Cars hate me

[JamezF]

Our Octavia estate suffered its third EGR valve failure a couple of months back. I was thinking of writing it off because the repair is about 75% of the value of the car, but in the end we decided to get it sorted because if it lasts another three years or so, the children will have left uni and at that point we can probably buy a smaller car. In the meantime I can also use it as a bee van and not really have to care too much about it.

So we did that, and now the passenger door won't open. I don't think it is even unlocking. The MOT is due in a few weeks time and surprise surprise, having a door that won't open is an immediate MOT fail.

I'm now researching how to get the door card off (so I can find out what's going on inside) without being able to open the door.

James

 

[Jules59]

Most cars these days have small electric DC motors that operate the latches. The carbon brushes wear and the motors stop working.
On some cars the latches can be dismantled and replacement motors inserted. Or a replacment latch will be required - often found on ebay.
FWIW My Freelander 2 drivers door latch failed. I sourced both the motors (the latch has two motors) from AliExpress for very little money. They were made by a chinese company "AZ Giant", that appears to make every small automotive motor conceived. They sent a brochure too.
https://www.azgiant.com/index.html

Becuase of the need for car security getting to the latch is quite a bit of work - not difficult, just took hours

 

[JamezF]

The tricky bit is going to be getting the door card off with the door locked. There are a couple of screws holding it on at the bottom that may be obstructed by the sill. If I can't get to them then I might just have to trash the door card.

James

 

[Wilco]

Would a shim work to open it?

 

[Newbeeneil]

Would a shim work to open it?

We always used a coat hanger but that was 40 years ago. I’m sure security on cars is more sophisticated nowadays

 

[Wilco]

We always used a coat hanger but that was 40 years ago. I’m sure security on cars is more sophisticated nowadays

Creative Amazon description for the monetable version of your coat hangar...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/lesolar-Br...hvtargid=pla-2322479318055&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

[Andy]

Our Octavia estate suffered its third EGR valve failure a couple of months back. I was thinking of writing it off because the repair is about 75% of the value of the car, but in the end we decided to get it sorted because if it lasts another three years or so, the children will have left uni and at that point we can probably buy a smaller car. In the meantime I can also use it as a bee van and not really have to care too much about it.

So we did that, and now the passenger door won't open. I don't think it is even unlocking. The MOT is due in a few weeks time and surprise surprise, having a door that won't open is an immediate MOT fail.

I'm now researching how to get the door card off (so I can find out what's going on inside) without being able to open the door.

James

I had a skoda fabia that did the same after about 3 years as well. Annoyingly they put this part at the back of the engine. This needs an entire engine out to change it. Back in 2015 it was £500 for the part and the same again for 2 days labour. I sold it straight away.

 

[JamezF]

Would a shim work to open it?

Possibly, if I actually understood how

James

 

[E&MBees]

You could always follow the example set in the Italian Job, although the repair process might be a bit more challenging!

 

[Wilco]

Possibly, if I actually understood how

James

I believe that info can probably be found online... I think it involves using a narrow tool to manually open the catch for the door.