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2005 H3 Marathon – LOCKED OUT
2005 H3 Marathon – Locked OUT
I hate to post this, but here goes… In July I had surgery and decided to come up to Iowa to lie around the house to mend. No need to bring the coach so prepped it to sit for a few months and hope to come back in November to everything looking good. Wwwwwwwwell, just as we were getting ready to leave the driveway, I thought I would do a last minute walk though to double check the security cams, water, a/c units, etc.
I reached for the door handle and somehow the coach had locked. No problem I thought, click with the fob, no problem it sounded like it always does when you press the lock/unlock with the plunger going in or out. I thought my problem was solved – WRONG, still locked. Ok, I’ll try the door lock combination, worked great with that familiar thump of the lock mechanism plunging in or out. Wrong again, still locked.
With the coach being secured and all, I decided to tackle this problem when we return in the fall. I have read so much about the problem happening to others, but being my H3 seemed to be fine, I just assumed the problem was fixed by the 2004 production year. Again wrong.
Marathon Florida tells me to jump the toll window wires to get the window down and then all I need to do is put a pole/stick/rod/whatever with a hook on the end to reach through to access the door handle on the passengers door and the door will open. Once in I will do whatever is necessary so this will not happen again, but I’m afraid the solution is more complicated from what all I can find. Some talk about drilling an access hole behind the outside door handle to get to the working arts of the lock. Some say the removal of the front windshield is the only way to get back in aside of breaking a side window.
Anyone else that has had a similar problem would share their experience? I’ve got two months to sit up here in Iowa to figure this out and have all the necessary tools needed so when I return I can take care of the problem. Thanks – Ron
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6 Replies
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If the lock is moving (the thump), is it possible your air lock is engaged? If so, some coaches will unlock by turning off the 24V (and or 12V) disconnect in the engine compartment. If not you can bleed off the air from the system and the air lock will disengage.
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Bill, That is what I suggested on the other site but he said that was not it.
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On my XL, the linkage on the back of the handle broke. Luckily I had an unlocked bedroom window at the time and was able to climb in, remove the door panel, and pull on the linkage. When I replaced the handle, I added a cable that comes into the cornering light housing that I can pull if it happens again.
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The linkage is what I suspect. The lock seems to be stuck in the locked position. The plungers move, but appear to not be connected to the locking linkage. The outside door handle lifts up with no friction as if it is connecting to anything. Than ks for the input…
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While I was enjoying the new Mexico sunshine i stepped out to enjoy the day as I tried to get back inside I noticed that the door handle was not working. Fortunately my bride was inside the bus. She opened the bedroom window and i was able to climb inside. After removing the door panel i was able to release the latch manually. I found the latch pivot point had sheared off.and was not releasing the catch.
I was able to find a replacement and installed within 45 minutes.
I would recommend included a spray of lubricant every couple of years to avoid this from happening.
A person might be able to drill a series of holes around the inside door handle and break it out then reach inside and trip the release. Or just be lucky enough to have someone inside when it fails
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How did this one work out?
Mike
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