I was working on my 98 Disco and locked everything up. I went back out to check on something. When I went to unlock the door, nothing happened. The key turns inside the lock and I can turn it the entire way. But, the electric doors do not actuate, nor does the key unlock the door itself.
I am going to get inside the hood and undo the battery cable - the hood is open. I am then going to check that the key works in the passenger door as well as the rear cargo. But, that should not be an issue, nonetheless, I will troubleshoot that.

What could the barrel be attached to that if I turn it, it does not engage like it should? Or, is there something else going on. I've not messed with the locks before - they have always functioned.

I do not have a fob and cannot do things remotely.

 

I recall reading about a small link that wears out or breaks. Only remedy is opening up the door to get to the mechanism and replace the link or replace the whole unit. The tumbler can be transferred to a different unit so the same key can be used. Sorry this is not personal experience, but something I read on a forum.

 

Try pulling latch while turning key, if so this means your lock latch spring is likely cooked.
It could still be the lock latch spring even without that, I would order
(X8R clip and spring kit incase link dies) and get ready to take that door apart, its fairly easy and if you own a disco you will be in the doors all the time so get to learning!

If the cheap/easy lock latch spring doesnt work, go text will tillery and get a new door lock+key and swap it in.
My disco ignition key unlocks the drivers door and nothing else, you get used to it

 

Thanks for the quick input on these. As it turns out, I already own a spring set from Lucky8. I thought they were going to fix another issue. I will try the spring trick.

Otherwise, here is another question along this line: There are three Disco IIs in the junkyard. Can I use the barrel out of one of those and swap it in to the barrel of my Disco I? I've looked on line and cannot definitively determine the length and size. I swapped out the ignition recently and want to swap the barrels but figured I would wait until a D1 showed up then grab those barrels.

 

Are you saying that the key will just spin in the lock 360° or more, or is the range of motion normal?
Either way, probably some bit of linkage broke. Pic of door handle assembly below (hat tip rovers north). You're going to have to get that door panel off and poke around.
As for using a D2 barrel, I doubt it. They look to be different animals.

 

I get normal range of motion in the lock. The key does work on the other door and the rear hatch - the hood happens to be off so I unhooked the battery to cut the alarm and entered through the passenger side.
It was tough getting the panel out. I was unable to unlock the door entirely just by pulling up on the lock from inside. After a while, I was able to shimmy the panel out while the door was closed. Then, I was able to get the door unlocked and open it and play around a bit.
Without doing any kind of mechanical fixes -other than taking the panel off, really - the door lock decided to start working again. No idea what the issue was. I have D1 door lock actuators for the driver's side that I grabbed from the junkyard previously. I may swap that one out, but I just don't know what the issue was. When I turned the key, nothing ever happened. Now, it is working fine. I had the battery off and turned the key and it unlocked the door. It must simply had ben having a bad moment. This would be the very first time in recorded history that a Land Rover Discovery 1 has every done that.

 

While you have the panel off, try to recreate the problem. Manipulate the door look finger grabby thing and turn the key back and forth. Look for anything "weird" going on with the linkage.

Unlikely. Was a clever ruse to distract from another problem brewing somewhere.
Or did I just miss the thick sarcasm?

 

When you turned the key and it worked, did it unlock mechanically or electrically? You said battery was off, do you mean disconnected or turned off at the ignition switch? (Just curiosity questions on my part).

 

Initially, the battery was on. I was getting nothing. Neither the power locks were working nor the manual aspect. Then, I unhooked the batter and went in on the panel. I've re-attached the battery cable and the locks work fine - for now. The key works in the other locks, also.