[DML] Door Solenoids and lock modules.

["therealdmcvegas" <dmcvegas@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Ryan Wright" <ryanpwright@...> 
wrote:
<SNIP> 
> Ah, I was thinking more of the lock module failures that applied 
power
> to the solenoids and left it there, preventing you from actuating 
the
> linkage.
> 
> To be honest, I've never had a fear of getting trapped in my 
DeLorean.
> I have, however, considered putting one of those emergency glass
> hammers within reach so I could easily break through the 
windshield in
> a bad situation. I'd imagine flipping a DeLorean upside dodwn, 
while
> difficult to do, would not make getting out very pleasant.
> 
> Thanks for the story!
> 
> -Ryan
>

That is one thing about the DeLorean linkage system that makes it 
different than others. Because of that 2nd latch up front on the 
door, the solenoid can endure more strain. Now that's not to say 
that there is an inherent problem with the doors, because there 
isn't. It's just that over time, as lubrication is lost, the door 
locks are harder to operate for the door solenoids, because there 
are so many more joints and pivot points the gum up and create more 
strain. Therefore, more torque needs to be exerted by the solenoids 
to work properly. DeLorean owners in really dusty areas such as the 
Southwestern US, and parts of the Midwest need to be really caucious 
about this, and should include lubrication of their door locks as a 
routine maintenance. Now, having said that about the DeLorean's door 
locks, I gotta ask;

Does anyone here have any first-hand experience with being locked 
in, or out of their car because of a malfunctioning solenoid? I've 
heard of this being a concern, but have never heard of a real-world 
example being cited? I know that you certainly run the risk of 
burning out the solenoids and damaging them for future use. But the 
DeLorean certainly wasn't the first car to use solenoids, and I've 
never heard of any Cadillacs, Thunderbirds, or other cars with PDLs 
ever trapping anyone inside because of a malfunction.

Now if you did have a malfunction with the locks, and lets say one 
was either repeatedly trying to lock it self. Or even was stuck in 
the lock position, it wouldn't be a difficult predicament to get out 
of. Simply unlock the other door.

As for the life hammers, I've thought about carrying one too, but 
not for my car. Rather I'd prefer to have it, in case I ever had to 
be a samaratin, and help someone else out of their car. It's like 
the same reason I carry a fire extinguisher with me. Years ago when 
I worked at a grocery store, there was a car out in the parking lot 
that caught fire. It was a loss, but it also damaged the cars that 
were parked next to it. I don't have fears about my car catching 
fire, but I've seen plenty in my time burn when I lived out in Vegas.

Kicking, or even pushing the glass of the passenger doors out 
shouldn't really be an issue. Sure it's got a little RTV on it to 
seal the water out, but it's only held in with rivited clips, and a 
rubber gasket that is pressed agaisnt T-304 stainless steel. And 
stainless steel is ALOT softer than carbon steel. I've dented my 
door by improperly closing it with my fingers, when I slammed it 
once. It's not the same as the windscreen, or even the back glass. 
Conventional doors have their glass mounted in steel tracks, which 
we don't have to worry about.

-Robert
vin 6585 "X"








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