Hi!

Please forgive me if this question has been asked before, this is my first post, and I need some help.

I just bought a 1996 Discovery, and I have a few problems.

The key that came with the car, WILL start the vehicle, and unlock the rear door, but, it will NOT "unlock/lock" the drivers and passenger door, when you insert the key into the door, it will not twist, all you can do is simple insert the key.

Also, no matter what you do or try, you can't lock the vehicle, as soon as you shut a door, the locks will automatically, pop up.

Can anyone please give me some advice?

Thank you for your help and time!
Kalev

 

There should have been 2 keys, one for the doors, one for the ignition.

As for the auto-unlock .. that was kind of annoying I believe its triggered from the drivers door, try hitting the lock using the rear door and see if it will keep from unlocking (think I did this for a while, but cant remember for sure).

I had a bad driver door switch keeping me from locking mine

 

In regards to the locks popping right back up, it is probably because someone took the door apart and didn't put it back together right. My passenger door does the same thing, and it just so happens the PO took that door apart a little before I purchased it.

 

try turning the key harder! i didnt know you could lock the doors from the outside for like the first 6 months. mine seems really hard to do though

 

Hi Nuclearw, thank you for responding

I just talked to the previous owner, and apparently he has only ever had one key, and says that the key "should" work in all doors and the ignition.

I tried that, and sadly, the same thing happens. Its pretty odd, the only way I can lock the doors, is if the key is in the ignition.

This seems to be my kind of luck

 

Hi Tylor36

Sadly, I think you are right, I have the feeling that the doors have been played with a few to many times.

Odd thing is, if you want to open the passenger door, or the rear door, you have to hold the lock up while opening the door, its pretty odd...

Thank you for responding, I appreciate any help

 

Hi Gunsanroses91...

I just might try that, I'm afraid of breaking the key :\

Its odd, you can insert the key, and that is it, it acts like it is simply the wrong key.

I tried the key that came with my twin parts car, and oddly enough, and to further complicate things, the single key opened everything, and started the car!

The plot thickens!

Thank you!

 

The keys are physically the same, but the groves are different. If my 97 has 2 keys, I can't imagine your earlier model would have had just one. Not to say the locks couldn't be re-keyed to operate with a single key, but this would have had to be a custom job by a locksmith, or at least someone knowledgeble bout the tumbler mechanics.


If it all works fine in your parts car go ahead and swap the locks, no harm no foul

I also agree, my driver door is easy to unlock, but trying to lock it feels like the key should be close to breaking... These are heavy duty keys tho so they should take more than say an older GM key

Point being, if you have a backup key (and if you dont I suggest getting one anyway) whats the worst that can happen? You break the key in the door you cant lock anyways ...

 

@nuclearw and Kalev...

Regarding the issue of 2 keys or 1 key, I am the original owner of my 1997 Dscvry SE7. When I bought the vehicle, I was given 2 electronic transmitters (key fobs) to open the vehicle doors and 2 identical metal cut keys. The same key opened the doors and started the ignition, which made things easy. 1 key fob was gone when in the pocket of a stolen coat; other fob was misplaced when its battery died. Key fobs were too expensive to replace at dealer, so I never bothered. I made extra copies of the single door/ignition key and lived happily ever after...until recently, when a bad person got access to my single key! To solve that problem, a locksmith changed only the ignition to a new key, but left the original key/locks intact for the 4 driver/passenger doors, cargo door, and gas tank. This way, if that bad person got inside my truck with the stolen key, that key wouldn't turn the ignition. It was the most cost-efficient fix for me. So, based on my solution to my problem, it could be that other owners needed to change the ignition key over the years (especially if vehicle ownership changed), but didn't bother to change the doors/gas tank locks b/c it's a PITA and expensive. That could be why nuclearw has 2 different keys...like I now do!

 

Also, Kalev...I think the locks automatically popping up has something to do with the locks being pulled up (unlocked) by a passenger before the driver has unlocked his/her door. The Dscvry has a certain order to the unlocking/ locking of its doors, and alot of it is controlled by the driver's door. I don't have my vehicle right now to see if I can replicate your problem, but I know my vehicle has done that "locks popping up" thing. I'll post if I remember why, or if the manual explains it. Also, I think locking the driver's door from the outside with the key is the only way to lock the vehicle properly and arm its alarm system, unless there is a way to lock the truck from the inside with the cargo door open, and then climb out the cargo door, shut that door, and lock it with the key . I've never tried it, but when I get my truck back, I can let you know if it works!