bdmaash
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- January 27, 2008
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- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '07, V8 4x4 Ltd
So I've been reading about the door latch issue a bit now.
my drivers side door fails to unlock with the RKE (remote keyless entry). The key itself has problems unlocking (like there's something jamming in there).
I had observed at one point, that pressing the door handle while unlocking helped (spring on door handle is broken), this pressing action doesn't help any more.
So I've read how bending the door handle spring and re-clipping it where it needs to be fixed the door handle problem, but the unlocking issue would only be solved with a new latch mechanism.
In Canada the latch is $83ish + taxes from Ford, unlike the $29 - $35 I've read in the US, guess the canadian dollar is worth about 40some cents US.
I took off the door panel last night to take out the latch, there was a small spring (one side broken) in the latch - accessible from the striker area, - removed that.
Unfortunately I don't have a service manual, and couldn't figure out how to remove the latch assembly. So I started to play with it.
After about 10 minutes of molesting the door lock/latch assembly I discovered that the rod that comes from the door handle to the latch assembly needs to be lifted up (which forces/keeps the handle down). After a little more verifying, it definately needs to be up and things (unlock) worked perfectly - this is what that little spring I found must do.
Went to the hardware store and bought a spring kit (101 springs for $4), bent the ends of the spring so it would catch on the end of the rod, and clipped the other end into the clip that holds the lock cylinder on the door. This keeps the rod in the up position and the door handle against the door.
The door handle spring is still broken/unclipped, but the handle behaves as is the spring is there.
The unlock function works great now with RKE and manual key operation.
the fix was time + a 4 cent spring.
Hopefully this helps others.
edit:attached is a pic now, unfortunately you will not see where the spring is clipped to the rod, but when you take your door panel off, and feel around there you will figure it out.
EDIT: door panel removal
buy a service manual and read how to do it!!! If you can't spend the $20 or whatever on e-Bay to get proper instruction on how to service the truck, you really shouldn't service it. More often than not you will break more stuff trying to fix stuff.
instruction:
1 - disconnect battery
2 - remove switch panel for controls in door and disconnect electrical connectors, probably pops out (check manual)
3 - remove door handle cup screws (shows 2 screws)
4 - remove door handle cup
5 - *for low series door trim panels - remove the screw and window regulator handle
6 - remove 2 screws from bottom of panel, remove door trim panel, if equipped disconnect the exterior mirror control switch.
the panel clips in with those push pin things, and also with integrated hooks, so it needs to be pulled out in the lower section then lifted up.
most likely you will break some pins and hooks if done improperly or with the wrong tools.
Use instructions at your own risk, buy a proper manual for complete instruction.
EDIT#2:
just wanted to reply to a post (maybe #51 or 52)
Ford is justified in charging $200+ dollars, since they don't add a spring when they fix the door latch, cost is for a new latch mechanism and for replacing it. I just discovered a very cheap fix and decided to share it.
Edit #3:
Thanks to everyone that who signed up just to say thanks , that's all I need.
Edit #4:
06/26/2012
thought I'd update this thread again (slightly different problem)
A few days in a row I've got stuck in my truck (unable to open the door from the inside)
There ise a post or two regarding the clip on the rod which is used to actuate the latch, the clip will move and not fully open the latch....
I decided to spray the latch (the area exposed which when the door closes, goes around the door pin/striker pin??) with silicone lubricant instead of taking the door apart to adjust the clip.
- it appears the mechanism was binding due to dust/grease... and not letting the latch mechanism open/close properly.
- the problem is fixed, and one of my rear doors required extra pull on the inside handle also, spraying that latch mechanism (where it clips around the pin) fixed that door also.
In the end I sprayed all 6 mechanisms (4 doors latches, and 2 latches in the tailgate)
This is most likely standard maintenance which is done at the dealer if the vehicle is taken in for routine service.
..happy lubing
Edit#5 8/23/2013
There's a post regarding actuators not working and trying to use the spring to fix it.
If you cannot hear your power door lock actuators working, this fix will not cure a non-working actuator
my drivers side door fails to unlock with the RKE (remote keyless entry). The key itself has problems unlocking (like there's something jamming in there).
I had observed at one point, that pressing the door handle while unlocking helped (spring on door handle is broken), this pressing action doesn't help any more.
So I've read how bending the door handle spring and re-clipping it where it needs to be fixed the door handle problem, but the unlocking issue would only be solved with a new latch mechanism.
In Canada the latch is $83ish + taxes from Ford, unlike the $29 - $35 I've read in the US, guess the canadian dollar is worth about 40some cents US.
I took off the door panel last night to take out the latch, there was a small spring (one side broken) in the latch - accessible from the striker area, - removed that.
Unfortunately I don't have a service manual, and couldn't figure out how to remove the latch assembly. So I started to play with it.
After about 10 minutes of molesting the door lock/latch assembly I discovered that the rod that comes from the door handle to the latch assembly needs to be lifted up (which forces/keeps the handle down). After a little more verifying, it definately needs to be up and things (unlock) worked perfectly - this is what that little spring I found must do.
Went to the hardware store and bought a spring kit (101 springs for $4), bent the ends of the spring so it would catch on the end of the rod, and clipped the other end into the clip that holds the lock cylinder on the door. This keeps the rod in the up position and the door handle against the door.
The door handle spring is still broken/unclipped, but the handle behaves as is the spring is there.
The unlock function works great now with RKE and manual key operation.
the fix was time + a 4 cent spring.
Hopefully this helps others.
edit:attached is a pic now, unfortunately you will not see where the spring is clipped to the rod, but when you take your door panel off, and feel around there you will figure it out.
EDIT: door panel removal
buy a service manual and read how to do it!!! If you can't spend the $20 or whatever on e-Bay to get proper instruction on how to service the truck, you really shouldn't service it. More often than not you will break more stuff trying to fix stuff.
instruction:
1 - disconnect battery
2 - remove switch panel for controls in door and disconnect electrical connectors, probably pops out (check manual)
3 - remove door handle cup screws (shows 2 screws)
4 - remove door handle cup
5 - *for low series door trim panels - remove the screw and window regulator handle
6 - remove 2 screws from bottom of panel, remove door trim panel, if equipped disconnect the exterior mirror control switch.
the panel clips in with those push pin things, and also with integrated hooks, so it needs to be pulled out in the lower section then lifted up.
most likely you will break some pins and hooks if done improperly or with the wrong tools.
Use instructions at your own risk, buy a proper manual for complete instruction.
EDIT#2:
just wanted to reply to a post (maybe #51 or 52)
Ford is justified in charging $200+ dollars, since they don't add a spring when they fix the door latch, cost is for a new latch mechanism and for replacing it. I just discovered a very cheap fix and decided to share it.
Edit #3:
Thanks to everyone that who signed up just to say thanks , that's all I need.
Edit #4:
06/26/2012
thought I'd update this thread again (slightly different problem)
A few days in a row I've got stuck in my truck (unable to open the door from the inside)
There ise a post or two regarding the clip on the rod which is used to actuate the latch, the clip will move and not fully open the latch....
I decided to spray the latch (the area exposed which when the door closes, goes around the door pin/striker pin??) with silicone lubricant instead of taking the door apart to adjust the clip.
- it appears the mechanism was binding due to dust/grease... and not letting the latch mechanism open/close properly.
- the problem is fixed, and one of my rear doors required extra pull on the inside handle also, spraying that latch mechanism (where it clips around the pin) fixed that door also.
In the end I sprayed all 6 mechanisms (4 doors latches, and 2 latches in the tailgate)
This is most likely standard maintenance which is done at the dealer if the vehicle is taken in for routine service.
..happy lubing
Edit#5 8/23/2013
There's a post regarding actuators not working and trying to use the spring to fix it.
If you cannot hear your power door lock actuators working, this fix will not cure a non-working actuator