to visualize the lock mechanism
at the rear face of the inside of the door; be aware that even using
the utmost care in this process, you may do some damage to the edge of
the cardboard;
(5) If you cannot get the door unlocked by pulling on the lock rod,
disconnect the linkage from the lever at the lock mechanism, and unlock
by moving the lock mechanism lever which will now have no other items
attached to it to prevent proper movement;
(6) Open the door and remove any other fittings retaining the pad;
remove the pad.

Please let us know how it goes.

George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: Richard H ricardo_hall@btinternet.com

The passenger door on my 1993 facelift 4.0 XJS has decided not to
unlock by any normal method…
Neither the door key nor inside paddle will unlock the door and
they both seem to come up against a mechanical block…
Also, I can’t see any way to remove the door pad with the
door closed.

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In reply to a message from George Balthrop sent Thu 28 Apr 2011:

Thanks for the reply George. Neither the lock lever/paddle nor the
key will move to the unlock position and seem to come up against a
physical block. They both return to the lock position OK. I think I
have to follow your advice re the door pad and try to get in there.
I have sent an email to the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club XJS guru in
case he has some suggestions. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Thanks, Richard H.–
Richard H, '93 XJS 4.0
East sussex, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

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In reply to a message from Richard H sent Thu 28 Apr 2011:

Sometimes my driver door, 94,6.0 coupe gets flaky,
especially if I try to open it too fast after unlocking with
the remote. If I get in the passenger side and hold the lock
paddle to the unlock position and simultaneously pull the
door handle while giving the door a push it seems to pop
open and everything is good again. Happens every couple of
months, particularly if I invite a new driver in the car.–
The original message included these comments:

The passenger door on my 1993 facelift 4.0 XJS has decided not to
unlock by any normal method. I have studied previous posts


equiprx
Pacifica, CA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

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In reply to a message from equiprx sent Fri 29 Apr 2011:

I’M IN!!
I tried climbing into the passenger seat (not easy at my age) to
push the door with the handle pulled but no joy. However, before
trying to release part of the door pad I threw caution to the wind
and belted the unlock paddle with a piece of wood and a hide faced
mallet! After about three blows there was a ‘‘clack’’ and the door
unlocked. The mechanism now seems to work but I will remove the pad
and lubricate everything.
Thanks for all the feedback guys
Richard–
Richard H, '93 XJS 4.0
East sussex, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

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After about three blows there was a ‘‘clack’’ and the door
unlocked. The mechanism now seems to work but I will remove the pad
and lubricate everything.
Thanks for all the feedback guys
Richard

Richard H, '93 XJS 4.0-------------------------------------------------------

My 1988 convertible driver side lock played up recently.
The symptom was using a key to lock the door became progressively harder.
Problem was an errant roll pin in the lock mechanism that engages the
latch on the body.

Not quite your problem, but I took off the door panel and checked then
lubricated everything before finding the real reason.

I doubt that just a lubrication attempt will be your final solution,
unless you have something badly corroded.
Removing that door panel is a pain and usually causes at least a bit of damage.
Suggest you leave the door panel off for a while to make sure you
really did nail the problem.
Wish I had taken that advice with my door lock situation.

Check the window lift machinery while you are in there.

Richard Dowling, Melbourne, Australia.
1979 XJ-S coupe + HE V12 + 5 speed, 1988 XJ-S V12 convertible, 2003 XJ350 3.5L V8

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