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Re: Driver's Side Door Lock Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Sun, 25 May 2008 21:07:36
In Reply to: Driver's Side Door Lock, Cavrider, Sun, 25 May 2008 19:28:26 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Is it the lock or the latch?
Namely, can you unlock the door (key turns, or you can pull up the button?) Or, does the button pop up when you turn the key, but pressing on the outside latch or pulling on the inside latch does nothing?
Trick question, as the solution starts out the same for both. If when you turn the key the button doesn't pop up, then the mechanism on the back of the lock cylinder has fallen off. If the button pops up, but you feel no resistance when you press the latch release on the outside, or pull the inside handle, then the locking mechanism isn't releasing internally. Lastly, if when pressing the outside latch or pulling the inside handle you feel resistance, but the door won't open, then the latch mechanism is binding.
If the button pops up when you turn the key and you feel resistance when you press the outside release or the inside handle, from the outside of the car, PRESS on the top of the door near the rear edge. Then press the outside release button, but don't pull on the door handle. See if the door releases. If so, the latch mechanism is binding. This could be the latch just got out of alignment, or the door /frame has shifted. Usually moving the bolt/pin on the door frame fixes it.
For anything else - button won't pop up, or does, but you feel no resistance on the releases, or you do and the door press trick won't work, you need to remove the door inner panel. The release system is a series of levers and rods, and it's not uncommon for one or more to come loose, or just bend enough that it won't release. You need to remove the inner panel, release the latch, and then with the door open, you can peer in better and figure out what is wrong. There are too many things to describe, but usually actuating the system with the panel off a few times will let you see what do to.
Yes, you can remove the panel with the door closed. No, it's not easy. Remove the screws from the inside handle as if the door were open. The real trick is getting the bottom of the door free. You'll need to start from the back seat, with the driver's seat pushed all the way forward. Slip a putty knife in between the door panel and the door at the bottom, and pop it out. The bottom of the door is held in with plastic pop fasteners. You can then start 'unzipping' the door. At some point you'll need to slide the seat all the way back, and somewhat upside down, pop out the rest of the bottom of the door. You can then lift the panel up, and with a lot more work, move it out of the way. Cranking the seat back all the way back helps.
Don't fret - it can be done. Just be patient and try and be clever. A garage full of random tools will help - slipping in a yardstick and twisting it, and other long, thin reaching tools will come in handy.
posted by 76.202.162...
, Sun, 25 May 2008 21:07:36 <-- Viewing This Message
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