Sliding door lock

[Realize]

Evening Campers

The sliding door on my 81 westy lhd can only be opened each time with the key, I can't get it to unlock so I can open and close it without the key
There is a sliding button sort of thing on inside of door but this is really loose and wont stay in up position. Is this a child lock?

Has something broken inside the mechanism?

Cheers Jay

[CovKid]

No, the button on the inside (that goes up and down) is also the locking mechanism (ie you can normally open cab door, reach down to sliding door lock and move that button to unlock door). That should therefore explain why you can only unlock from outside - inside isn't working buddy.

[Realize]

Okay So is there a repair kit or am I destined to search the scrapyards???

[Plasticman]

Had the same problem on a van, was quite handy as it saved locking it but then yep I locked myself out.
small spring broke,
have sent you a pm
mike

[hotpod]

has anyone found a solution to this problem?
mine has just done the same ( small spring from inside broken)
it is a pain in the a*** but i cant find a solution anywhere. it must be a common problem.
i am not interested in a second hand lock as the spring is just as likely to be worn.

[hotpod]

for anyone else who may have this problem, this sounds like a useful bodge fix:

The locking knob problem may be due to a broken internal spring. This spring is unrepairable. It may be broken and interfering with knob action. See if that is so and fish out broken bits. To mimic the action of the spring, ie keep the knob up when up, slip a small section of rubber hose over the knob boss so that it provides friction to keep the knob up when up, and down when down

That worked for me for years.

alistair

taken from this page