Author Topic: Child Proof Locks  (Read 439 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 4129R

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: May 2014
  • Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom, not far from Hethel the home of Lotus.
  • Posts: 2,605
Child Proof Locks
« 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.

Offline SilverBeast

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Aug 2019
  • Location: Yeadon,West Yorkshire,UK
  • Posts: 699
  • 1974 Twin Cam Special
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #1 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...

Offline dakazman

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jun 2016
  • Location: Florida
  • Posts: 3,977
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #2 on: Thursday,August 31, 2023, 06:24:34 PM »
  Been there ! They were an eye opener to me also .
Dakazman

Offline GavinT

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Oct 2016
  • Location: Queensland, Oz
  • Posts: 1,181
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #3 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.

Offline 4129R

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: May 2014
  • Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom, not far from Hethel the home of Lotus.
  • Posts: 2,605
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #4 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.

Offline Footer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Nov 2019
  • Location: Freeland, Michigan 48623
  • Posts: 155
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #5 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

Offline Kendo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Jul 2015
  • Location: Northern California
  • Posts: 559
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #6 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.

Offline 4129R

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: May 2014
  • Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom, not far from Hethel the home of Lotus.
  • Posts: 2,605
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #7 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 !

Offline Richard48Y

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Oct 2020
  • Location: No. Nevada
  • Posts: 1,564
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #8 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.

Offline Footer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Nov 2019
  • Location: Freeland, Michigan 48623
  • Posts: 155
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 09:09:54 AM »
Found them .  Thanks!   :trophy:

Offline Bainford

  • Twin Cam 3682R
  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: Nova Scotia
  • Posts: 1,661
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #10 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...?
The Twin Cam plays the symphony whilst my right foot conducts the orchestra. At 3800 rpm the Mad Pipe Organ joins in.

Trevor

Offline cazman

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Nov 2021
  • Location: Upstate NY
  • Posts: 239
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #11 on: Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 10:18:51 AM »
 :beerchug:yup
1973 Europa TCS

Offline Bryan Boyle

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Feb 2022
  • Location: Fall River MA
  • Posts: 751
  • 1974 Europa JPS #142 3291R
    • Lotus Europa Collection
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #12 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.
Bryan Boyle
Fall River MA
Morrisville PA
Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline FourLoti

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Apr 2023
  • Location: Central Ohio
  • Posts: 186
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #13 on: Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 11:37:49 AM »
Plus One for Dremel!
« Last Edit: Tuesday,September 05, 2023, 11:39:59 AM by FourLoti »
1974 TVR 2500M
1996 Porsche 993 Carrera Coupe
2005 Mitsubishi Montero Limited
1974 Europa Twin Cam Special 5-Speed (gone)
1987 Esprit Turbo (gone)
1980 Eclat (gone)
1963 Elan S1 (gone)
1970 Europa S2 (gone)

Offline Richard48Y

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Oct 2020
  • Location: No. Nevada
  • Posts: 1,564
Re: Child Proof Locks
« Reply #14 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!