I received and installed the new door latch striker for the B-pillar of the driver's door. With the new striker, the door still closes well and still locks with the key exactly as I described using my original badly-worn striker in my response to Joe Alexander on October 23 (above).
Even though I have owned my car since 1987, until now I have not been able to lock the driver's door with the key as intended by Mercedes. At least, I can do that now, however, there is something that I do not understand. I suspect that it is not functioning correctly, although I am making it work, so I will ask here.
First, I will describe the key locking function of both the passenger door and the driver door of my car.
The passenger door can be locked or unlocked using either the inside remote control switch near the inside front of the passenger door or using the "squarish shaped" key in the outside passenger door button, but if locked, the door cannot be opened using the inside door handle unless the door is first unlocked with either the remote control switch or the "squarish shaped" key in the outside driver door button. It does not matter if the door is open or closed when locking the passenger door using the inside remote control switch or when locking it using the key on the outside. Equally, if the door is locked, it can be unlocked with either the key or the inside remote control switch near the front of the door. And when using the key to either lock or unlock the passenger door, the key must be fully inserted in the buttonbut the outside door handle button does not have to be pressed in at all before turning the key to unlock or lock the door. I think what is written in BOLD letters is as it should be, but am not sure.
Like the passenger door, the driver door will also lock and unlock using either the inside remote control switch near the inside front of the driver door or using the "squarish shaped" key in the outside driver door button. Also, like the passenger door, the driver door cannot be opened using the inside door handle unless the door is first unlocked with either the remote control switch or the "squarish shaped" key in the outside driver door button. Unlike the passenger door, the driver door cannot be locked when the door is open. Even the remote control switch does not lock the door if the door is open. This feature is apparently present to prevent the driver from locking himself or herself out of the car. The driver door must be closed for the door lock remote control button or key to lock the car. That also assumes that if the door is closed and the car is to be locked, then the window will be closed and if the driver wants to lock the door, he or she will have the key with them.
Finally, unlike the passenger door latch, to lock or unlock my driver door with the key, it is necessary to insert the key in the latch button completely, then using the key, push in the button about half way until a "semi-rigid" resistance is felt in the button movement, then turn the key clockwise (to lock) or counter-clockwise (to unlock) the door. I suspect that this BOLD sentence is not as it should be. It seems too tricky to be a Mercedes designed-in function.
The primary purpose for this long and detailed explanation of the function of my Pagoda door latches is to provide a background to help someone answer the following questions.
Is it normal to have to partially push in the door latch buttton on the driver door before turning the key to lock or unlock the door, or is there something broken or maladjusted in my driver door latch. If yes, what might it be?
Does anyone notice any other "strange functions or behavior of my door latches"?
Thanks for any advice or even observations that you can provide.
Tom Kizer