This is the scenario I faced last week. The dreaded phone call at "school-run time" - "keycard won't unlock the doors!" Luckily daughter no 1 lives across the road. I wandered over with spare card. Confirmed this would not work either. No problemo, we have the hidden keys. Flipped off the cover and inserted key which turned freely. Shock, horror, it would not unlock the door!! I must confess we have never tried the key before. By sheer luck, I found the driver's door was in fact unlocked. Phew!!
It was immediately obvious that the battery voltage, while not totally flat, was insufficient to power the car as confirmed by starter solenoid clicking away madly. Voltage was around 9v. A quick and easy jump-start and checked the alternator which was giving a healthy 14volts at battery terminals.
However that is not the issue. What about that wretched door lock? Not only would it not unlock the door, it would not lock it either!
Removal was easy - in fact one of the easiest door lock barrels I have ever removed. There was evidence that it had been removed before. Refitting though, was not that simple. Have a butcher's at the photo. The end of the "stalk" has a ball-shaped piece with what appears to be a peg on opposing sides. The whole thing ressembles a miniature propshaft as it were. Simply pushing the lock back into the aperture does not work. Believe me, I tried it a few times but could not get it to work. I could operate the door lock mech by using a flat-bladed screwdriver so I knew this was in order. After studying the setup I twigged that it is essential to point the lock in a downward direction to ensure that the end piece locates where it should, otherwise it goes off at a tangent and will never engage. Having got the gist of it, it was immediately obvious from the clicking noises that engagement had been successful! While I had the lock out, I took the opportunity to give it an oil. Don't forget to push the retaining lug back in via the hole in the door edge.
It is a pity that whoever refitted the lock previously, failed to check that it worked!
I hope that this has helped or will help, somebody else. Go and check yours asap.
The battery voltage is a mystery. The day before, the car had done 400 miles faultlessly.
An overnight charge restored the battery and now, a week later, it remains fully charged. At one point a neighbour reported that the lights were on full in daylight. Aren't they supposed to turn 'emselves off? I will continue to watch and wait.....
Mike
