1998 door handle lock/unlock issue

[redred98]

I've got a 1998 z71. Sometimes I can't unlock my driver door with the key. It'll bend the key and everything. I have to unlock the passenger side to crawl through. I've narrowed the problem down to a bad interior handle (I think). The handle has to be in a certain position to lock and unlock it. What needs to be fixed?

I noticed brand new interior handles for sale on Ebay for 20 bucks or so. I'm sick of leaving my doors unlocked all the time. I have a feeling someone's gonna snatch up my tools and stuff.

[billy2]

I dont think your proble is in the handles. It sounds more like the tumbler set. Is your key really bad worn? Trucks with a lot of miles wear out keys and driver door locks. Usually the ignition will still work, but the door lock wont. As around to see if you can get a new key cut by the key number in stead of just having yours copied. Copying yours if its worn will just make it worse.

You can also squirt some wd-40 in the lock cylinder, it may be dirty.

[redred98]

Upon further inspection I found that the entire door lock/unlock/handle spring and all that function quite nicely when the window is cracked a half inch or more. Now I'm thinking there's something inside the door that's jacked. I'm afraid to take it apart just yet 'cause it's 15 degrees outside.

The key is worn though. I'm intending to get the key cut - the copies are definitely untrustworthy.

[billy2]

If you crack the window? Weird. I think your proble is that the inner door is loose. It has about 6 screws holding it to the door shell. when it comes loose it can bind up everything. If you roll the window about half, check by pulling up and down on the glass. It shouldnt move a lot, I am going to say no more than an inch. If it moves a lot I would say you found your problem. All the rods are hooked to the inner door, and the lock is hooked to the door shell.