Ian's door locks

[Al Powell]

Ian - ian at bluemoon.hplx.net asked (before getting the doors to open) -

I recently acquired a new vehicle, an '88 5kq.  [snip] The central locks
worked supremely well in securing all four doors and the trunk.
Unfortunately neither front door lock works from the *outside*, as I
discovered -- the lock turns back and forth, but is seemingly disconnected
in the door.  The key doesn't work in the trunk lock either, near as we can
tell.
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Glad you got the car open - here's my response........

Ian, what happened in your case is the result of failure to attend to broken
parts. This failure is more typical in the 89-91 type 44s, but it's a pretty
safe bet what happened. The links on both front door lock cylinders are
broken, so you're right, the locks are disconnected inside the doors. Making
a key for the front doors won't solve it - because they are not connected to
anything. This should have been tended to after the first front door lock
went out....

The typical type 44 lock failure is that the link from the back end of the
lock cylinders in the front doors breaks. This link between the lock
cylinder and the door linkage is weak in the original factory part.
Replacement of the link requires use of a kit that provides a replacement
body for the lock cylinder, and a new stronger link. I've written up the
procedure in nauseating detail, and even better documentation is available
on some Q-list member sites; they've been kind enough to add pictures.
(Would someone mind providing a URL, please??) The tumblers can easily be
transferred from the old lock cylinders to the new ones, so  your keys do
not need to be changed when making this repair.

BTW - one way to try and avoid this problem is to pull the front door panels
off every couple of years and use spray lithium grease to lubricate every
pivot point (and there are many) in the lock linkage. Audi made that linkage
so complex that it puts a great load on the lock and handle assemblies as
the lube dries. This lube process is the way to avoid breaking door handles
on the 84-88 (?) type 44s as well, as they tend to break easily when the
linkage binds.

You were lucky to get the doors open - the type 44 front doors (at least in
the 89-91 series) have an internal plastic cover over the linkage
specifically to keep people with coat hangars, slim jims, etc. from being
able to grab the linkage. I won't say it's not possible, but those damn
doors are among the hardest I've ever seen to get open.  Congratulations on
perseverance and good luck!

Now, get those door locks fixed! Your Audi dealer may have to order kits for
them.

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Al Powell
apowell at gocougs.wsu.edu
1958 Fiat 1200 Transformabile Spyder
1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo
1993 Audi 90Q
1997 Chebby Blazer
1999 Chebby Blazer
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