Classic MH deadbolt woes

[guy99]

The other day I went to lock the deadbolt on our 84 310 MH. Inserted the key and turned ... and turned and turned. The deadbolt can still be operated from inside but cannot be locked or unlocked via the key. The key spins with very little resistance.

Any knowledge about what's needed to repair this?

How about taking it apart?

[Mike Leary]

Is it the lower one? The upper would be a bearcat to fix, I've been told,if you could even get parts. The lower one is just as much a hassle, though I found a locksmith that dealt with RVs and had a old outside lockset in his stash that got me locked again.

[guy99]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Is it the lower one? The upper would be a bearcat to fix, I've been told,if you could even get parts. The lower one is just as much a hassle, though I found a locksmith that dealt with RVs and had a old outside lockset in his stash that got me locked again.

My rig doesn't have the lower one. Alas its the top deadbolt which is electrically operated from the dash. On mine, everything on the inside (manual and electric) work fine. But when the key is inserted on the outside it just spins.

[3 Dog Nite]

Pull the inside door panels off & look. You might just get lucky & find the rod that connects the cylinder to the lockset has fallen off.
Ricky

[guy99]

Originally Posted by 3 Dog Nite

Pull the inside door panels off & look. You might just get lucky & find the rod that connects the cylinder to the lockset has fallen off.
Ricky

The lock in question is mounted in the wall, not the door. The wall panel extends behind the refer and pantry. Wouldn't be fun to pull it all out.

[3 Dog Nite]

The lock handle on the wall in my MH is only secured with 2 screws. It will then slide off a square pin. This pin connects to the cylinder. Use caution sliding it off as it will still have 2 electrical wires on the backside. You can look into the wall better & gain access for repairs by removing the step cutoff switch near the lock handle. You pop the switch out of the bezel with a butter knife at the top & bottom. Use caution as the wires leading to the switch may touch the inner aluminum panel & spark. Done it a couple of times already.

Ricky

[guy99]

Originally Posted by 3 Dog Nite

The lock handle on the wall in my MH is only secured with 2 screws. It will then slide off a square pin. This pin connects to the cylinder. Use caution sliding it off as it will still have 2 electrical wires on the backside. You can look into the wall better & gain access for repairs by removing the step cutoff switch near the lock handle. You pop the switch out of the bezel with a butter knife at the top & bottom. Use caution as the wires leading to the switch may touch the inner aluminum panel & spark. Done it a couple of times already.

Ricky

Sounds different from my rig. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

[ScrapIrony-2]

Originally Posted by guy99

Sounds different from my rig. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Ours sounds like yours...we lock the door lock, but the deadbolt 'hangs' from the outside...I can lock it from the outside, but have to use so much torque that I'm afraid the key will snap off. The inside is easier to handle, and is held in place by two rivets. Looking forward to the pics...mike

[guy99]

OK, here are some pictures, first the lock cylinder in the handle:


Next a view of the bolt in the jam:


And the inside:

[Mike Leary]

What a difference a year makes, hard to believe AS would do that. Our upper lock, which only works from the inside, also, is a "Schlage", I see no markings on your lock,so, no clue. Like I said, you may be able to find some RV locksmith that can replace the tumblers, though my guy said the whole inside housing had to come out. Might as well tighten the door latch and 'loctite' them in at the same time. I do not envy the process.

[3 Dog Nite]

Here's what my 1989 has. Photo 1 shows switch & lock handle. Photo 2 shows removal of switch for better viewing behind panel. Photo 3 shows square lock shaft. I didn't bother to cut the hole in the tin big, so you should get a better view. Hope this is of some help.

Ricky

[guy99]

Well I don't have any switches in that wall but I guess I'll remove the lock handle and see if the shaft can be moved.

[3 Dog Nite]

A last resort might be to drive to a locksmith. They can pull the cylinder from the outside to get a better look. Please follow up with the results of your repair for all to learn.

Ricky

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by guy99

Well I don't have any switches in that wall but I guess I'll remove the lock handle and see if the shaft can be moved.

Guy, our 1984 310 is identical to your arrangement. Unfortunately ours works even less than yours does. The lock doesn't work from the outside and from the dash you can hear the motor try to operate but it seems to bind. We can use the lever from the inside by the door to lock the deadbolt but that's the only way we can get it to work.

If you can figure out how to get into it without tearing out the fridge wall I'd like to hear about it.

This deadbolt has been on my "hit" list for quite some time but I just haven't been able to get to it.

Definitely keep us posted.

Good luck!

Brad

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Guy, our 1984 310 is identical to your arrangement. Unfortunately ours works even less than yours does. The lock doesn't work from the outside and from the dash you can hear the motor try to operate but it seems to bind. We can use the lever from the inside by the door to lock the deadbolt but that's the only way we can get it to work.

This deadbolt has been on my "hit" list for quite some time but I just haven't been able to get to it.

Brad

Checking mine found PO changed amount of deadbolt slide by cutting or filing smaller.
I would guess an alignment problem caused original malfunction.
Doesn't sound like the original posting as his key spins which would mean the connection to the deadbolt has failed. Household locks use either a bolt or clip to hold in place. If it is a bolt it should be an easy fix after the hard part of getting to it.

[guy99]

Originally Posted by bkahler

...

If you can figure out how to get into it without tearing out the fridge wall I'd like to hear about it.

This deadbolt has been on my "hit" list for quite some time but I just haven't been able to get to it.

Definitely keep us posted.

Good luck!

Brad

I think the following manual section is referring to the handle with the deadbolt. Sorry about the size, I didn't see how I could reduce it:





Thanks, BTW, for providing the pdf of the manual. You'll notice that no mention of the deadbolt is here but I think this has got to be the handle with the lock in it. I will keep you posted.

I won't get to this for a few weeks since the MH is 200 miles away and I have to finish painting a house and doing home repairs before we can return to the MH.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by guy99

I think the following manual section is referring to the handle with the deadbolt. Sorry about the size, I didn't see how I could reduce it:


Thanks, BTW, for providing the pdf of the manual. You'll notice that no mention of the deadbolt is here but I think this has got to be the handle with the lock in it. I will keep you posted.

I won't get to this for a few weeks since the MH is 200 miles away and I have to finish painting a house and doing home repairs before we can return to the MH.

Guy,

I did see that reference in the manual back when I was trying to figure out what to do about the dead bolt. What I was concerned with at that time and still am is it still doesn't provide access to the lock motor unless that is done from the outside. I've been leary of drilling the two holes and taking the deadbolt off only to have the motor fall down inside the wall .

Needless to say I'm very interested in whatever you find out about these dead bolts and their motors!

Brad

PS, you're welcome on the pdf!

[Buttercup]

I had this happen to me in Death Valley - lucliky we left one window open a little. A screen is easier to replace than a window, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I replaced the deadbolt tumbler and shaft with a brand new one and it works like a champ now. You don't need a locksmithh if you can get the same lock - I forget the brand deadbolt it is at the moment.

Take a look at Overlander '77 | Replace Deadbolt | Replace Deadbolt

[Keyair]

Interesting thread...
My 345 has damage and a patch right behind the door... Now I know what happened... whatever it hit tore off the outside handle.
I have two locks on the main handle so It seem secure, but I would like to make it good..
Anyone found a suitable replacement for the handle and lock?

[Keyair]

Can someone post a good pic of the outside handle/lock so I can go hunting for a replacement?
On mine, the outside Handle is missing, and the inner thing... what is that and what does it do... Mine is hanging off... and only one wire that goes to the little tube that is spring clipped into the back of it. Is it a mercury switch? How should it work?
I have a rocker switch on the dash... That should throw the deadbolt?