driver side power locks don't work

[mgz72]

The driver side power locks on my 98 ford explorer are not working. The lock button on the driver side will go up when I hit the unlock switch on any door but it will not go down when I hit the lock button on any door. How can I fix this myself?

Any ideas would be appreciated! THANKS!!!!

[hogpete]

mgz 72...
I'm noticing that this problem is somewhat frequent!
I had a similar problem where i replaced the whole door lock mechanism for approximately $60 canadian. This rectified my problem. Close inspection of the older unit revealed that a small spring had broken causing the mechanisn to no longer function. Repositioning a new spring proved very difficult hence a unit replacement quickly became the repair of choice.


Great Luck...
Pete

[gdonham]

I have a 99 explorer that had the same problem. I read many posts on the internet about 98/99 door lock problems. Sometimes the door would not unlock from the outside, some times the door would not open from the inside. My would not unlock from the outside and you had to reach over from the passenger and pull the inside handle twice. I took my door panel off and looked at the lock/handle mechanism and could not figure out what was wrong. I had the recall for the seat bolt so I went to Ford and had that done and the door fixed at the same time. $160.00 was the price to replace my latch mechanism. The latch is the part that latches over the stud that sticks out form the door post. I had a body shop suggest that the problem was the solenoid that unlocks the door but that was fine. Only the latch needed to be replaced.