RRC Rear upper tailgate locks

RRC, 1991.

The tailgate lock has started to stop working when using the central
locking. I can hear the 'clonk' as the tailgate lock activates with the
central locking but it does not lock the upper tail gate, I can still open
it by pressing the button.

All I have done is to adjust the tailgate striker plates for a more snug fit
but this was done some weeks ago and I have not checked the lock
since....would this cause a problem is the plates were slightly
misaligned????

Does the tailgate central locking rely on the full closure, perhaps of each
side locking mechanism???

Any advice would be gratefully received before i rip it all apart

AlunP

In message <[email protected]>, Alun P
<alun.priddle@NOSPAMblueyonderDOTcoDOTuk.?.invalid> writes
>
>Does the tailgate central locking rely on the full closure, perhaps of
>each side locking mechanism???
>
>Any advice would be gratefully received before i rip it all apart
>
From memory of an '89 model you understand:

The one I did needed minor adjustment as it didn't throw far enough from
one position to the other - literally slacken the fixings and slide the
entire mechanism left or right until it's ok. There is also a small
spring (between the unit body and the glass) which causes a 'latching
action' to the actuator arm - if this is broken or stretched the
actuator may not rest in the locked position - again this was accessible
without disassembly of the unit. I don't remember the mechanism relying
on the location of the catches at all - it just stops the button being
pushed onto the release plate by moving or rotating a 'blanking plate'.
Could be the linkage itself has come adrift and not moving the plate or
hopefully the back of the lock could do with a quick hit with some
lubricant spray ?

FWIW At no point did I have to strip out the motor mechanism itself.

--
AndyG

Many thanks.

At least the hatch actually shuts OK and it is only the C/Locking that has
decided to give up the ghost. Something has come adrift I recon as there is
a rattle there where there wasnt one before!

AlunP

So Alun P was, like

> Many thanks.
>
> At least the hatch actually shuts OK and it is only the C/Locking
> that has decided to give up the ghost. Something has come adrift I
> recon as there is a rattle there where there wasnt one before!
>
> AlunP

If it's only the C/L that's gone, it may well be the same problem I had.
Tailgate latched and locked OK, but C/L only made a clicking noise. Turned
out to be a flimsy plastic part which is not available separately from the
lock. I tried to make one up out of alloy, but no luck. I even bought a
new lock but still couldn't get the C/L to work - there's a mess of little
bits in there and one vital spring whcih I could never get back the right
way. I sold the car shortly after, so I never got to the bottom of it. If
you do dismantle, do it slowly and take plenty of notes/photos.

--

Rich

Pas d'elle yeux Rhone que nous

I like repairs when they are this easy........

All it was...........the arm that is operated by the solenoid by pulling it
in and out was sticking, a quick waggle and some WD 40....hey presto, the
C/L works again.

Didnt realise how loose the lower hatch locks were though, tightening should
cure a few rattles!

thanks for your assistance

AlunP