Hello all! I have a door lock problem.

[obeewan36]

This is a great site. I need some help with the passenger door lock. After searching google, this looked like the right place to be. The problem I am having is with a 2001 Explorer sport, the door will lock, but it will not unlock with the key or switch. I can pull on the inside handle, and the lock knob at the same time, and it will pop open. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the stock 95-01 section. Did you check the connections on the switch panel on the driver's side door as well as the panel on the passenger's side door?

 

[eXcali]

It sounds like the lock mechanism may be siezed up. When you use the unlock switch do you hear the motor in that door activating at all?

 

[obeewan36]

yes I can hear the lock actuator, it will lock the door , but unlocking is a different story. Thanks

 

[Joey P]

May be the lock switch inside the vehicle itself malfunctioning?

 

[eXcali]

I would look at the lock mechanism it does sound like something is gummed up with it. Sometimes a little dirt/rock/etc can get into it and cause just enuff to stop it. It could also just need a good lubrication. I'd shoot a quick shot of WD40 down the lock post and see if it helps at all. Also I'd take apart the assembly and use some lithium grease to lube up the moving points.

 

[obeewan36]

I will plan on taking it apart this weekend if all goes well. Does the locking mechanism include the latch? Thanks for all the quick feedback.

 

[Oxygen]

i had the same problem, use some WD-40 in the lock mechanism area, worked great for me

 

[sjr033]

I just had the same problem over the Christmas holiday. "Key would not work. Power lock worked, but no unlock, the only way to unlock was the inside handle." I tried WD-40 to no avail. So I just replaced the door latch inside the door. No more problems. It took about 45min. There is a write-up on here on the how-to.

 

[obeewan36]

latch

Thanks for all the help. I tried the wd-40 but I think I will need to replace the latch. Is this a dealer item or can I pick it up at my local parts store?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are you looking for the door lock actuator which is an electric part? If so, then you could get one from WWW.FastPartsNetwork.Com, WWW.RockAuto.Com, WWW.DormanProducts.Com or WWW.Motormite.Com. This link has some information: https://www.dormanproducts.com/documents4rb/Door&WindowTechTip.pdf

 

[sean99]

Might be a broken spring in the latch mechanism... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165081&highlight=floppy.

 

[ranger7ltr]

Might be a broken spring in the latch mechanism... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165081&highlight=floppy.

Will this spring cause the doors to not open as well? I have a similar problem except the locks try to unlock or lock the doors but using the inside handle or the outside handle, which is loose and floppy on the drivers side and tight on the pass side.

I need to remove the door panels to get to try to open the doors and replace the latch mechanism... Because going through the rear hatch ain't fun....

I saw the above post... Is this the best way to fix this problem? I think I need to remove the seats to get the door panels off... Is that the best way to get them off after I drop the windows?

BTW this is on a 99 Explorer Sport....

 

[sean99]

The broken spring in the latch mechanism will keep the door from unlocking....Pop your panel off and hold slight upward pressure on the lock rod and see if this solves your problem...if it does, just add a spring to the lock rod. The spring only needs to be strong enough to lift the rod but not unlock the door....your loose handle is a different issue covered in the link, it does not affect the door locking and unlocking. No need to take the seats out...should take less than 15 minutes..