Even though cars with remote central locking have been a hit in recent years, there are still those who either have an older car or have a basic level of equipment of their car, where the car needs to be unlocked, as well as locked classically, using a key. If this is also your situation, but at the same time you find that unlocking is getting more and more complicated, you should think about the fact that two types of problems could have occurred.
The first problem is related to the wrong key. Especially with older cars, this is certainly nothing exceptional, and it must be said that due to use, the key wears down and subsequently no longer fulfills its function as one imagines. In such a case, the path to correction is relatively simple. Just have a replacement key made. This possibility is provided by a number of entrepreneurs on our market today. However, if the problem is not in the key, but in the lock, then this is the one that needs to be solved. And how specifically? Naturally, the easiest way is to replace the lock with a new one. And we will look at the correct procedure together. It may vary slightly depending on the type of vehicle you have, but generally speaking, the sub and key steps will be pretty much the same.
First remove the upholstery
It is good to know how the dismantling of the lock will actually take place and what needs to be done for it. Specifically, it must be said that the only way to properly dismantle it is quite naturally by getting into the inner part of the door. That is, under the upholstery itself. Therefore, the first step is to open the door, and then we continue to simply remove the upholstery or other interior lining of the door. Here, the procedure may vary depending on the specific car. There are situations when the upholstery just needs to be simply snapped off, just as there may be types of cars where we cannot do without a Phillips screwdriver, with which you loosen the screws around the upholstery.
Furthermore, when removing the upholstery, don't forget that, for example, the lever for lowering the windows can be a problem, just as the handle for opening the doors can also be a problem. Even with that, however, you can basically deal with any vehicle on our market quite simply. Once we have, we can simply remove the entire upholstery and at this moment we have the door open and completely exposed from the inside. At this point, we can proceed to the most important thing.
Removing the door lock
By removing the upholstery we could finally get to what we needed. That is, to the fact that we already have access to the door lock itself. However, it is good to keep in mind that access to the particular lock may not be the easiest, and that the metal door can significantly obstruct our access. But it cannot be dismantled or removed in any other way, so a little skill or other tools are needed. Depending on the type of car, we usually take a socket wrench, which we quite logically insert into the hole between the metal sheets in the door and try to put it on the screw that holds the lock itself. If you succeed, it can be said that you have basically won completely.
And this with regard to the fact that you can now just enable the lock and then remove it quite naturally. Once the screw is released, all you have to do is push the lock. Not from the inside, where you allowed it, but on the contrary from the outside. That is, from the outside of your car, namely from the area where you insert the keys. Sometimes more power may be needed, sometimes less power. But the goal is for the lock to release, and you could subsequently remove it from the door without any problems.
Installation of a new lock
As soon as the existing lock is dismantled, it may happen that you install a new lock. Here we must say that it is good to get the right one first. In this regard, it is important to choose one that is compatible with your car. So if we want to be specific, it needs to fit exactly into the opening for which it is primarily intended. Today, it is not a problem to buy such a lock as an original, as well as a non-original car part. It's up to everyone which path they choose.
Installing the lock itself is a fairly simple step. We proceed completely opposite to disassembly. First, the lock must be placed in the desired location, which can be the most difficult thing due to the shape and character of the door. It takes care, skill and also patience. If you succeed, all you have to do is pick up the socket wrench and, quite naturally, make sure that the screw, i.e. the lock, is properly tightened. If it holds as it should, it is safe to say that the lock exchange is over.
Testing the lock
Yes, it is more than clear that the lock also needs to be tested to see if it actually works as it should. Testing is quite simple. First, try turning the key in the lock several times with the door open. If everything works without any problems, you can close the door and try locking and unlocking it for real. If everything is without problems here as well, the replacement of the door lock took place as it should have.
Now don't forget about the final work itself. What can we include among them? It is quite natural that the upholstery itself needs to be re-fitted to the inside of your door. Once you get the hang of it, don't forget to check that it's holding exactly as it should. Also, don't forget to place a handle, as well as a lever intended for lowering the windows. Once you are done in a given direction, you can be sure that both unlocking your car and locking it will not be a problem on any of your journeys. Do not hesitate and see for yourself on your first drive, when you will have to leave the parked car somewhere.
