Seized door locks?

Since I have had my 3dr 300tdi disco the key has never been able to work the door locks. It turns in the ignition and the filler cap fine but the key wont move either way in either of the locks.
I am guessing that the lock has seized through lack of use as previous owner always used the fob to unlock the car. Either that or it has had a new ignition barrel and filler cap lock, but I guess the first is more likely.

Assuming it is that, how big of a job and what do I need to do to sort it out?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave

I have a similar problem to you every year in as far as I live in a very salty environment and my car gets a regular dousing in sea water every winter. This affects my locks and door handles badly and they reach a point of seizing up completely.

I feel there is only one way to really put these things right and thats to get them out and soak them in 3-in one oil or similar. I think I remember someone saying to me WD40 may do the job, but it tends to go sticky or congeal over time.

I have 5 doors on my motor and I found getting the front door handles off to be quite easy. If you disconnect the 2 rods that operate the lock and the opening handle, then there are only 2 clamps that keep the door handle in place. Remove these and you will be able to take the handle off from outside. You'll have a far clearer view of whats going on with them if they are in your hands rather than attached to the car. The locks/latches were quite another matter as the window frame and mirror have to be removed and there are more little rods to disconnect.

I have had 2 door handles break so have replaced them with ones off ebay.

My first Disco had the same problem. I checked the car/repair history. One of the previous owners had changed the Ign and Petrol cap - I suppose the ignition lock was faulty and he had it replaced - replacing the petrol filler at the same time.
I know I have had problems with Disco ignitions - Oiling the key has helped
Rgds

L

It looks like that has happened with mine too!

I have taken the barrel out of the lock and it is clear that the key isn't the correct one as all the small sections don't retract in when the key is inserted. I will take the key and the barrel to a lock smith tomorrow to see if they can make it work with the key!
Depending how adventurous i am feeling later i may have a go myself at fixing it!

My locks used to be so stiff i went through keys like biscuits-
Door trim off
Plastic sheet off
Spray Silkolene Silkopen (Graphite spay) over all lock linkages and pivots and keep working the lock.
Result - Slick locks and no friction!

I have sorted them myself. I took the barrels out of both doors and removed all the small moving 'gate' sections and then did a bit of puzzle solving to put them back in an order that meant all but two fitted perfectly, the two remaining ones i just filed down a little! I put a bit of 3in1 on them and put them back in and they now work a treat!