Bad Door Lock Or Cheap Door Lock Actuator?

larrym1961

5 Year Member

Dec 18, 2010

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Idaho Falls Id

Jun 22, 2014

#1

• Jun 22, 2014

• #1

For the longest time I have not been able to unlock my drivers side door with the key, very difficult to turn the lock.
I replaced the door lock actuator with a new one from LMRS several years ago. The door still locks and unlocks fine with the power locks. The passenger side door still unlocks great with key and still has the original Ford actuator in that door.

Would my trouble be with a bad door lock cylinder or a cheapo door lock actuator?

 

aar0s

Founding Member

Dec 20, 1998

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Jun 22, 2014

#2

• Jun 22, 2014

• #2

Have you tried using a graphite based lube on the lock cylinder? Id do that before pulling the door apart again.

 

larrym1961

5 Year Member

Dec 18, 2010

570

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Idaho Falls Id

Jun 22, 2014

#3

• Jun 22, 2014

• #3

I have used graphite for locks it does not work.

 

jrichker

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Dublin GA

Jun 22, 2014

#4

• Jun 22, 2014

• #4

Alternate reality: WD40 = Penicillin for cars...

Stick the red soda straw that comes with WD40 in the keyhole and blast away with the WD40...

 

Reactions: larrym1961

aar0s

Founding Member

Dec 20, 1998

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Jun 22, 2014

#5

• Jun 22, 2014

• #5

I was thinking the stuff we use at work is graphite based, its not, my bad. Get your hands on a can of http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5JFKKE/?tag=stangnet-20 and spray it in all your locks while your at it.

 

larrym1961

5 Year Member

Dec 18, 2010

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Idaho Falls Id

Jun 23, 2014

#6

• Jun 23, 2014

• #6

I will give the Houdini a shot and see how that works. Lock-Ease has not done the trick, and Joe I have shot WD40 in there at one time too.

If the Houdini stuff does not seem to help then new lock cylinders it is as I plan on taking the door panels off in the future as part of my interior restoration project.

 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

10 Year Member

Sep 1, 2010

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Kearney, NE

Jun 23, 2014

#7

• Jun 23, 2014

• #7

If it works with the power button, I doubt it is the solenoid. If the door only unlocks with the pull knob, then it could be the solenoid if it is jammed. When I had a bad solenoid, it was not the only problem or even the cause. The key could not turn, the actuator did not work (it eventually pulled itself out of the bracket and broke in the process) but the pull knob worked. I used WD40 to loosen up the white grease they had sprayed over everything and had stuck up the whole mechanism and latch.

 

larrym1961

5 Year Member

Dec 18, 2010

570

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Idaho Falls Id

Jun 23, 2014

#8

• Jun 23, 2014

• #8

The door locks and unlocks great with the power door locks. The problem is it won't unlock or lock from the outdoor with a key.

 

Spaz

Member

Jan 5, 2013

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Pennsylvania

Jun 24, 2014

#9

• Jun 24, 2014

• #9

It only takes 5 minutes (if that) to take off a door panel. 2 bolts and 2 screws for the armrest, 2 screws for the switchblock, 1 screw for the speaker grill, 1 screw for the inner handle bezel, 1 screw up near the side-view mirror. You don't really have to wait for a whole interior resto to check out what's going on inside your doors. If the lock works fine with the power button than the actuator isn't the problem. It is a stuck key cylinder. Looking inside there will give you a good idea of how the lock mechanism works and will allow you to lube anything that is stuck.

 

larrym1961

5 Year Member

Dec 18, 2010

570

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Idaho Falls Id

Jun 24, 2014

#10

• Jun 24, 2014

• #10

I can take those door panels off in my sleep, done it about a dozen times replacing door lock actuators. power window motor and new lower door panel carpet. ect. So taking it off again is no problem

 

larrym1961

5 Year Member

Dec 18, 2010

570

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Idaho Falls Id

Jun 28, 2014

#11

• Jun 28, 2014

• #11

The lock Houdini did not work but the new lock I installed works like a charm. Even with the old lock out of the car still it still would not turn. I guess after 25+ years of use must have just wore out. Problem solved.