Can any one help my Panda 1.1 central locking is playing up, the rear offside door makes a rapid noisy ratchety grinding sound when locking and unlocking with the key (no remote) its a grating noise like the motor in the door is on its way out. Any one experienced this before. Any help appreciated regards....
Yup, had a very similar lock problem last year and in the same offside rear door too. Mine was not always locking as expected and the issue was with the mechanism within the electric motor itself. Taking the lock out is a pain in the backside, but if you follow your nose and show sympathy when wanting to use force, it's pretty straight forward. Broadly;
1. Remove window winder and the dummy tweeter cover from the door.
2. Remove the Allen-headed bolts and philips screws from the panel as well and then gently prise the trim panel away from the metalwork. There 6 or 7 yellow clips that wodge into grommits in the door and they need levering out with a screw driver.
3. As the panel comes away, release the plastic clip that holds the inside handle onto the locking mechanism. Then remove panel completely.
4. Carefully pull back the white foamy protector sheet that is glued to the door. Pull too hard and it will break - it is easier to ease it off if you use a hairdryer to warm the glue. You'll then see the inside mechanism.
5. Unscrew the Torx bolts that hold the black window-channel guide and remove.
6. use a screwdriver to release the yellow (or white) clip securing the wire that connects to the external door handle. It just needs a flick/twist and it pops off.
7. Release the Torx bolts holding the lock assemby to the inside of the door and it will start to fall away.
8. Once free from the inside face of the door, remove the electrical connection and pull the wire aside.
9. Door lock assembly should now be free.
As with anything Fiat, there's no consistency between parts and models and I strong recommend you take the whole unit to a Fiat Parts shop and ask them to ID it accurately and order the right part. Mine took 3 attempts, as there are subtle differences depending on optional equiptment like child locks and the like (some mechanical, som electric). New unit is about £70.
Sure you could try a breaker and this might work, but the door lock removal and replacement is such a pain I'd only want to do it once! As you can tell, I did it 3 times and can still remember the whole sequence as if it was yesterday....
Good luck!
Phil
Needs a new locking mechanism
