I currently have my drivers door lock stripped down, the barrel has never worked since I owned the car and decided to clean and re-lube the barrel. I have changed the handle a couple of times and found it easier to push the retaining clip up so that the barrel comes out inside the door cavity. Its easier to put the connecting rod into the door barrel and make sure the plastic surround clip is firmly seated into the door barrel actuating lever to keep the connecting rod firm in the hole before lifting the barrel assembly back into the door handle body then sliding the retaining clip back down.
One thing I have noticed is that the clip can open up a little, leaving the barrel a bit loose in its aperture. So it may be a good idea to remove the clip and try to close it up a little before refitting the barrel.
I now have a question. Does the barrel once free move both ways and return back to the center when the key is removed. Also does the connecting rod from the door barrel lever that fits into the lower lever actuator for the door lock mechanism hold the lever midway when the key is removed or does it push the lever down.
Testing the switch that the lever operates inside the door lock mech, I get an on signal with the lever fully up and fully down ( this is the lever that the door barrel operates via the link rod) and a open signal in between. I presume the barrel sits centrally and only operates the switch inside the door lock mechanism when fully turned to the left or the right.
I will be putting it all back together tomorrow after removing the lock unit to test the function of all the switches. They all seem to work ok and the locking motor and superlock seem to work too when I tested them on the bench.
Its just the correct function of the barrel turning that I am not sure on and how it triggers the switch inside the door lock mechanism.
Any input will be most appreciated.
Here is a pic of the lock mech and the lever in question...
Sundance