"Stephen McAleer" wrote in message
...
James Field wrote:

Help! I've got a vw golf mk3 and both front door locks have decided to
pack
in.

First the drivers-side went a couple of weeks ago, but the central
locking
still operated from the key in the passenger side lock, but on my way
home
from work the passenger side lock gave up too. I can sit in the car and
operate the locks no problem, but when I put the key into either door I
get
nothing....its as if there are no actual lock barrels present!

There is no evidence on any attempted break in on the car, and I find it
almost impossible to believe that both lock mechanisms should give up the
ghost within a few days of each other.

Has anyone had any experience with this problem before? Any suggestions
of
possible fixes gratefully received.

Many thanks,

James

I bought an mk3 golf last summer with the same problem. The part that
was broken was called the door lock eccentric or something. It was
possible on my car to pull the entire lock barrel out of the car.
Cost about £1 each from German&Swedish.
I took the inner door trim off my car to replace the part. It makes
realigning the door handle easier afterwards. There is also a hex bolt
on the side of the door that needs removing so that the outer door
handle can be pulled away from the car.
The replacement part has a hook at one end that attaches to the lock
barrel and a flat end at the other that actually engages with the
locking mechanism. There is round piece of metal with a spring that
covers the hook part and holds it in place. Assemble the lock barrel,
eccentric and the round piece then fit the lock barrel into the hole in
the door handle. The door handle then needs fitting back to the car.
This is where removing the door trim helped as it needs guiding in
carefully. The flat part of the eccentric should then engage with the
lock mechanism if it is aligned correctly.
Refit the hex bolt making sure that the door handle is not sticking out
slightly.

Hope this makes some sort of sense.

--
Stephen McAleer,
Mid Wales
Thanks Stephen, I'll take off the inner door trim and take a look to see if
this is the problem.

James