Community Forums

momdoc · 08-25-2021, 09:28 PM

Well tonight we went to walk the dog and the door would not open. It was as if the dead bolt was not functioning and retracting with the lever or key (neighbor tried the keys). Finally after 20 minutes of jiggling it around it opened. But it appears the dead bolt is not fully retracted and will catch on the strike plate leaving in 'Locked out" mode.

Any ideas? We are going to change plans (tomorrow was to be a travel day) and try to get a hold of a locksmith.

Any other tricks would be appreciated.

wingnut60 · 08-25-2021, 09:32 PM

Don't know anything else to say, but replace the lock if it is a TriMark. Fought the one on our '16 Phaeton--locked out/in several times. Once we learned it might happen, did not lock it. Finally bought a new one from Tiffin, now confident it will work----until it doesn't.
There are some adjustments to try--does yours have the hole in the door frame with the bolt/nut visible?

Arch Hoagland · 08-25-2021, 09:35 PM

Occasionally I will use a spray silicone on locks that become a bit tight.

Gannman · 08-26-2021, 08:25 AM

I had the same problem. The bolt was a bit loose and would move enough to lock it. I ordered a replacement lock from Tiffin and that solved the problem.

ernieh · 08-26-2021, 12:01 PM

Those Trimark latches are far from being a work of fine art. I had one that wouldn't stay latched no matter how it was adjusted. The replacement appeared to be identical in every respect, but it worked as it should.

Bobby F · 08-26-2021, 12:18 PM

Leave one person-size window unlocked while you get this settled.

DRM901 · 08-27-2021, 07:25 AM

I'm ASSUMING you are talking about the primary lock, not the deadbolt.

If so, did you use the key fob to unlock/ lock the door? I've found that if you use the key fob to lock it, the only way to unlock it is also with the key fob, or with the e-pad/e-handle.

When you use the key fob, do you hear the mechanism inside the door? If you don't, then you need to open up the lock area. You either don't have power to it, or the mechanism is defective/jammed.

momdoc · 08-27-2021, 08:35 AM

No it was the dead bolt.
WE finally got it opened and it seems to be working at this point. However we are not using the Dead bolt anymore until we can get to a repair center and have it replaced.

Thanks all for your help.

weighit · 08-27-2021, 08:37 PM

We got locked in a few weeks ago, the dead bolt became unattached from the knob that moves that bolt from the inside. Had a next door neighbor try to open the door from the outside but it was not going to move. Lucky we had a torx bit screw driver and a pair of pliers inside the coach and I removed the entire latch and got the door open. Was able to find the reason the dead bolt became loose and fixed it so we could continue our trip. A screw head snapped off, so i drilled a new hole and installed a new screw to keep the dead bolt aligned.

**NLOVNIT** · 08-27-2021, 09:58 PM

Being locked in or out was a constant with my Phaeton from day one. It was always the bottom lock, never the top. The dealer could never replicate the problem. Never did get it fixed before I sold it. Lessons I learned:
1. Do not slam the door. That jams it
2. If you are on the outside, push IN on the door as you pull the latch handle. If you are inside, pull IN on the door as you lift the handle.
3. Don't lock the bottom lock. Just lock the top one.
4. Leave one of your windows unlocked & slightly ajar so you can get in or out if you have to.

vettenuts · 08-28-2021, 04:40 PM

The door in my Phaeton is made by PTL Engineering. They make a modified deadbolt for the door. I bought one but have yet to install it. I would check your door jamb to see if your door is from PTL. If it is, call them and discuss the issues you are having. There are also multiple adjustments that can be made.

I also use a dry lock lube. Don’t forget to spray the door jamb catch, which moved up and down when the door is closed to latch correctly.

momdoc · 08-28-2021, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Being locked in or out was a constant with my Phaeton from day one. It was always the bottom lock, never the top. The dealer could never replicate the problem. Never did get it fixed before I sold it. Lessons I learned:
1. Do not slam the door. That jams it
2. If you are on the outside, push IN on the door as you pull the latch handle. If you are inside, pull IN on the door as you lift the handle.
3. Don't lock the bottom lock. Just lock the top one.
4. Leave one of your windows unlocked & slightly ajar so you can get in or out if you have to.

You are right it was also a problem with the bottom lock. Locked us out today but we did leave a window open so we got in. Now we are taping the lock so it does not set itself.

vettenuts · 08-29-2021, 11:10 AM

I found on our Phaeton that we many times inadvertently hit the little red lock lever while opening the door resulting in it being locked when we try to re-open. Wish there was a way to re-locate it.

Mcarnpa · 08-30-2021, 10:47 AM

On our 2006 Phaeton, we experienced that the dead bolt lock was sloppy.
It could very easily lock on its own and it locked us out of the coach.
Inside the coach, the lever for the lock was sloppy which was the problem.

I took a rubber hose gasket, slid it over the lever so it ended up sitting behind the level taking up the slop and we never had a problem after that.

Hope this simple fix helps