9 replies to this topic

[steviejam73]

Hey, New to the forum here. First time I've felt the need to enquire about something.

I was out shopping in the mini the other day when I went to lock the door and noticed it still locked even with only half of the key in the barrel. I tried it again with even less of the key in and finally using just the tip of the key. Seems you don't need a key at all to get into my mini, a stiff finger nail would do

So is this common as the only thing deterring and actually preventing people from climbing inside my pride and joy at their own will is a small blinking led in the dash

[rpowell86]

Ive heard this is common on lock barrels after years of wear.

You can get an all-round barrel replacement set on minispares cheaply. This will fix the problem.

But you shouldn't rely on the door preventing someone stealing your car. Look into a kill switch or similar.

[yorkshirechris]

As above..

I had a '85 Mini which could be opened with a 5p piece or actually any key on my keyring (I have about 20 ) I wouldnt worry about it too much... I'd spend the money on a decent steering lock, and perhaps a cheeky kill switch. At the end of the day though, if someone wants your mini they will have it no matter how much you shackle it up and immobilise it, it's just a matter of trying to make it less appealing to steal.

[steviejam73]

thanks, new door locks would be the solution.

Its actually a 95 Sidewalk so its got the rover alarm and immobiliser fitted, which I figure would make it very difficult to steal. My dads got a 2000 Fiat and it hasn't even got an alarm.

Its very quiet where I live so car crime isn't something i'd really worry about. And if they did try and steal it, I'd rather they could open it gently with a screw driver or other key and then realise its alarmed and walk away leaving no damage.

Better than busting the door with a crow bar or smashing the window then running away.

[daleentwistle]

I just tried this and my opened my mini with a coin i had to hand...

I think I'm going to get new locks now, and the kill switch sounds like a quick easy idea.

Thanks

[DrMcNasty]

What I noticed when I changed my barrels (due to lack of keys as they were 3 different locks) was the 'tumblers' which really are just like a little slide pin collect a lot of dust and dirt and stick. So when you pull your key out they do not always drop back to the shape they should sit in preventing the barrel from turning.

Get new barrels, got mine from a mini shop on ebay for a decent price, and replace the doors and boot locks. Doors are just held in via a clip on the back of the barrel, the boot lock is just a pin that is tapped down beside the barrel to change. Takes all of 5 minutes to do all 3 once the locks are out of the car.

Nasty

[rpowell86]

What I noticed when I changed my barrels (due to lack of keys as they were 3 different locks) was the 'tumblers' which really are just like a little slide pin collect a lot of dust and dirt and stick. So when you pull your key out they do not always drop back to the shape they should sit in preventing the barrel from turning.
Nasty

What do you use to keep it clean and prevent the tumblers freezing in the winter? wd40?

sorry for the hijack

[m1tch]

What I noticed when I changed my barrels (due to lack of keys as they were 3 different locks) was the 'tumblers' which really are just like a little slide pin collect a lot of dust and dirt and stick. So when you pull your key out they do not always drop back to the shape they should sit in preventing the barrel from turning.
Nasty

What do you use to keep it clean and prevent the tumblers freezing in the winter? wd40?

sorry for the hijack

Yeah I use WD40 and put vasaline round the rubber seals round the doors to stop them freezing

[ferrit]

tut tut boys you should never put oils or lubricants into any lock, they trap dirt and crap which can cause the very problems we are talking about. Locks should be dry lubricated with carbon or similar

[DrMcNasty]

Before I put my new locks in I covered them with white lithium based grease.

Time will tell if that was a dumb move or not.

Nasty