Member Since: 24 Jul 2011
Location: North London
Posts: 107
Locked out Disco Dead!!
Hi guys would really appreciate your help, the wife was driving the Disco 3 today sudden message on dash system malfunction , she is not 100% sure , so she parked up and locked the vehicle using the remote. On coming back to the car unable to get the remotes to work at all. Even tried the manual over ride on NSF door sadly no luck. It would seem total electrics failure. First question any idea on how I can gain entry into the vehicle as the dead lock system is in operation, the AA recommended breaking a window or smashing my lovely grille to bits or final option bend the door frame, I don't fancy any of the options, back in the day you could power up via jump leads on the starter. Not sure if I can even see the starter! I seem to remember someone mentioning you can do this via the tow bar socket.
Second question lots of chatter about alternator failure inducing battery failure however I have had no alternator warning light on or any issues cranking or starting on these cold mornings.
Any help or guidance really appreciated as tomorrow I have got to fix the fault.
Paul
20th Dec 2013 12:21 am
Mash
Member Since: 24 May 2012
Location: Vale
Posts: 292
I cant see why the manual key opening would not work, does the mechanism move? If not try spraying with some wd40 that might free it up.
20th Dec 2013 12:35 am
lad
Member Since: 17 May 2008
Location: Blackburn
Posts: 634
The key in the nearside lock should work, be warned, if it's not been used before it does take a bit of effort (a lot of effort actually) to open it. You may feel like you are going to break the key but it should unlock it. Not sure which way to turn key, sorry. I was locked out of mine once but I got in via nearside door but it didn't take that much effort in turning the key. Just hope you don't break your key or lock. Just a thought, the door hasn't been replaced by any chance? Just thinking that's why key doesn't seem to work
20th Dec 2013 12:37 am
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1929
Find some plus gas, spray it into the lock, wait a minute or two, and try the lock. It is mechanical and will open, but they are stiff and you may need something to free it up. Don't bother with wd40, not only was it not intended to be used to free seized components, it's also been superseded by far, far better products. I have found plus gas is simply unsurpassed for freeing seized components, bolts, etc. I use it a lot on very old cars and it's ability to penetrate amazes.
Good luck.PAGODA
20th Dec 2013 6:38 am
nickprice
Member Since: 28 Feb 2011
Location: Den Haag
Posts: 317
I was locked out of my car after leaving it for a few months. First time I managed to break the door lock by applying too much pressure (the barrel would just spin). In the end we got in by applying 12v to the starter, this gave enough power to use the key fob to let me in and from there I could pop the bonnet and charge the battery.
Second time this happened I was able to get in by unlocking it through the (repaired) door lock. Well the breakdown guy was able to do this. I wasn't applying enough force after what happend last time! He tried to get in through the window but only managed to pull my door handle off as it goes into super lock mode (which I told him but he didn't listen).
I have now bought the bits off eBay to make a lead to charge through my towing socket (before I saw you can buy them from the Disco3 store! Doh!).
You definintely don't need to break a window, there's plenty of less expensive options!D3 SE with Hankook MT 275/65/R18, IID BT Tool, ProSpeed rock/tree sliders + compressor guard, RLD sump guard & winch tray + 13,000lb hidden winch, Gearbox guard, Frontrunner 80l aux tank with fuel gauge, V8 brake upgrade, Traxide USI-160 dual battery system, Frontrunner ladder, custom boot storage, Lazer LED driving lights, de-cat exhaust, Aftermarket Oro TPMS, i7 Mac Mini touch screen install (running Windows 10) mirrored on rear screens.
20th Dec 2013 7:09 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20837
If you don't have towing electrics, then as above, a power probe onto the battery cable of the starter should give enough power to unlock the doors My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Broken passenger door lock is very common. It is also supposed to be a service item but I have yet to see a main dealer bother.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 24 Jul 2011
Location: North London
Posts: 107
Update
Hi guys and a Happy New Year many thanks for all the help as usual excellent, it was the alternator which had literally burnt out and fried the battery, managed to eventually get the manual lock system to operate which meant at least I could open the bonnet! Not too bad a job to renew the alternator got the same Denso unit from Euro car parts so now sorted, hoping to have a period of driving without an issue with the Disco as I have replaced air compressor, timing belts, water pump, thermostat , set of coolant hoses and now alternator and battery, must say starting to feel slightly jaded when I total the amount I have spent this year on the Disco.
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He tried to get in through the window but only managed to pull my door handle off as it goes into super lock mode (which I told him but he didn't listen).
