New owner in Ireland

[Riba]

Hello all! I've recently moved to Ireland and urgently needed something affordable to go around while looking for a place to settle down. I wasn't really planning for an A2, first choice was a Honda Civic mk8 as it has proved to be a fantastic and reliable car in the past, but most of them were high mileage or out of the budget...and then among all the Nissan Micras the little A2 popped up. I like to do my own maintenance, but doing so on something that doesn't have character is tedious and A2 certainly has it. The price was right, it was used as a daily driver for better or worse (needed a good scrub and a number of small things are broken and need replacing, but the important maintenance was being done). Having an active community forum sealed the deal so now I am the owner of a silver A2 with 1.4 Petrol engine and with no extras whatsoever as fas as I can tell.
Hot having to worry about the rust is a big plus, and I've already checked the wishbones and they are solid, even though being the 'pressed steel' type.
Plan it to slowly bring it up to its former glory. One of the problems I want to tackle is the issue with the driver side door lock. It is not possible to lock/unlock the car using the key on the driver side. The key just turns in the lock but nothing happens (and I think there is lack of resistance while doing so), but using the key on the passenger side will lock/unlock both doors. I've read through many threads discussing the issues with the locks but I don't think I've found anything describing this problem. Remote lock/unlock does not work, but maybe I just need to resynchronize the key fob.
Also, I got the VCDS so I'll make sure I put myself in the registry if anyone in Ireland wants a free scan.

That is it for now, I'm sure I'll have many more questions once I start digging deeper.

 

[Andrew]

Good Evening,

Welcome.

I note "Also, I got the VCDS so I'll make sure I put myself in the registry if anyone in Ireland wants a free scan.". I can arrange that but would need a bit more about your geographical location, nothing too specific, Ireland is a bit vague for purpose.

Anybody else while I'm at at? It's about time I gave it push it's been a while.

As for fobs, try resyncing, replace battery, check key is compatible with CCCU and if so pair with CCCU. Second key fob?

No doubt lock remedy suggestions will arrive.

Just ask anything.

Andy

 

[audifan]

Key locks in both front doors were fitted to cars without remote locking as far as I remember. So if the car is not equipped then resync will do nothing.

 

[timmus]

The key just turns in the lock but nothing happens

Hi Riba,

Welcome to A2OC.

I think it’s highly likely that a previous owner has accessed/repaired/replaced the driver’s door lock and has failed to connect the external key barrel when reinstalling the lock assembly. I see/remedy this regularly.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[dj_efk]

Welcome! I understand A2s are very thin on the ground in Ireland these days so you've been fortuitous.

Sounds like a fundamentally good car with some niggles to look at.

 

[Riba]

I note "Also, I got the VCDS so I'll make sure I put myself in the registry if anyone in Ireland wants a free scan.". I can arrange that but would need a bit more about your geographical location, nothing too specific, Ireland is a bit vague for purpose.

Sure, at the moment I am not fully operational...while I do have a VCDS cable, I don't have a suitable laptop ready. Should be sorted out soon though, area is Limerick.

 

[Riba]

Key locks in both front doors were fitted to cars without remote locking as far as I remember. So if the car is not equipped then resync will do nothing.

Thanks, this will save me a lot of potentially wasted time. The fob was so beat up that I assumed it was original to the car, but trying to sync it using the guide I've found did nothing, so I guess no point in trying. One more reason to fix the second lock as I am down to one now.

 

[Riba]

Hi Riba,

Welcome to A2OC.

I think it’s highly likely that a previous owner has accessed/repaired/replaced the driver’s door lock and has failed to connect the external key barrel when reinstalling the lock assembly. I see/remedy this regularly.

Seems like it. I'll open it up as soon as I get a chance, and tips are welcome.

 

[Riba]

Welcome! I understand A2s are very thin on the ground in Ireland these days so you've been fortuitous.

Sounds like a fundamentally good car with some niggles to look at.

Not (m)any around, that's true. I think I may need to replace the clutch at some point, but it is not a burning issue at the moment.

 

[audifan]

Rod #7 which fits between the key barrel and lock assembly is either incorrectly fitted or missing...

 

[Riba]

Don't know how I missed it but there is a recent thread discussing this:

Key Mechanism problem

I took out the driver's door lock mechanism a few months ago to fix the microswitch. I thought I'd put everything back together properly as it all seemed to be working as expected, but then the car sat for a month or more and the battery drained. When I tried to open the car using the key in the...

www.a2oc.net

Am I right in assuming that this could be done without removing the door or the window frame? Releasing the lock from the door should be enough?

Maybe it is time to move this to more appropriate forum.

 

[timmus]

Am I right in assuming that this could be done without removing the door or the window frame?

I reckon you’ll be able to unbolt the lock and move it sufficiently to engage the shaft from the key barrel without having to take the window frame out.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Riba]

I reckon you’ll be able to unbolt the lock and move it sufficiently without having to take the window frame out.

Cheers,

Tom

Thanks, that was my impression as well. First I need to find out if that flexible rod is dislodged or missing altogether. Thanks for the help, will report back!

 

[audifan]

My hope is the rod was not removed to mask another issue with the lock. Fingers crossed it was incorrectly fitted and not missing.

 

[Riba]

I also had the "tailgate open" warning light, found some info in the forum, apparently it was due to the lock not engaging completely. I was already getting prepared to take the boot plastics off to adjust the strike plate, but today I found out that it does lock if I let it drop with a bit more force. However I am looking at the car now through the window and noticed that the red LED on the driver door where the lock pin would normally be is blinking. What does it mean? I thought my car does not have an alarm. What is it really indicating and is it expected behaviour? Thanks!