Happy Eater!

I hope this post finds everyone safe and healthy!

My 1989 245 has recently started having an issue with the driver side door lock mechanism, in that when I initially push the key in, the tumbler will not turn, but if I wiggle it a little all of sudden I can rotate it back and forth like normal.

So a couple of question(s):
1. What might be causing this?
2. Can I just lubricate it and get it to go away, or must I dismantle it to lubricate it properly, and
3. If I can't get the lubrication method to work, can I just swap the passenger side with the driver side and be done with it?

Thanks in advance,

Matt
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1989 - 245, 1990 - 245, 1991 - 245, and 1993 - 245

Whether you resolve the issue or not, it might be time for you to install remote door locks. You will love them.

http://cleanflametrap.com/keyless3.html
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Art,

Nice to hear from you, hope all is well.

Just read your write up. I'll have to try it in my 91, which is about to get some major loving here hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

Regards,

Matt
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1989 - 245, 1990 - 245, 1991 - 245, and 1993 - 245

When I need to lubricate a lock mechanism I always use graphite powder. I have been happy with the results.

Randy
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Any twenty minute job is just a broken bolt away from a three day ordeal

How well do the keys work in the passenger lock?

When Massachusetts required smoke detectors in apartment houses, I had to check a large building for detectors in the halls every week. This building had 12 sections of 12 apartments on 3 floors.

The custodian asked me if I could check the halls alone. I said yes and he gave me a ring of about 50 keys, all the same. He told me that because of different lock wear, I might have to try several before I found one that worked!

After I was done, I realized that I had climbed 36 flights of stairs!

You might talk to a locksmith about your problem.

So I went out and tried the passenger side lock and it worked great.

Then I re-tried the driver side lock, and wouldn't you know it, now it works fine.

Damn Murphy!

I'm going to keep an eye on it for now. I also have a tumbler I just pulled off of a junk yard car so as to see how it works. I'll look at it first, then take mine off and clean it, and then re-install it and go from there.

Matt
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1989 - 245, 1990 - 245, 1991 - 245, and 1993 - 245

I had a similar problem.

I switched passenger and driver locks.

Driver lock is always worn on these cars. That trick works for me now. I might use wife's key to cut a new one, her's is almost like new.

Tri-Flow Teflon Lube. Spray right into the key hole, work the key in and out and wipe the key with a clean rag. Do this until the key comes out a little cleaner.

I like to try flushing out the grunge with something like WD-40 that has the thin nozzle tube to get deeper into the lock. Repeat inserting, turning and wiping the key. Then follow with the recommended graphite or teflon lock lubes in the final step for longer lasting protection from wear. If problems continue where you need to wiggle the key a lot or have to partially withdraw it then consider using a lesser worn spare key or have a new key cut by Volvo using the key code rather than have a key shop copy a used key.
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Have you tried a different key?
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Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.

Yes, I've tried both keys and they both work the same way.


Thoughts?

Matt
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1989 - 245, 1990 - 245, 1991 - 245, and 1993 - 245