door locked!

[C191JOE]

Has anyone had the tailgate door lock/opening mechanism die on them?
And, if so, how did you get the door open again?
The car's central locking is working on the other 4 doors. (even on wet and /or dry days)
It's a 1.6 vp.
I push the lock in and there is almost a click but we don't get as far as the door catch moving. I can't get into the rear compartment 'cos the seats are firmly caught in their catches and the parcel shelf is, for once, also firmly in place.
It was working when I left it yesterday!!
I think that a crowbar would do untold amounts of damage.

[Miracle maestro]

It's ages since I folded a Maestro rear seat, but are the seat hinge bolts accessible from under the front of the seat???

[E_T_V]

You just need to get the rear seats forward. You can release the catches from inside the car lifting the black plastic things upwards and pulling the seat forward. Then remove the back plastic panel and manually release the door catch.

[Wetfish]

Don't want to state the obvious but somebody hasn't locked it with the key, this will stop the central locking working on the tailgate. There again, I might be teaching my granny to suck eggs!!

[SimonR]

Aha - so I spoke too early - that handbrake turn did more damage than I thought, ho ho ho.

You should be able to release it be pressing the button in, then pushing the tailgate downand jerking it upwards.

The rubber tip has probably fallen off the end of the plunger on the mechanism inside the tailgate.

Worst case scenario is either to undo the bolts that hold the back seats to the floor, or break in through the parcel shelf! I think that the club has some spare parcel shelves somewhere.

[E_T_V]

I repeat... You do not need to break anything to get into the boot. Simply lift up the black plastic catches that secure the rear seats in the upright position in order to fold them forward.

[SimonR]

I repeat... You do not need to break anything to get into the boot. Simply lift up the black plastic catches that secure the rear seats in the upright position in order to fold them forward.

Sorry Dan - I missed that! So you can lift the hooks can you?

Nice one.

[E_T_V]

Yes, simply lift the hooks from the passenger cabin. Pull the seats forward and then sort out the parcel shelf. It takes some jiggling but it is possible.

[C191JOE]

Thanks for all replies. I got into the rear compartment by gently popping the parcel shelf clip (in the centre attached to the back of the seat),pulling the rear seat forward a bit and reaching in to release a seat clip.

I couldn't find any other clips to press or push inside the passenger area.

I then unbolted the striker plate and opened the tailgate.

The culprit in all of this was a small bolt which secures part of the lower lock mechanism to the tailgate - it was only finger tight. I cinched it up securely and hey presto! door lock now working.

Which is why the services manuals say 'check and lubricate door mechanisms'
has anybody? ever?
thanks again

[MAESTRO_MONTEGO]

yep i do most of the time on montys as i had many when those platic door handles brake off;)
i lubricate with motor bike chain spray lub,GOOD stuff :laugh: