The lock on my driver side door has been giving me problems for a while. When I put the key in, it is super hard to lock/unlock. The door does not lock when using the lock/unlock switch inside the car. The only way for me to lock it or unlock it is with the key. And sometimes it doesnt want to turn.

What do I need to replace to fix this? The whole handle assembly? Which will mean doing both since that will require a different key?

Thanks,
Matt

 

Try greasing the bar that connects the lock to the door. It may be catching.


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Sounds like the actuator is working (if it TRIES to lock / unlock) but it's physically incapable...as suggested, try some grease on that bar.


Does it work normally when you physically push on the lock/unlock button..NOT THE WINDOW SWITCH BUTTON but the actual one on the door?

 

Ill try manually locking/unlocking with my hand on the lock thats on the door and get back to you. And Ill try greasing it.

When I try to lock it with the auto switch on the door, it tries to lock it but cant fully lock it, it starts making this weird noise... kind of like when you are pulling on the handle when someone else unlocks the door and it didnt unlock it.

 

OMG i have had this exact problem for a super long time! I'm watching this post. It behaves the same way. It hiccups when you press the button, then I have to force the lock all the way close with my finger to actually lock the door. I have to UNLOCK my car from the passenger side. My key will not turn at all in the drivers side door lock. Is this because of the tumblers inside?

Somehow I don't think grease will help with this....?

 

lol I'm kind of excited because I thought I was going nuts with this stupid door. I've taken it apart several times and tightened the lock cylinder thinking it was loose and checked all the rods leading out and down but nothing seemed "wrong" To me it definitely seems internal with the lock cylinder itself and maybe the actuator. /shrug

 

I just tried locking/unlocking the lock on the door handle itself and I cannot do either. The only way to lock/unlock is with the key from the outside. It felt as if something was resisting me trying to push the lock in order to lock the door.

 

Remove the door panel and see if you can view the bar that connects the lock cylinder to the lock / unlock button on the door. Perhaps the bar is bent or otherwise obstructed?

 

all the bars were fine. It seems the problem is with the part that the bars connect to down at the door latch. I took it all apart and am just going to replace the whole unit. Anyone know what its called? It looks like the part that latches to the frame when the door shuts is one big piece with what the bars connect in to.

 

Im going with grease as well. If it tries to unlock and doesn't then there is obviously resistance from something. WD-40 or synthetic grease can go a long way. I wouldnt try to use the keyless until you figure it out or you might have to replace the actuator as well

 

You most likely only need the door lock actuator. I've had the same issue and had to replace 2 of mine so far. That "one big piece" you are referring to is actually 2 pieces screwed together and one of those pieces is the door lock actuator. It's pretty pricy so I've just got my last 2 at the pick'n'pull place for like 10 bucks.

 

Ok, ill try to track a used one down. Thanks for the help!

 

To further piggy back off the thread, Metalgod, you think the actuator would cause resistance inside the lock cylinder for my issue? or does that really seem more like maybe cylinder AND actuator? I like that pick n pull idea though.

 

I think it could just be the actuator causing that. Kinda strange you have trouble turning the key in the door lock tho. But I know the actuator can cause the inside door lock to not close or open all the way, as that was what mine was doing as well and used actuator fixed it. I would replace the actuator first with a used one and see if that fixes it. If not then do the door lock cylinder which may require a new key or to have it set up to match your old key. Good luck!

 

So I took apart the door and the latch part with the moving parts/spring felt way wrong. It was clunky, loose, rigid, and real sloppy. I replaced it with a new latch and kept my actuator. Now my door locks and unlocks. Have to finish putting it back together to see if the automatic locks work.

Thanks for all the help so far!

Matt

 

My front passenger side lock is not working... :P
Key does not lock it, neither the flip button near the handle.

Hmm...

Any suggestions before I pull the Door Trim apart ?

Edit:
It locks with key if I hold the key like pushing the key down from the black part of the key and push up the key side. Lol I cant explain. May be we can say by tilting. The key...

 

Alright it's almost fixed by moving this a bit...


I never knew if you turn the passenger side key twice; central lock kicks in and unlock all doors
I wonder if this is on all 4gens...

 

on my 99 it does it for both pass and driver First turn is that door only, 2nd is all doors

 

One eight turn unlocks only that door. Turn a full quarter turn the first time for my 95 and it unlocks all doors.

 

I have also had some issues with the key not turning the lock. The resistance in the lock eventually twisted my old key so bad it broke one day. I've shot some graphite powder in there one time which helped a little but eventually started seizing up again. I've recently sprayed some "dry spray lubricant" in there which has helped for the time being.