I got mine working by removing the end plate of the casing and cleaning
the piston inside the solenoid which had becone corroded from moisture.
Because removing the end plate makes the metal tabs holding it less able
to grip the plate, I added some expoy to ensure the plate stayed in
place. This seems to have worked OK. If an automotive replacement
cannot be found for an unrepairable solenoid, it would be an easy matter
to buy a new 12v solenoid of similar "pill" from an electronics supply
house. Probably a lot cheaper than the $100 or so mentioned for a
pneumatic system.
PS For those who don't especially like vacuum operated headlights, a
simple and inexpensive 12v gear motor can easily be adapted to actuate
the mechanism. This avoids an area of potential vacuum leaks and will
work just as well.
George Schiro
Pete Freeland wrote:
>
> I am in the process of cleaning up and doing routine maintenance on
> my white '75 (VIN 2790) and the driver's side door lock solenoid
> isn't working. I have a couple of questions:
>
> 1. Is it possible to repair this or is there some maintenance that
> should be done on these to help preserve them?
>
> 2. If the unit can't be fixed, is there an immediate cross-reference
> for this part? I would be surprised if this is a unique
> Bricklin-only part.
>
> I have confirmed that I have good voltage to the unit. It simply
> isn't moving the push rod that is attached to the door latch. I
> believe it failed as a result of the latch needing lubrication.
>
> As a general note, I had a problem with my door staying locked and
> being stuck in the car. I found that several of the screws that
> attach the latch mechanism to the door structure had become loose and
> allowed the door latch to shift. More important, the door latch
> needed internal lubrication. After spraying WD-40 into the mechanism
> inside the door and working it for a few minutes I was able to
> restore the normal function. I am planning to do the same to my
> passenger door this weekend to help prevent what happened to me on
> the driver side door.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Pete Freeland
> Portland, Oregon
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