Drivers side door won't unlock with power locks

[ghutchin]

The only way for me to unlock the drivers side door is with the key, or inside by manual pushing it. It does lock just fine however.

Any thoughts.

[meatpimp]

It's a common problem, especially when the weather gets warmer. I have the same problem with mine, but I haven't fixed it yet.

My thoughts - it is a problem with the lock actuator (duh). Somehow it gets weaker and hte warmer temps increase the power needed to operate it and it just can't get the job done.

Why the driver's door? That actuator sees much more use than the other three.

How to replace the actuator? I want to know. The shop manual says just about nothing. I've removed the door panel and it looks seriously tough to get back to the mechanism and work on it...

Anyone have any ideas? Has anyone actually fixed this before?

[ugsrich]

Perhaps some lubrication (I'm big on non-petroleum based lubricants for these sort of things). If you've got the panel off perhaps the lube will do it. Just a simple thought.

Your point about warm weather is right on. I presume you're alluding to the fact that as circuits and wires get warmer (hotter) they develop even greater resistance (and so the voltage required goes up). So, if your battery is running low perhaps there is insufficient voltage as the circuits warm up.

Interestingly, I had this problem with passenger door when someone lifted the outside door handle at almost the exact same time I pushed the button to un-lock the doors. for the longest time the passenger lock would not unlock automatically but it would always lock automatically if openned manually. Then, without warning it simply started working again (divine intervention no doubt). If only some of the other more serious problems would rectify themselves similarly.

Good luck!

[jjdewd]

I had this problem when I was trying to open the door as I was putting it in park and the door was still trying to unlock. After that the lock didn't function electricly.

Someone told me I need a bumper kit because they wear out

I could hear the actuator functioning. I took the door panel off a couple of times to see if I could see anything but it seemed futile. On the third try I peeled up the insulation near the outer edge of the door. I managed to shove my hand into that small hole and feel for the bumper thats attached to the actuator at the outer edge of the door. While I had my hand in there, I pressed the power lock/unlock button so I could feel it moving and pulled back and forth on the rod that goes out to the manual interior lock. I fiddled around with it, by feel, and pushing the power lock button, pulling it in diffferent ways til it caught and started working.. woo hoo!! It worked for months until I knocked it off again in the same manner as above. Now that I was a pro, lol,I whipped off the panel and in 10 mins. I had it working again. And its worked ever since (5mons.)

I think it just gets out of sync.
I just don't try opening the door/doors while the locking system is functioning

[newscarver]

thats exactly the same way mine works on my 96...i got used to using the key..i am interseted in finding the solution as well

[jim56]

My '97 has the exact same problem...Someone please let me know when you figure it out....Or if i get ambitious and pull mine apart, I'll post here....

[jim56]

I went out to the car and fiddled with locking/unlocking, pulling door handle etc. I have now managed to make it not work at all.
I guess ill follow jjewd's instruction and see if I can get it working tomorrow.

[jim56]

If you look at the actuator you will see a white plastic arm that moves up and down. Down is the locked position.at the and of it is a black eliptical shaped piece the fits into the lock mechanism. the black piece has separated from the white arm , or in the case of mine, the white piece is broke. As long as the black piece remains in the holder, it will lock because it still hits and pushes it down, it wont unlock since it is separated and cant pull it up. I guess I'll just have the actuator replaced......