Locking mechanism issue

[Johanna]

Hi all,

We have a mk7 long wheelbase transit. We have had issues in the past with the side door not unlocking, but we have fixed this by tightening the cable slightly. Now however, it’s just started this issue where when we unlock the van the side door won’t unlock on the first attempt, we have to lock and unlock it again for it to open. It’s strange because the side door unlocks every time on the second attempt but never the first. Obviously we can live with this but concerned this could get worse and it end up not unlocking. Any ideas what this could be? TIA

[knobby1]

Very common issue with the Transits, the actuator itself gets tired over time....they can be replaced. Check the three contact past & pins on the door & body for good contact, cleanliness.

Lord Knobrot

[tranmx2]

Yesterday one of the side doors looked like it was closed - but the door open light was on. Found that although the door was closed - the outside lever needed to be moved to open it - the front of the door was not all the way in. So maybe there's only one switch for the light at the front or there are two - one front one back of door.
At the back of the door on the inside is a black knob when it is vertical the door is locked when it is about 15 degrees forward the door is unlocked. The knob can be moved manually.
On the inside is another lever - there's a cable for each lever.
One sliding door did not open using the inside lever - the lever pivot at the top was damaged.
There's youtube vids and forum posts re sliding doors on Transits.

Be sure to find info' re' your vehicle they aren't all the same.

Could be there is a partial earth or resistance to/at/from the sliding door lock. At the first attempt to unlock the power goes to all the locks - the solenoids are energised (the sliding door ones don't get enough lecky to energise) the second time the other door solenoids are slightly energised = more power available for the sliding door. Could also be the capacitors on the PCBs on the other doors are saturated the first time - the second time there's more available power to saturate the sliding door capacitors. More available power to overcome a resistance (damaged supply/earth wire only a few strands have continuity. More available power to overcome a slight earth contact (a supply wire is broken one strand is earthed).

[amlav]

Try first to spray w40 or silicon spray in and on every door latches . Dust build up on latches makes it hard for the actuators to lock/unlock .