Totally OT:opening the back doors on a Ford Transit

Post by michael adams
I've just hired a ford transit and have just realised there's
no lock on the back door, and I can't get it open. Its
an old fashioned key - the bit of metal in a black fob.
The people I hired it from close at 5.30 and I'm totally at
a loss, as I wanted to load it tonight. Help!

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

michael adams

2007-12-06 18:58:56 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

Yes. Its a 260 SWB. There's a turnable knob on the right of the dashborad
with three positions - an arrow at either side and a dot at the top
which I thought was maybe the central locking but that doesn't seem
to do any good, even with the key turned in the ignition and everything
lit up. michael adams

...

Niel J Humphreys

2007-12-06 19:09:43 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

I have just bought a Tranny (350 LWB) at auction as a replacement for my old
van and it's a weird setup on mine.

The key opens the two front doors and ignition etc.

Then there is another little plastic square fob thing on the keyring with
three buttons (two black, one blue) which operates the central locking for
the rear and side doors - these doors on mine can only be unlocked remotely
using the fob. Very strange and doesn't make sense but hope this helps with
yours...

--
Niel H
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Snowdon-Computers
http://www.ebayfaq.co.uk/

michael adams

2007-12-06 19:26:58 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

I have just bought a Tranny (350 LWB) at auction as a replacement for my old
van and it's a weird setup on mine.
The key opens the two front doors and ignition etc.
Then there is another little plastic square fob thing on the keyring with
three buttons (two black, one blue) which operates the central locking for
the rear and side doors - these doors on mine can only be unlocked remotely
using the fob. Very strange and doesn't make sense but hope this helps with
yours...

Thanks Neil. The fob on this has one plasic square on the right corner
of the end flat.

Sorry to sound a complete turnip, but which way round do you hold
it - with the metal pointing towards the van ? And where on the van are
the sensors. And I take it you just squeeze the fob.

As may be evident, the last time I hired a Van or ran a car was around 20
years ago. Hence the clean licence. You're safe anyway, I'm miles away.

michael adams

...

Post by Niel J Humphreys
--
Niel H
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Snowdon-Computers
http://www.ebayfaq.co.uk/

Niel J Humphreys

2007-12-06 19:34:04 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

I have just bought a Tranny (350 LWB) at auction as a replacement for my old
van and it's a weird setup on mine.
The key opens the two front doors and ignition etc.
Then there is another little plastic square fob thing on the keyring with
three buttons (two black, one blue) which operates the central locking for
the rear and side doors - these doors on mine can only be unlocked remotely
using the fob. Very strange and doesn't make sense but hope this helps with
yours...

Hm I think we may have different keys. Here's mine
Loading Image...

I just press all the buttons on the square thing until the doors unlock,
haven't yet looked to see what they do. I only ever lock it on the rare
occasions I leave my home area anyway. Mine works as long as I am in the
general vicinity of the van - but from inside the cab you can't hear the
locks unlocking.

--
Niel H
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Snowdon-Computers
http://www.ebayfaq.co.uk/

michael adams

2007-12-06 19:39:53 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

I have just bought a Tranny (350 LWB) at auction as a replacement for my old
van and it's a weird setup on mine.
The key opens the two front doors and ignition etc.
Then there is another little plastic square fob thing on the keyring with
three buttons (two black, one blue) which operates the central locking for
the rear and side doors - these doors on mine can only be unlocked remotely
using the fob. Very strange and doesn't make sense but hope this helps with
yours...

Hm I think we may have different keys. Here's mine
http://www.snowdoncomputers.co.uk/Key.jpg
I just press all the buttons on the square thing until the doors unlock,
haven't yet looked to see what they do. I only ever lock it on the rare
occasions I leave my home area anyway. Mine works as long as I am in the
general vicinity of the van - but from inside the cab you can't hear the
locks unlocking.

Thanks for that Neil. I only have the key - which is exactly the same
as yours with the blue square on the edge but not the remote thing. It
looks like they're definitely at fault.

Maybe I can swing it for the weekend although I only really need it for the day.
Again, thanks very much for your help, and trouble taken.

michael adams

...

Post by Niel J Humphreys
--
Niel H
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Snowdon-Computers
http://www.ebayfaq.co.uk/

scream

2007-12-09 22:23:59 UTC

Post by Niel J Humphreys
Hm I think we may have different keys. Here's mine
http://www.snowdoncomputers.co.uk/Key.jpg
I just press all the buttons on the square thing until the doors unlock,
haven't yet looked to see what they do. I only ever lock it on the rare
occasions I leave my home area anyway. Mine works as long as I am in the
general vicinity of the van - but from inside the cab you can't hear the
locks unlocking.

large black button top left of fob - single press = lock all doors, double
press = deadlock all doors.
smaller black button top right of fob - single press = unlock cab, double
press = unlock all doors.
blue button = unlock rear and side loading door, leaves cab locked (if
already locked)

plus the auction label says Jumbo, if that is true it is the extra long
wheel base (4m internal length). Generally worth a bit more than a standard
LWB.

Niel J Humphreys

2007-12-10 09:08:51 UTC

Post by scream

Aha cheers for that. Cab either doesn't have central locking or it's bust
then hence my confusion. :)

Post by scream
plus the auction label says Jumbo, if that is true it is the extra long
wheel base (4m internal length). Generally worth a bit more than a
standard LWB.

Aye it's the big one. :) Bargain for £2500 on an 02 plate I thought when I
bought it last month....

--
Niel H
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Snowdon-Computers
http://www.ebayfaq.co.uk/

scream

2007-12-10 21:25:07 UTC

Post by scream

Aha cheers for that. Cab either doesn't have central locking or it's bust
then hence my confusion. :)

the front and back doors operate on different systems on some models so the
front may have failed BUT if all the doors lock when you turn the key in the
drivers door to the left twice then it is usually something else.

Check the condition of the wiring harness at the point where it enters the
front doors and disconnect and reconnect the sockets if accessible. May be a
broken wire or dirt in the socket.

Then try to resynch your remote, with all doors shut sit in the vehicle and
rapidly switch the ignition on and off (to position II) 8 times with the
final resting position with the battery light on. All doors should lock and
unlock several times, then press lock and unlock on the remote. Should now
be resynched and that may solve the problem.

Post by scream
plus the auction label says Jumbo, if that is true it is the extra long
wheel base (4m internal length). Generally worth a bit more than a
standard LWB.

Aye it's the big one. :) Bargain for £2500 on an 02 plate I thought when I
bought it last month....

Very nice van usually, check it has the wiring loom shield fitted on the
back doors (strip of metal protecting the wiring loom from external attack
where it passes from the back pillar to the back door). If it isn't fitted
get one/bodge one, it doesnt matter if you are not worried about theft from
the vehicle, it screws up ALL the central locking and is expensive to fix.

(not quite so) Fat Sam

2007-12-06 19:16:50 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

Yes. Its a 260 SWB. There's a turnable knob on the right of the
dashborad with three positions - an arrow at either side and a dot at
the top
which I thought was maybe the central locking but that doesn't seem
to do any good, even with the key turned in the ignition and
everything
lit up. michael adams
...

Well, if it's completely unuseable to you, you should take it back first
thing tomorrow AM, and kick up a stink about how they rented you a dud van
which you were unable to use.
They'll probably argue that you should have inspected the van before driving
off with it, but you could counter-argue that they should have given you a
rudimentary familiarisation tour of the vehicle.
If necessary, sit down in their reception area and every time a customer
comes in, raise the issue again with their staff, and demand to know what
THEY are going to do to correct THEIR mistake which has cost YOU money.
There's nothing that puts off new customers quicker than seeing a
disgruntled customer trying desperately to get some form of justice, and
they know that. Once they realise you're damaging their trade, they'll do
whatever it takes to make you go away.

michael adams

2007-12-06 19:31:14 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

Yes. Its a 260 SWB. There's a turnable knob on the right of the
dashborad with three positions - an arrow at either side and a dot at
the top
which I thought was maybe the central locking but that doesn't seem
to do any good, even with the key turned in the ignition and
everything
lit up. michael adams
...

It may be that I need to use the key as a remote as Niel has suggested,
as it has the square blue thing on the back. I haven't driven a van
for 20 years - but I didn't go out of my way to point this out,
(hence my clean licence) but otherwise maybe I should be expected to
know how it works. I could blather about it missing the handbook
but I don't want to piss them off if I can help it, as they're local
and cheap.

michael adams

...

Grooove

2007-12-06 20:01:07 UTC

Post by michael adams
It may be that I need to use the key as a remote as Niel has
suggested, as it has the square blue thing on the back. I haven't
driven a van for 20 years - but I didn't go out of my way to point
this out, (hence my clean licence) but otherwise maybe I should be
expected to know how it works. I could blather about it missing the
handbook but I don't want to piss them off if I can help it, as
they're local and cheap.

Found this on a Transit review.. It's only partial help but it may give a
clue:

"Configurable unlocking

This new optional feature allows the driver to choose which doors to
unlock, and in which order, when selected buttons are pressed on the
remote key fob. The third button can be configured to operate additional
features such as lighting and winches. The system provides added driver
confidence and further enhances the new Ford Transits already excellent
security credentials. "

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David ~ Lincoln UK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

michael adams

2007-12-06 20:32:50 UTC

Post by Grooove

Found this on a Transit review.. It's only partial help but it may give a
"Configurable unlocking
This new optional feature allows the driver to choose which doors to
unlock, and in which order, when selected buttons are pressed on the
remote key fob. The third button can be configured to operate additional
features such as lighting and winches. The system provides added driver
confidence and further enhances the new Ford Transits already excellent
security credentials. "

Thanks for that. I'll print it out and along with Neils picture that should
do the trick. Although I'm the lemon really, for not insisting on inspecting
the inside. Or checking over the outside with the guy, in pitch dark
at 5.00 p.m in the rain. I deserve to broke and in rags really.

Anyway I should be able to smooth talk him into letting me have it til mid day
saturday, its just saturday morning Ikae I don't fancy. It was going to be a
round trip of rubbish to the recycling centre, then pick up the next load of
rubbish from Ikea.

michael adams

...

Post by Grooove
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David ~ Lincoln UK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barry Ruck

2007-12-06 19:09:19 UTC

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

Yes. Its a 260 SWB. There's a turnable knob on the right of the
dashborad with three positions - an arrow at either side and a dot

Post by michael adams
the top
which I thought was maybe the central locking but that doesn't seem
to do any good, even with the key turned in the ignition and
everything
lit up. michael adams
...

I know it sounds daft, but you unlock the drivers door, and then
unlock it again!
It took me ten mins at work before someone took pity on me the first
ime I drove a company van.

--

Duct tape is like the Force.
It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe
together.

Barry Ruck - Harlow, Essex. UK.

michael adams

2007-12-06 19:47:02 UTC

Post by Barry Ruck
in

There's normally a side door too on a Transit van.
Is that one knackered as well?

Yes. Its a 260 SWB. There's a turnable knob on the right of the
dashborad with three positions - an arrow at either side and a dot

Post by michael adams
the top
which I thought was maybe the central locking but that doesn't seem
to do any good, even with the key turned in the ignition and
everything
lit up. michael adams
...

I know it sounds daft, but you unlock the drivers door, and then
unlock it again!
It took me ten mins at work before someone took pity on me the first
ime I drove a company van.

Thanks anyway, but I just tried that and no luck. Not only that
but it's sometimes a bit of a bugger to unlock the drivers door
at all. I don't want to push my luck and get completely locked out.

michael adams

...

Post by Barry Ruck
--
Duct tape is like the Force.
It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe
together.
Barry Ruck - Harlow, Essex. UK.

michael adams

2007-12-07 12:12:43 UTC

You just unlock the passenger door twice. Oops!

I felt such a lemon when he explained it over the phone that
I swallowed the £25 extra for saturday hire on top without
a murmur.

michael adams

...

(not quite so) Fat Sam

2007-12-07 13:30:14 UTC

You just unlock the passenger door twice. Oops!
I felt such a lemon when he explained it over the phone that
I swallowed the £25 extra for saturday hire on top without
a murmur.

It would have been nice if he'd explained that to you when you hired it.
Any time I've ever hired a van, they've always taken me for a walk around
it, doing a familiarisation thing and ensuring I'm aware of any quirky
details like that.
You'd be hard pressed to get them to admit to it, but I personally think the
blame lies with them, and they should have waived that £25.

michael adams

2007-12-07 13:38:46 UTC