[alfa] 164 Door won't open fix

["Daegrigg (Don)" <daegrigg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A while back the driver door on the 164 was stuck shut, a familiar event for
many 164 owners.  The automatic door locks would cycle but not stay unlocked.
I tried just about everything including fiddling with all the linkage around
the door-opening/lock mechanism, to no avail.

 Here is the fix and credit the chief mechanic at Di Fatta Brothers for the
info:  The door locking solenoid is stuck between the lock and unlock
positions, hence it will not accept a signal to lock or unlock the door.  To
get the door open, you must disconnect the wiring harness in the door leading
to the door lock.  Not as hard as it sounds.  You can get your hand in enough
to do the job by removing the two screws holding the armrest and the single
screw holding the forward section where the mirror adjustment is mounted.
Pull back the lower door panel to access the wire harness.  You may need to
cut an access hole in the plastic moisture  liner.


The repair is to lubricate the solenoid housing with WD-40 or silicone
lubricant.  Alternately, you can replace the whole assembly and that was the
option I took.

Hope this help some owner in the future.


Don
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