Stuck Door Lock

[ckinart]

Hi all,

Not sure if this should be here or in the Electronics section, but anyway... Over the past few months, I noticed that my front passenger door lock would not always lock/unlock when I pressed the lock/unlock buttons (on either door and/or the keyless entry). I'd have to lock/unlock/lock/unlock it a few times and then the actuator would seem to "catch" and work properly. Well, now the door is locked, and the actuator won't actuate at all. I've tried unlocking the door with the key, and it won't budge. Is this likely an actuator problem, or is the lock cylinder/linkage seized up (causing the actuator to fail)? If the actuator fails in the locked position, can it keep me from unlocking the door with the key? If disconnecting the mechanical connection to the actuator would allow me to lock/unlock that door with the key as a temporary fix, I'll do that until it gets a little warmer out and I can tackle replacement of the actuator.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

<small>[ January 13, 2004, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: ckinart ]</small>

 

[PuckHead]

If you've tried using the key to unlock the door and it doesn't work, it is probably a combination of things.

Over time, the various pivot points where the linkages connect get all crusty and/ or corroded, along with possible actuator failure.

Hard to give you a quick-fix without seeing the whole interior of the door and all the parts.

Luckily, used door/window/lock parts should be readily available at your local junk-yard.

Once you get the interior door panel off and can see, you should be able to diagnose and/ or fix it relatively easily. Good luck!

Later!
burnout

 

[Emerald94]

It cost me cdn$300 to fix this same problem.

 

[ckinart]

Well, I'm pretty sure that replacing the lock actuator is a pain (limited access), and as with most things for the SHO, I don't imagine they're cheap (not that they're SHO specific). My greatest concern right now is that the door is closed and locked, and I can't get it open.

Fortunately I don't have passengers very often, so I guess I'll just wait for the warmer (read: above -15 C) weather to take a look.

Corey

 

[PuckHead]

Emerald94:
It cost me cdn$300 to fix this same problem.

I think you got hosed on that one.

Seeing as how all the Tauri and Sables use the same equipment for the doors, and seeing as how there are hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of them out there, parts are readily available.

If the actuator is fouled up, it could be binding the lock linkage so that the backside of the cylinder won't turn, therein lies the problem with using the key as well.

One way or another, he's going to have to get the door panel off to get to it.

Worst case I've had, and might be what he'll have to do?

REMOVE the passenger seat from the car without being able to OPEN the passenger side door so that he can have access to everything to get the panel off and have room to work. Not fun, nor easy.

I'm in and out of door panels all the time (I'm a Locksmith), so if there is something else I can be of assistance with, just gimme a shout.

Later!
burnout

 

[SolidState]

hey corey, you are describing my problems to a tee...

give me a call @ 905-260-2665 tonight if you get a chance and I will give you the full skiney on what I have determined...

cheers

 

[SolidState]

oh, and it is my passanger side door as well...

I think something is binding it up bad...could be the latch or the accuator.

I figure I am going end up busting the panel off the inside and finding a replacement. then I am going to remove the accuator and pry the latch open and replace all the rods, accuators and latch assmeblies.

I am pretty sure it is the latch itself, but I don't really have a way of telling.

It is interesting to note that the accuators have a latex boot over them that tends to deteriorate. if water gets into the accuator, it will freeze quickly in the temperatures we are having lately...

it is most frusturating, as all my locks are slow/lazy from the cold, the key cylinder rod is broken on the drivers door, and the passanger door is inoperable....

 

[Emerald94]

Well, it was done at a Ford dealership... wink

PuckHead:

Emerald94:
It cost me cdn$300 to fix this same problem.

I think you got hosed on that one.

Seeing as how all the Tauri and Sables use the same equipment for the doors, and seeing as how there are hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of them out there, parts are readily available.

If the actuator is fouled up, it could be binding the lock linkage so that the backside of the cylinder won't turn, therein lies the problem with using the key as well.

One way or another, he's going to have to get the door panel off to get to it.

Worst case I've had, and might be what he'll have to do?

REMOVE the passenger seat from the car without being able to OPEN the passenger side door so that he can have access to everything to get the panel off and have room to work. Not fun, nor easy.

I'm in and out of door panels all the time (I'm a Locksmith), so if there is something else I can be of assistance with, just gimme a shout.

Later!
burnout

 

[ckinart]

SolidState:
hey corey, you are describing my problems to a tee...

give me a call @ 905-260-2665 tonight if you get a chance and I will give you the full skiney on what I have determined...

Hey Teg, sorry I didn't call you last nite, but I didn't see this post until this morning. I'll try to reach you sometime over the weekend.

Puckhead:
REMOVE the passenger seat from the car without being able to OPEN the passenger side door so that he can have access to everything to get the panel off and have room to work. Not fun, nor easy.

That I am not doing. There's got to be a better way than that.

SolidState:
I figure I am going end up busting the panel off the inside and finding a replacement. then I am going to remove the accuator and pry the latch open and replace all the rods, accuators and latch assmeblies.

I'm thinking that the problem is a combination of gummed up pivot points/linkages that led to the failure of the actuator. I think that if I can get that door unlocked, it'll open just fine. Before I go ripping door panels off, I'm thinking that I'll try taking the car to a garage and see if they can "persuade" the lock linkage to unlock the door with the mechanical assistance of a slim jim. Then I can get the panel off and assess the situation from there.

Like I said before though, this isn't particularly high on my priority list, so I'll probably wait until the weather improves a bit.

Corey

 

[Blackheart4355]

Well guys,

I have a similar problem on my 94. All doors will unlock using the keyless entry key fob. If I only unlock the drivers door using keyless entry, I can't unlock the rest of the car using the drivers side inner switch, but if I reach across and use the passengers it will work. Also, the drivers window button works perfect, the one for the front pass window on drivers side kinda works and the rear ones won't....any ideas??

 

[SolidState]

did you get it fixed up?

 

[ckinart]

SolidState:
did you get it fixed up?

If you're talking to me, then sort of. I haven't really done much to try to fix it, but I noticed on Monday that with the (relatively) warmer weather, the actuator began working again. I pulled the panel and greased up everything I could, and put it back together. Seems to work intermittently now, so I'm likely looking at a new actuator at some point. But, as long as the weather doesn't get too cold again, I might be able to put this off for quite a while longer!

 

[SolidState]

well, my windsheild got cracked on wednesday when a rock hit it on the 401 at about 130km/h.

The front doors need to be opened to replace the windsheild, so I paid the windsheild place $42cdn to get the door open.

the actuator works fine, and the latch does without the actuator on it, so I am now going to replace both. For now I have just removed the actuator.