Morris Minor Owners Club

Hey gang,

Still mulling all that lovely body work that Mog needs, but since I'm up at college (Moggieless), I'm incapable of working on it. So instead I'm thinking up important questions about the car.

One particularly important one I have for you all is about the exterior door lock (for Mog was made before both doors on the 2-door had external locks). I can insert the ignition key, as I should, but it won't turn. It does move slightly in what I assume is the proper direction, but only a millimeter or so. And it certainly doesn't engage the lock. What could possibly be wrong?

I'd rather not bring a Morris Minor to college with a wide open door. The driver's (LHD) door, with its interior half-wingnut, locks nicely.


By the way, all that's left on the bodywork, if you've been wondering, are a few patches and two repair panels: R/H undersill front, and L/H half chassis leg. (Fun fun, but best to do it now while the engine's out.)

I don't know how they managed to sell LHD cars and not change the lock over. It must be a real pain unlocking the passenger's door, leaning across to open the driver's door, walking round to get in the driver's door and then finding that the wind has blown it closed again!!!!!!!!!!!!
The key should fit in the lock, smooth edge up then turn 180 deg to lock it. Are you sure that the locks have not been changed. The lock mechanism could have corroded, try soaking it in penetrating oil. Otherwise a strip down or a new lock.

I'm certain the ignition key fits it (it doesn't fit the boot, for which I have no method of lockage). It slides in nicely all the way, but simply will not turn, no matter amount of force. I've had the assembly out of the car a long time ago, but am not sure if we found anything -- I was quite a bit less educated on Minors then, and I may have missed the real hot skinny. I'm sure of nothing of the history of the car -- they certainly could have been changed -- but the key does fit.

And yes......it is a pain...... Something I've been interested in is tinkering with a design for a new handle assembly that includes both interior and exterior locks, like on a modern car, for both sides. But I'm inexperienced with that sort of thing.

I think many LHD owners maybe get in the passenger side and slide over, carefully maneuvering so as not to impale themselves on the handbrake or gearshift.

the key does fit

If it doesn't turn, it doesn't really "fit", probably all the FS or whatever series keys will go in but only one will actually work, one a new lock anyway.

If you can get the barrel out then file the tumblers flush with your key inserted then it will work with you key.

There should be a number stamped on the barrel which refers to the right key.

I'd be tempted to fit some kind of central locking even if it only works on the drivers door.

As others have said - it's likely not the correct key. The correct number should be on the barrel - same for the boot lock. But any lock of that age is likely to be very badly worn - may be worth investing in some new locks - and matching keys of course!

Hmm, okay. BMC, when you say 'lock', do you mean the entire locking assembly or just the barrel, and are the lock assy. and handle separate? I'm not sure I have the money for a new handle assembly. Though it may be a good thing to have anyway.

I'll take it apart when I go home this weekend and see what I can see.

Another thing I've only just remembered -- I don't have the original key that came with the car, but rather a copy. It does turn the ignition, but maybe that would have something to do with it? Perhaps there are three different barrels in the car...who knows...

Could be - but since the Ignition key switch is used much more than any other lock - it wears out before the others! Just about anything will turn my ignition switch........ The number is stamped on the front plate of the Ignition switch - originally all the locks on the car would have been that number - but over the years - who knows!

If you can take the lock to a proper locksmith, not a key cutter, they may be able to sort it out

You can buy locksets from the major suppliers with matching keys and barrels depending on the year of the car. It does mean removing the door frames to get the door locks out and the boot barrel is a bit tricky. Check the door handles for rattles while you are at it-mine rattled like hell.
Regards
Declan

Hmm, what's handle rattle mean? My driver's door handle is fairly loose, though it opens and locks all right.

It makes a clunk going over a bump at low speeds or can rattle at tickover-just annoying.
Regards
Declan

I had something like this a long time ago . It turned out that one of the fixing screws for the lock was too long and not allowing the handle to sit against the door correctly if that screw was fully tightened . This prevented locking .
I suggest you remove one screw at a time & see if the lock then works . Otherwise it probably is a different barrel from the key .Good luck .
Regards Andy