Door lock problems/fix

[ncyrider]

My 2001 with power locks has 2 minor problems I want to know how to fix:
- To lock/unlock all 4 doors (with the key remote or the button on the door interior panel), I have to press the button 4-5 times in a row. The rear doors will not lock/unlock just by pressing the button once or twice. Sometimes I even find that one of the rear doors is still unlocked after continuously hitting the lock button.

- The front passenger door will only unlock by opening the door from inside or with the key from the outside. This started after I put new speakers in and left that door's interior panel somewhat loose/misaligned for a couple weeks, only held in by the panel's plastic pins. I left the 4 black screws out because I was still doing wiring I didn't have time to finish at the time. Because the hole where the plastic lock pin goes through the panel was not "centered" for the lock to move up and down freely, it messed it up a little, and now I can only unlock that door manually (not with the power lock). The outside door handle also has more resistance when opening that door.

I plan on getting an aftermarket Viper alarm system installed soon, and putting some Dynamat on the doors for another audio upgrade at the same time. While I have the door panels off when I do these mods, I want to see if I can fix the lock problems too. I haven't talked to a shop about it yet, but I would like to get an idea of what needs to be done to fix all the locks, if they can be fixed.

 

[Kjhadfield]

Could it be 2 separate problems. The wires in the drivers door jam (rubber boot) for the problem with all the doors locking and the plastoc clip you say wasn't centered? Is that the yellow clip that goes on the rod your talking about. If so I found out mines was best positioned not centered but in the direction that would cause most push/pull. I can't remember if it was up or down. if it's not, picture explain a 1000 words.

 

[ncyrider]

Thats the part I was talking about...the pin going thru the door panel. It seems like it caused the problem with that one door not unlocking.

 

[swshawaii]

The chrome knob stem looks oversized and could cause binding, Ford's actuators are not very strong to begin with. Door panel alignment is critical for the knob stems to move freely. You may try removing the knob and cycling the locks to see if it helps,
just be careful of the threads catching. BTW, the Dorman 75409 replacements are the wrong thread. Ford #D9ZZ-6621850-B

Also, make sure all the door latches are moving freely. Flush them out with light penetrant followed by white lithium spray grease.

 

[ncyrider]

That picture is not of my truck, its just one from google to show what part I was talking about. My truck has the stock pieces/locks. Ill try removing the parts and inspecting/cleaning them. thanks

 

[01STrunner]

I'm still fighting this issue with my driver door of the door not unlocking. I have found that adding penetrant (I use PB blaster) to all of the moving parts really does help the system out. Once you spray the parts, lock and unlock the doors a bunch of times making sure that the lock stems are unobstructed in there movement and don't catch on the door. Without the plastic panel they aren't held straight and will catch on the metal.