Passenger door won`t always lock or unlock

[JJC]

I have a 98 explorer, and the passenger side door won`t always lock or unlock. It will always unlock when I open it from the inside. But neither the key, door button, or key fab will lock or unlock every time. I replaced the lock actuator thinking that was the problem, but it`s still happening. I noticed that the rod for the actuator goes "through" the door latch. The actuator is pushing the but door latch doesn`t seem to be giving as much as it should be. So I`m thinking that`s the problem, but I wanted to confer with others before I threw another part at it. On a side note the door handle for it is floppy but opens the door when it`s unlocked.

Update: It`s definitely the door latch; the mechanism is worn out.

 

[donalds]

This may help

door latch problem solved - temporarily maybe??

 

[JJC]

I replaced the door latch and that fixed it.