Baggage Door Lock

[denlock]

First trip out this weekend, and one of my baggage door locks won't unlock. The key goes in but won't turn. Does anybody know how I can get the door to open? I can reach the locking mechanism from the door next to it, but I can't get it to release.

[mikelm48]

Not sure about your coach, but on mine you can access the nuts that hold the bracket that the lock catches on from underneath. If you loosen the nuts the bracket is adjustable for location, so you can move it. Otherwise if you can reach the mechanism from the rear, you could remove the screws/nuts that hold it in place, then the whole door lock assembly would move. If you go from the rear, be sure to get the latch lined up when you put it back so it doesn't leave any unpainted area.

[VP Chianese]

Originally Posted by denlock

First trip out this weekend, and one of my baggage door locks won't unlock. The key goes in but won't turn. Does anybody know how I can get the door to open? I can reach the locking mechanism from the door next to it, but I can't get it to release.

Have you tried something like Rust Buster directly int the key hole from the out side and let it sit for a few hours. Sounds like the lock is seized up and the pins on the tumbler are not moving.

This is way easier than going through getting to it from the back side.

["007"]

If the lock latch is aluminum the latch may be frozen in the hole it glides through in lock assembly try to squirt some PB Blaster corrosion & lube up into the latch area and let set also try a squirt into the key lock as mentioned.
If you take the bolted wire loop it locks too off frame use a small screwdriver to work latch back and forth until latch works freely.

[PDR John]

Side opening doors, or bottom opening doors?

["007"]

Good point John being from the old school I tend to forget these new coach's.

[denlock]

Side opening doors. I sprayed inside the keyhole, but it didn't do any good. I can get to the nuts that hold to wire ring to the post, so Ill undo the nuts in order to get the door open. I was thinking of pulling the covers off of one of the doors I can open just to see what's behind them.

[PDR John]

You need to trip the latch from the inside. It sounds like the cable came loose.



You the reach this part on the latch. In your chassis battery and DEF doors it's in the open to practice on.




Down through here.

[denlock]

PDR John, my door latch is different from yours. I was able to reach the wire and pop the catch. It had not come off. The key won't turn in the lock, like the tumbler is broken. I've pulled the assembly out and plan on taking it to a lock smith tomorrow. If they can't do anything with it, I guess I'll have to order a new assembly. Thanks everybody for your help.

[denlock]

Well, locksmith couldn't do anything for me. Called Newmar and ordered a new latch. Price wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, only $30. Bill said they have some that go for $100, sure am glad I don't have that handle. Again, thanks everybody for your suggestions and help.