Issues with sliding door on '98 L400.

RadarGrrl · Post by **RadarGrrl** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:23 am

We've been having some issues with the sliding door on our '98 L400 Chamonix that seem to have sprung up with the recent cold spell. (I know, I know...what passes for 'cold' on the Island is not exactly the same cold as the rest of the country. But cold enough to affect this, it seems..) The Cham has a central locking system, which usually works fine, but when it's cold, it does not lock up the sliding door.

Cleaning the contacts is a no-brainer, and the first thing we'll do. But we also noticed this..

Notice the top and bottom contacts do not stick out as much as the other three. Is this normal or are we looking at something that should be addressed?

Any other thoughts on this problem?

Still enjoying our Deli!

konadog · Post by **konadog** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:01 pm

Great to hear you're still having fun in that deli you waited so long for. I can't give you a definitive, experienced based answer to your query, but I reckon a little ultra thin oil on the bits that move might help a bit... Good luck.

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:03 pm

No worries on the pin depth. Same as mine '98 Cham

RadarGrrl · Post by **RadarGrrl** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:43 pm

Haven't tried oiling them as of yet. There's a slight bit of rust on one of them, but they all move quite freely. I haven't got the multimeter out yet.

I did take an eraser to the contacts (old radar technician trick), which got rid of a ton of built up carbon, but the problem is still there.

Post by **Big-Bird** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:31 pm

My 96 L400 has the same contact pin depth as yours. My side door acted up as well when the cold hit.
A cleaning of the catch mechanism in the sliding door with some brake cleaner and a relube with lithium grease fixed my problem. With the door open you can see the claw that grabs the pin....its the claw that was full of crud/dust/old grease on mine.

RadarGrrl · Post by **RadarGrrl** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:36 pm

Big-Bird wrote:My 96 L400 has the same contact pin depth as yours. My side door acted up as well when the cold hit.
A cleaning of the catch mechanism in the sliding door with some brake cleaner and a relube with lithium grease fixed my problem. With the door open you can see the claw that grabs the pin....its the claw that was full of crud/dust/old grease on mine.

Ahh...so the problem might not be electrical in nature. I'll have a look. Thx..

Post by **Big-Bird** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 7:23 pm

You may have a sticky lock solenoid in the door.

My door catch wouldn't pull the door closed when it was cold.

Same cleaning method can be applied to the lock/linkage mechanism in the door. Gotta pull the panel to get at it.

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