SF Gate: Freak fire traps man inside Audi/Battery failure a p ossible cause

[Beatty, Robert]

-----Original Message-----
From: Huw Powell [mailto:audi at mediaone.net]

> A few weeks ago, I finally got around to moving my 86 5ktq sedan from
where
> it had been parked and locked for the past 3 months.  The battery was
quite
> dead and I discovered that I could NOT unlock the rear doors manually.  I
> didnt think much of it and just replaced the battery and let the power
locks
> work correctly.  Anyone know of a reason why the rear doors wouldn't
unlock
> with a dead or disconnected battery?  I didnt have a problem with the
front
> doors because I used the key for both sides.
>
> Wonder if there might be a recall of some sort on this??? or are the cars
> waaaaaay too old for that now?

I think anyone left inside the car for 3 months while the battery died
is gonna have trouble getting out even if the door locks *do* work.

HEHE cute Huw :)


Could the child safeties have been set on the rear doors, preventing the
inside handle from working the latch?

Also, as you unlock the doors with the power disabled, you are fighting
vacuum (or should be...) - sometimes when you unlock the 3rd door, one
of the first 2 will pop back down - ooops!

--
Huw Powell

Actually just spoke with dad about this on the phone.  If the fire was from
the battery or battery compartment, the power door lock motor is located
RIGHT next to the battery.  Any holes melted into the lines or pump casing
allowing a leak into the locking system would have the pump contiuously
trying to lock the doors.  This would have prevented the gentleman from
exiting the car :(.  For reasons like this, I will be keeping a automatic
center punch in the car for my wife when I finally turn it over to her.

Rob
86 5ktq
89 200tqa