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momo3



Member Since: 04 Jan 2016
Location: my sofa
Posts: 4

United Kingdom 
Autobiography locking problems
Hello everyone.
I enter the forum with some intrepidation and seeking solace...
My Autobiography is currently back at the dealer for the fourth time since august with issues with the door locking.
The solenoids are not strong enough to get past the vast swathes of leather. I know from the forum that the solenoids can be a problem at the best of times and I wonder if any other Autobiography owners are also finding this an issue.
I know well that there are many members of the forum who will be glowing with schadenfreude at hearing about this but at the moment I'm just rather fed up. I really hoped that this would be my last ever cherished Landy that I'd be able to sell the other two (MY's 1988 and 2012) and it would see me out but at the moment I feel like getting rid of them all and getting a Fiat Panda.... Big Cry
Post #493578 18th Jan 2016 8:56am
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Hi and welcome to D2net.
If you already have two Defenders you should be somewhat accustomed to the quality issues.

Never the less, the lovely Autobiography is expensive enough to deserve a couple of minutes more at the factory.

If Iīm not wrong, thatīs the one with aluminium door lock pegs. If they are from Croytec, then the issue has recently been mentioned in a thread. They are slightly thicker and bind on the plastic bezel.

If you do a search, you should find it.

Not that it should be your problem, as the dealer should solve it.

Tell us about your other Defenders....

Stephen 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #493590 18th Jan 2016 9:29am
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steve E



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Tenby
Posts: 2073

Wales 
Please don't get a Fiat Panda Rolling with laughter

I hope they sort out your AB and you can be happy with it Thumbs Up
Post #493593 18th Jan 2016 9:42am
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momo3



Member Since: 04 Jan 2016
Location: my sofa
Posts: 4

United Kingdom 
Hello Wild Card90 and Steve
Thanks for the welcome.
Yes indeed I'm very familiar with Defender 'quality' but my tolerance level seems to have dropped in direct proportion to the cost of the AB!
My '88 PU (blue) keeps the local welder is business but is my absolute favourite workhorse - climbs every mountain, fords every stream etc. And my 2012 SW (red, my so called smart road vehicle) has had it's fair share of intercooler hosepipe pop off's in challenging conditions i.e. on motorway at top speed...amongst other niggles but I can cope with all that. I quite like being on first name basis at the local dealer!
Thanks for the Croytec info on the forum. I have no idea whether they supplied the parts originally but I can at least pass on the info to the dealer who are toing and froing with LR at Solihull and maintain that they will resolve the situation...we'll see. Maybe a Fiat 500....
Post #493597 18th Jan 2016 9:55am
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steve E



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Tenby
Posts: 2073

Wales 
Fiat 5oo Abarth Laughing
Post #493602 18th Jan 2016 9:59am
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

Flat = fix again tomorrow
Post #493603 18th Jan 2016 10:02am
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ken



Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

United Kingdom 
I'm afraid its just a new car foible any car at any stage in its life will/may have issues

as a AB owner nope mine locks just fine

My Bowler with more Leather and Dynamat no issues either
Post #493604 18th Jan 2016 10:03am
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Caterham



Member Since: 06 Nov 2008
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 6298

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
the obvious question would be;

is it definitely due to the leather and not the weather (sound similar) - its just the weather and the central locking is (as you probably know) a common issue.

I'm on my 3rd drivers door solenoid in less than 6 years - is your the drivers door by any chance?
Post #493607 18th Jan 2016 10:10am
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Darcy Fairfax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2014
Location: London
Posts: 721

England 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Dont think anyone on here would have schadenfreude about this mate, for the money you paid it should work 10 times out of 10 all day long! Hope its resolved asap
Post #493608 18th Jan 2016 10:11am
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YOLO110



Member Since: 14 Feb 2015
Location: Perth Oz and Stansted UK
Posts: 1642

Australia 
Yes, Cryotec did design the lock pegs for the AB... they were going to manufacture them as well but JLR wanted too many so apparently decided to self 'cast' the same mould rather than take the Cryotec machined ones!

This is interesting as I have just bought the latter... the seem to be a good 'dry fit' but I have not installed them as yet... Rolling Eyes

Hope they are OK as I am back with them in Oz now! Embarassed YOLO... You Only Live Once...
Post #493612 18th Jan 2016 10:24am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5816

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Caterham wrote:
the obvious question would be;

is it definitely due to the leather and not the weather (sound similar) - its just the weather and the central locking is (as you probably know) a common issue.

I'm on my 3rd drivers door solenoid in less than 6 years - is your the drivers door by any chance?


Ooh Caterham, more info please. Mentioned in another thread, that I am having driver door issues. Seems to be temp related (-10c this am) and once I press the remote it unlocks then immediately locks and then unlocks etc etc through many cycles. Have to quickly rip it open on the 'unlock' phase to get in and even then I'm not always quick enough.... Big Cry Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #493642 18th Jan 2016 12:33pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Would some graphite powder like what you put in door lock mechanisms in the gap of the sliding tongue not help?

If its binding slightly it may just need a bit of dry lubrication Thumbs Up Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #493645 18th Jan 2016 12:40pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Grenadier wrote:
Caterham wrote:
the obvious question would be;

is it definitely due to the leather and not the weather (sound similar) - its just the weather and the central locking is (as you probably know) a common issue.

I'm on my 3rd drivers door solenoid in less than 6 years - is your the drivers door by any chance?


Ooh Caterham, more info please. Mentioned in another thread, that I am having driver door issues. Seems to be temp related (-10c this am) and once I press the remote it unlocks then immediately locks and then unlocks etc etc through many cycles. Have to quickly rip it open on the 'unlock' phase to get in and even then I'm not always quick enough.... Big Cry


Mr. Le Grenadier, this is slightly off topic, but if it is that cold now in Cham, you better leave your fuel cap unlocked, as otherwise you might have a less pleasant surprise when trying to fill up. How do I know? Rolling Eyes
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #493648 18th Jan 2016 12:46pm
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mcma1



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 2893

Have had to grind all my croytec pegs to get them to move enough to lock and unlock... a pain in the ass. Yet to get a reply from them. Andy

2014 Fuji 110 SW LS3
https://www.defender2.net/forum/post751233.html#751233

2014 Corris 110 SW
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic40056.html


My old Xtech 90 build..
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic15681.html

LS3 V8 build...
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic49051.html
Post #493672 18th Jan 2016 1:52pm
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Caterham



Member Since: 06 Nov 2008
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 6298

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Grenadier wrote:
Caterham wrote:
the obvious question would be;

is it definitely due to the leather and not the weather (sound similar) - its just the weather and the central locking is (as you probably know) a common issue.

I'm on my 3rd drivers door solenoid in less than 6 years - is your the drivers door by any chance?


Ooh Caterham, more info please. Mentioned in another thread, that I am having driver door issues. Seems to be temp related (-10c this am) and once I press the remote it unlocks then immediately locks and then unlocks etc etc through many cycles. Have to quickly rip it open on the 'unlock' phase to get in and even then I'm not always quick enough.... Big Cry


Like I say I'm on my 3rd now and it's been the same each time. the solenoid struggles to open the door (wooo woo woo sound). I suspect what has happened to mind is a result of it struggling over time and has 'weakend' the solenoid. Prior to swapping over the solenoid I caked the wd40 and acf50 all over the lock barrel and all associated mechanisms and rods etc inside the door and didn't make a blind bit of difference (suspect the solenoid was too far gone).

mechanisms all working smoothly - swapped the solenoid and hey presto - perfect !

I think making sure all works smoothly is the answer to increasing longevity of the solenoid.

hopefully you'll find it's a relatively cheap n easy fix. Thumbs Up
Post #493681 18th Jan 2016 2:05pm
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