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Reciently after having been at work, I came out to find I couldn't unlock the driver's door. The lock will turn most of the way, but not completely. It rebounds to the locked position.
Due to a lack of time I haven't had a chance to spend a good deal of time trying to figure out what's wrong. I have tried lubricating the lock threw the kew hole, but that didn't do diddily.
Anyone got a clue what is up with it and how I am suppose to fix it, as the door is obviously closed, thusly blocking off my ablity to remove the door panel to get a look.
I realy can't afford to take it to the dealship to be fixed as they quoted a starting price of $200 possibly up to a grand (why it would cost that much beats me). Any help and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My driver side door does the same thing, and I haven't had the chance to have a look at it yet...
I don't know if your problem is the same but if you keep trying to unlock it by quickly going all the way left, then all the way right (not hard enuf to break it), it will eventually open. Mine takes 6 or 7 tries.
Lock sticking only happens on my car when the door is locked and I lift up on the handle. As long as I don't lift the handle while it's locked, it doesn't happen, it'll always work.
If you get it fixed, lemme know what you had to repair/replace...
I recently installed power actuators on the locks. During that process, I learned the door latch is under tension (pull the latch, it snaps right back) if that tnesion is increased by even a fraction the lock mechanism won't turn . I fixed mine by bending the latch rod just a bit. Side effect is, the latch is slower to snap back (not much of a down considering the latch snaps back immediately when you close the door). On the plus side, the lock operates smoother than it did the day I bought the car.
I have seen a few rio driver doors that will not unlock due to the springs that are on the latch have fatigued and need to be replaced. If you are persistant with the driver door lock, you will be able to unlock it enough to open the door to get the door panel off and at the latch. Pretty cheap repair that way or you can just replace the entire latch.
My 2001 rio does this and i have a slim jim kit to unlock it. Mine will lock anytime the last was as i shut the door not even planning to lock it. The problem is the plastic on the mechanism it loosens as you use it . It slides down looking the door and jamming the release. I use the long straight rod to push the lock down open the door. When you get the door open remove the door panel and re-tighten the plastic clips. If that does work you will need to replace the plastic parts that atre worn.
I found the easiest fix is to place a nut and bolt in the bottom of the track to prevent the clips being able to travel the full distance down. Fixed the wifes this way and have never had a problem since. Central locking works like a charm.
I have seen a few rio driver doors that will not unlock due to the springs that are on the latch have fatigued and need to be replaced. If you are persistant with the driver door lock, you will be able to unlock it enough to open the door to get the door panel off and at the latch. Pretty cheap repair that way or you can just replace the entire latch.
Good luck
Derek
That is what happened to mine, except that the little ear broke off of the spring. I couldn't find anything like it anywhere in town, so I just bent a new "ear" on the spring. It's still working six months later.
The spring in mine broke too, but, I couldn't figure out where it belonged. I ended up using a tiny bungee-cord to put the reverse-tension on the plastic piece that slides thru the track that was mentioned earlier.
I have and '04 optima and I have not been able to lock my doors for the past year and half... due to my door latch assembly ( part where the striker goes in ) missing a spacer.... tried bending the locking rod but that idea failed... so i figured with me getting ready to pay it off and going to turn around and trade it in for a truck then I need to get this fixed.... does anyone know where I can get a new door latch at... called the local junk yard and they want 30 for the part but 50 to ship it to me ( it would be coming from there other store )... they must be outta their mind on that!!!
So, anyone know of any websites I can get this part from as well as other parts for my car?
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