Driver's Side Door Won't Unlock (Intermittent)

[duke16]

On occasion, my driver's side door will not unlock. What appears to be happening is the same thing that would happen if you tried to unlock the door while pulling the handle out. The knob "tries" to go up, but fails. I can open the door fine from inside. The door handle is also loose. When I pulled away the door panel I noticed this piece had broken.

Is it possible to just replace this wire thing, without having to replace the whole door latch?

Thanks.

 

[cloaked_chaos]

It looks like a meathook. lol

 

[duke16]

Sorry, he's an image for perspective.

 

[BrandonKoca]

I've have this same problem with mine. I took off the panel to look at what was wrong, but unfortunately couldn't find where the problem was starting.

 

[pjr]

My 97 rear doors do the same thing. Tried to just put on new spring but could not get to stay. Replaced door latch. All fixed. pjr

 

[duke16]

My 97 rear doors do the same thing. Tried to just put on new spring but could not get to stay. Replaced door latch. All fixed. pjr

Is that part of what is in my picture? The spring. Or is it something else that broke on mine?

 

[05dink05]

I have the same problem with my drivers side door, I hit the unlock button on my keychain remote but the door wont unlock. The funny thing is, if I press in on the outside door handle while hitting the unlock button on the keychain then it will open. I have no idea what this means but thought I would share it.

 

[budwich]

the "fish hook" is part of a spring. If you do a search you will find lots of posts on the door lock springs that get "sprung". Most people just bend a part of the remaining spring and seem to solve their problem.

 

[slpdave]

If you can't find the spring like happened to me, there is an alternate location you can put a weak spring on to fix the latch issue. This thread may help.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1627200#post1627200

David