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Driver door lock

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Driver door lock

Postby Handy2244 » Sun Apr 12, 2026 2:29 pm

Hello, I can't unlock the driver's door with either (I have 2) of the (blue) fob keys in the lock anymore. The (black) non fob key still works fine, the unlock button on the fob still works (for all doors). So it seems there is something (maybe electrical?) specific to the blue keys, that is in the door lock stopping me from unlocking the driver door using lock. It didn't happen suddenly, it gradually got worse. At first I thought it was a mechanical issue, so I sprayed WD40 in it (wished I hadn't now) but it hasn't helped at all.
Thanks in advance for any help/info/suggestion etc.
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Re: Driver door lock

Postby Airthies » Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:06 pm

Sounds like a Mk7 with the key colours.
It could be that the blue keys are getting worn and the door lock being rarely used is not worn enough to accommodate that wear, where the black key still has a decent profile to fit the lock.

There is no electrical reason the manual door lock does not respond to the blue keys, it is an entirely mechanical system as far as that goes.

If your good black key still works in the ignition then you can get new "horseshoe" key blanks cut for your blue keys, about £16 from Timpsons the last time I got one a couple years ago.

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Re: Driver door lock

Postby bortaf » Sun Apr 12, 2026 4:57 pm

i'd flush the WD out straight away with brake cleaner (it'll bind up the tumbler plates) and re lube with dry lock lube BUT the key used the most will wear, look at the cuts on the head of the keys with a magnifying glass and you should see the differance, this is assuming Mk7 with tibbe locks ? that style of lock has has wear issues for 30 years since ford introduced them in the 90s and usually IME the black key gets "saved" as a spare and hense lasts the longest :?
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Re: Driver door lock

Postby Handy2244 » Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:59 pm

Thanks Airthies and bortaf.
Ah. Ok. In that case (nothing electronic in there) I think it must be a combination of the lock and the keys becoming worn (I use every day), because all 3 keys work OK in the other locks (ignition, bonnet/hood, fuel filler cap). I will try to get new key cut from the unworn one. TBF, now that I have looked at them, you don't need a magnifying glass to see the wear.
@ bortaf. Yes tibbe type. What kind of lock lube would you recommend? A quick google search shows different types: graphite, PTFE etc. Or does that not matter much?

Thanks again guys. Really helpful.
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Re: Driver door lock

Postby RileyJames » Mon Apr 20, 2026 8:03 am

Handy2244 wrote:Hello, I can't unlock the driver's door with either (I have 2) of the (blue) fob keys in the lock anymore. The (black) non fob key still works fine, the unlock button on the fob still works (for all doors). So it seems there is something (maybe electrical?) specific to the blue keys, that is in the door lock stopping me from unlocking the driver door using lock. It didn't happen suddenly, it gradually got worse. At first I thought it was a mechanical issue, so I sprayed WD40 in it (wished I hadn't now) but it hasn't helped at all.
Thanks in advance for any help/info/suggestion etc.


Yeah, probably just worn blue keys. Since the black one works, I’d try getting them re-cut.
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