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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Door latch won't lock in situ

Hi all,

I have just been replacing the locks on my mk3 sprite and I am having trouble with the door latches.

To cut the long story short the door latch works fine when out of the car, when screwed back into the car the locking mechanism won't engage. I have checked to make sure that the door opening movements aren't slightly pressed and am otherwise at a loss. It is also both of the locking mechanisms that won't engage, the one on the key and the internal one.

Any help would be appreciated since I am out of ideas for now.

Cheers,
Mitch
M Leask

sounds like you put them back connected up wrong way round, possibly the little connecting bar (IIRC)

if items are working correctly it's a good idea to take a photo (or drawing) of the installation before you remove it and compare this with two other different sources to see it's fully correct before replacing (not that I ever remember to do this)

perhaps if you put up a photo of it as it's installed now (obviously door card removed) someone might see what's wrong

or someone might have a photo or illustration of correct fitting
Nigel Atkins

Hi Mitch,

Crazy question: are you trying to lock it while the door is opened? The lock function is disabled while the latch is in the unlatched position. Try it with the door closed, or use a tool through the "fishmouth", where the striker goes, to rotate the pawl into the fully latched position, and see if that is it.


Norm

Norm Kerr

SOLVED!

I finally found the problem. It was the locking mechanism that slides forward and backward for the interior locking mechanism. It was catching on the hole in the door itself when it was screwed into place. Some careful relieving of the hole in the door allows it to slide without catching. I have attached some photos in case my description is rubbish.

M Leask

Another pic

M Leask

And where it was catching

M Leask

This thread was discussed between 21/10/2012 and 23/10/2012

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