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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: 4129R on Thursday,August 31, 2023, 02:35:39 PM

Title: Child Proof Locks
Post by: 4129R on Thursday,August 31, 2023, 02:35:39 PM
Just a warning about these child proof locks.

After renovating a TCS, I sat in the driver's seat, but could not open the drivers door.

I had to climb over the centre tunnel and get out of the passenger door, which luckily was not child locked.

Quite why they are fitted to a two door, two seat car, I do not know, but if both doors had these locks clicked to child proof, you would not be able to get out of the car.
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: SilverBeast on Thursday,August 31, 2023, 03:41:26 PM
If you can turn the ignition on and wind down the window you can use use the exterior door handle with a lot of yoga and an appointment with an osteopath...
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: dakazman on Thursday,August 31, 2023, 06:24:34 PM
  Been there ! They were an eye opener to me also .
Dakazman
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: GavinT on Thursday,August 31, 2023, 11:06:35 PM
Back in the day, child proof locks became popular but only fitted to the back doors of sedans.
Makes me wonder what feature was so special about these locks to Colin.
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: 4129R on Thursday,August 31, 2023, 11:34:29 PM
If you can turn the ignition on and wind down the window you can use use the exterior door handle with a lot of yoga and an appointment with an osteopath...

My ignition switch had just fallen apart. I had thought of that.

New one arrived from Rimmer Bros the next day.
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Footer on Monday,September 04, 2023, 07:35:44 AM
Not familiar with the child proof lock option.  I have a 73 TCS.  It doesn’t seem to be listed in the parts manual.
Could someone point me in the right direction so I can familiarize myself with this function?

Thanks
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Kendo on Monday,September 04, 2023, 08:37:53 AM
This will be a little lever in the door lock mechanism. Slide it one way, and children can’t use the inside handle to open the door at speed. Or Europa drivers. My ‘73 has it in the lower inside corner of the door-side mechanism.
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: 4129R on Monday,September 04, 2023, 09:35:08 AM
The way to find out if the child lock is on, is to pull the black plastic inside door opener, with the door open, and if it moves freely, the lock is off.

For the record, if the little metal lever is down, the child lock is off. It is a very small L shaped lever which goes over the white plastic part of the door lock mechanism which engages with the metal hoop.

So down = off, up = on, or upon !
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Richard48Y on Monday,September 04, 2023, 11:03:39 AM
I will be removing them from my car.
Cannot think of another item so useless but possibly troublesome.
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Footer on Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 09:09:54 AM
Found them .  Thanks!   :trophy:
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Bainford on Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 09:18:43 AM
Cannot think of another item so useless but possibly troublesome.
Brake boosters on a Twin Cam...?
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: cazman on Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 10:18:51 AM
 :beerchug:yup
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Bryan Boyle on Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 10:48:14 AM
I will be removing them from my car.
Cannot think of another item so useless but possibly troublesome.

Got caught with them in the wrong position once...while the car was on a trailer!   Fun times.

I just put the lever in the non-child-proof position and use a dremel cutoff wheel to remove the visible part of the lever.  Problem solved (unless you get into the opening with a small screwdriver and flip it).  Have never had a problem since.
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: FourLoti on Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 11:37:49 AM
Plus One for Dremel!
Title: Re: Child Proof Locks
Post by: Richard48Y on Wednesday,September 06, 2023, 12:30:55 PM
On the 1970 S2's I am working on the silly locks are at the upper inside corner of the latch and Down is Off.
Chop - Chop!