The sliding door lock mechanism was changed starting with the 85 models.
The newer models allow you to lock from the inside with the door open
and then to close the door.

Mark

80 Westy Pokey wrote:
>
> Agreed, I was thinking of posing this riddle as a Friday
> Question. In my 80 anyway, the only other way would be to
> leave the windows open enough to lock the door and slip the
> key through. But anyone doing this deserves to wait for AAA /
> CAA.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
> ---- Original message ----
> >Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 08:59:30 -0700
> >From: Bill N <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
> >Subject: Re: locked out
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> >How do you lock your keys in the van?  I can't on my '81,
> even using the sliding door.  The
> >only way I know to do it is to lock the hatch while it is
> open, throw the keys inside, and then
> >shut the hatch.
> >
> >Bill
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Timothy Hannink" <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
> >>
> >> I use the side door so much that I have actually
> >> locked my keys in the van twice this year. Thank
> >> goodness for AAA, but it took him less than 3 seconds
> >> to get it unlocked with a SlimJim. Anyone know how to
> >> fix that problem?