Locked in and out.

[ArmyRigger1112]

Hey guys I could really use your help on this. I have a door lock problem that will not allow me to get in or out of the passenger side door. the power lock switch still works and tries to unlock the door, but doesnt. Ive tried unlocking it by pulling on the inside handle which should unlock and open it but it doesnt anymore. My wife broke the handle off last week trying to open it. I pulled the door panel off today with the door closed, which was a pain in the ass. Any ideas on how I can open the door and whats causing this? Any help would be great. You guys have helped me before so thanx y'all.

 

[V8powerbaby]

have u tried lubricating the locking mechanism?

 

[dta74]

I haven't had the door panels off either of mine X's, but in general, it sounds like the inside handle and power lock mechanisms are physically detached from the lock cylinder and door latch. Either that or the lock cylinder and door latch mechanisms are both damaged.

Does the lock knob move (try to pop up) when you tried to move the handle or hit the unlock button? Can you actually hear the power lock mechanism working when you push the unlock button? Can you open the door using the outside handle? What happens when you try the key from the outside?

If you have the inner panel off, carefully peel back the plastic lining and save it for reinstallation (water barrier). Watch out for that adhesive strip around the edge of the plastic, it's nearly impossible to clean off of cloth fabric. Roll the window all the way up so you can get inside the door and see if any of the rods are detatched on either end. Try manually pulling on a few rods (in the direction of the rod's length, NOT sideways) and see if you can manually unlock or open the door.

Keep an eye open for broken plastic retaining clips or for rods that have slipped out of guides. Either one could cause the affected rod to flex sideways instead of moving in a straight line.

Of course, you have to ask what happened to cause the handle/lock to malfunction.

Anyone have a diagram for this, or care to comment/correct me here?

 

[ArmyRigger1112]

Ive tried lubeing the mechanism b4, but now im thinking the mech is damaged in some way. The knob moves up slightly when I hit the unlock, and all the way down when I hit the lock. The exterior key cylinder has never worked as I bought it used and apparently was changed prior to purchase. I was able to run my hand inside the door and feel the exterior cylinder and nothing is hooked to it, so I can eliminate that fault. Im able to pull on the rods (in the proper directions), but am still not able to open the door. And because I cant get the door open, I cant see a damn thing, or get my arm in there far enough to feel the mechanism. Im ready to give up for tonite. This is just frustrating not even being able to open the door.

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site. It might be a frozen door lock actuator too.

 

[dta74]

Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm just brainstorming here, cuz I don't have a diagram or picture to go by:

The actual lock knob that sticks up from the window sill should just be an extension rod connected directly to the lock. It obviously works both as an indicator and as a way to lock the door manually. Not sure if the lock cylinder mechanism and the door latch mechanism are separate items or if they're 1 big unit. In general terms, the only thing the lock mechanism should be doing is blocking the door latch from operating from the outside.

Can you reach in and manually move the rod that's connected to the lock knob that pops up? Theoretically, this should unlock the door. If you can confirm that the door is unlocked but still can't open via the exterior handle or by pulling on the interior handle rod, then the door latch mechanism is most likely at fault (or the lock mechanism isn't disengaging). Also, if you've pulled on the rod that normally connects the interior handle to the latch and nothing happens, that also might confirm the latch is damaged. Can you get someone to pull on the outside handle while you watch from the inside, to see what's moving (or not)?

OK, just reread your thread... if the external lock cylinder was replaced and does not appear to be connected to anything, its possible that rod could've been left connected to the lock mechanism and is now stuck/jammed in the locked position on the latch mechanism - or otherwise flopping around inside the door.

Any one else have a passenger door disassembled? What year is the X? Not sure if they changed door design with diff generations.

 

[ArmyRigger1112]

Its an 01 Sport. Im gonna try and look up some diagrams and see if they're any help. But like I said its a pain in the ass to do anything with the door closed.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section.

 

[gijoecam]

Search and you will find that there is a small spring inside the latch that has a tendency to break. That spring holds the locking bar out of the way when it actuates. Without it, that little bar in the latch assembly itself has no way to swing back out of the way. Shaking the truck from side to side or driving down a bumpy crowned road may allow the pin to drop out of the way sooner or later, but I don't know anyone that's tried it.

I managed to get lucky with mine, and after slamming it around it popped free. Replacing the latch is the only solution I know of that permanently fixes the problem.

 

[ArmyRigger1112]

Ok, Ive tried everything I can think of. You guys have been a great help and I appreciate it alot. The only thing I can think of is to cut a hole in the inner door skin to get to the mechanism, so I can even open the door. Wish me and my cut-off wheel luck.

 

[gijoecam]

Ok, Ive tried everything I can think of. You guys have been a great help and I appreciate it alot. The only thing I can think of is to cut a hole in the inner door skin to get to the mechanism, so I can even open the door. Wish me and my cut-off wheel luck.

I wouldn't go that far... If you can get the seat out, it makes it easier, but you should be able to remove the inner door panel even with the seat in place. It'll be tight, but it should come off... IIRC, remove the trim behind the pull and the screw there, remove the screws near the pull, lift up on the panel to release it from the door, then disconnect the switches, and it should come out. I wouldn't recommend cutting the panel itself as replacements aren't cheap.

 

[BrianDye]

He got the door panel off, hes talking about cutting the actual metal that hides all the mechanisms and whatnot (I think?)

 

[ArmyRigger1112]

Yeah I got the panel off with the seat in and the door closed. And yes tight is not the word. I havent cut the inner door skin(sheetmetal) yet. But really I dont think I have any other options. I've sprayed a ton of Liquid Wrench back at the door latch mech and pulled on the rods trying to get it to pop but no luck. Ill wait till 2mrw to cut it. Maybe someone has done this before, or a miracle will happen. BTW Ive been looking for a new mechanism but havent had much luck finding one. Any suggestions?

 

[Tavery1]

I had the same problem with my drivers side door, couldn't fix it myself so I took it to my grandfather to take to his mechanic who he trusts few hundred bucks later, the pulling on it ended up breaking the handle mechanism and when it broke it SHATTERED breaking a lot of other little parts in the door.