Scirocco Register

Hello, the driver's side lock has occasionally played up, but nothing a squirt of WD-40 couldn't immediately fix. Now the key only enters the lock about halfway and obviously doesn't turn. Tried WD-40, putting in a thin flathead screwdriver to try and gently wiggle something right, giving the assembly a good bash and wiggling the key. No progress. From what I can see, the first 2 or 3 tumblers move sideways as expected. The little rectangular spring loaded cover (the first thing the key touches, and pushes flat) has always been temperamental (doesn't always spring back) but now appears to not spring back at all - perhaps it could have caused debris to enter?

Luckily I've got central locking, so I can just use the passenger door to unlock, but I'm keen on getting this fixed. I've only ever had the single VW key so I could justify buying new parts if it lands me with a spare key. Current key is AH type.

I've read a few tutorials (including the one on this site to make your locks fit your key) on removing the lock barrel and taking the tumblers out. Would anyone recommend this to rebuild the lock, maybe clearing debris? What are my other options? Thanks in advance!

Hi Craig, sounds like something is adrift in the barrel (tumbler body). You can get new pattern locks but that would give you separate keys.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOOR-HANDLE-F ... -2J3PhPHIA
I would first get the barrel assembly out and see what is happening when the key goes in. You could get another barrel and use the tutorial to make the key fit if it is properly FUBAR.

Hi Colin, thanks for the advice and link - I'm surprised it's so cheap! I followed your advice and got the barrel assembly out. The main issue was that tumbler #4 was bent way out of shape, not sure how it got that bad because I certainly don't think I ever pushed the key hard enough to bend it like that! The associated spring was also mangled.


Tumbler #4 and spring

Another tumbler is slightly bent with a sharp piece meaning it doesn't slide so nice. I've filed down the sharp imperfection so it slides smoothly now.

I've simply removed the damaged tumbler #4 and will accept that the lock is now technically 4 times less secure in terms of key combinations that will unlock it. Thanks!