Door locking/unlocking problems

BlownStangGT

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Jan 22, 2002

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Lancaster, PA

Dec 20, 2005

#1

• Dec 20, 2005

• #1

Yes I did a search and did not find enough help...anywhere here we go...

My problem: Driver side door will not open from the outside...will open from the inside

Back story: Door lock auctuator stopped working on me a while ago,4 months, and just like 2 months ago it worked agian

When I try to unlock the door from the outside with the key, it is very very hard to turn. I dont unlock it because it feels like its either going to snap the key in the lock or break something else.

I took a look at it today and the rod seems fine, and the door handle seems fine...it seems like something down in the mechanism on the side of the door and in the auctuator area is not working...

My dad was messing with it a little last night and said the auctuator wasnt working but it worked fine for me just 5 min ago

 

DMAN302

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Nov 8, 2003

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windsor, Canada

Dec 20, 2005

#2

• Dec 20, 2005

• #2

Sounds like the actuator has seized up...options are remove it and go manual lock, or replace the actuator. 50resto sells the factory style and are quite easy to install, I went with a far more ecomonical style actuator and with some very simple mods had power locks up and running for 7 bucks and less than an hour put in.

 

BlownStangGT

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Dec 20, 2005

#3

• Dec 20, 2005

• #3

So the acuator will not allow the car to be opened from the outside?

 

HISSIN50

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Dec 20, 2005

#4

• Dec 20, 2005

• #4

Yep, a frozen actuator can cause the linkage to bind, which means the key wants to snap in half before it turns. That is why some guys choose to remove the actuator so they can use the key without brute force.

I have also done the Jrichker retrofit and it works like a charm. I spent under 4 bucks on the actuator (I was placing an order already so no shipping, per se) and I needed a bag of lock nuts that cost 99 cents. I substituted items I had on hand in lieu of some of the things JR chose to use (his outstanding design will long outlast the car).

Good luck.

 

rd

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Jan 12, 2000

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Ocean Springs MS

Dec 20, 2005

#5

• Dec 20, 2005

• #5

My 89 just did this, and it was the manual lock rod getting caught under the door panel. The panel was up, and the top of the lock rod went under it. Even the key would not push it up. I put a country boy extension on it so it won't go under the panel.

I still have a problem with the power locks only locking, but not unlocking. An over the holidays project I guess.

 

BlownStangGT

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Dec 21, 2005

#6

• Dec 21, 2005

• #6

So....if I unplug the acuator my outside door handle should then work your saying?

 

jrichker

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Dec 21, 2005

#7

• Dec 21, 2005

• #7

BlownStangGT said:

So....if I unplug the acuator my outside door handle should then work your saying?

Click to expand...

Unplugging the electrical connector on a frozen actuator won't free up the door handle. You must remove the actuator linkage from the lock mechanism.

Follow this link to fix your door lock actuator problems http://jrichker.stangnet.com/Mustang_tech/door_actuator_fix/1_of_8_door_actuator.htm

Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?

A new actuator for less than $4. Fix one side for $17, do both sides for only $23. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.

 

04sleeper

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Jun 22, 2002

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Dallas, TX

Dec 21, 2005

#8

• Dec 21, 2005

• #8

I have the replacement actuators before like jrichker and HISSIN50 mentioned and they work great.

 

BlownStangGT

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Jan 5, 2006

#9

• Jan 5, 2006

• #9

gonna send this to the top agian....heres all the info... if i lock the driverside door with the button and try to open the cdar with the inside handle, it will not open....and neither will the outside...now if the door is unlocked and I play with the outside handle like: try to open and it doenst, so i lock it and unlock it agian, and then it might open, and repeat the process, it will do this over and over, sometimes it will open and most of the time it wont...i can not unlock the outside of the car with the key....so is it 100% sure the acuator? I dont think it is, but then agian i dont know much about them

 

04sleeper

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Dallas, TX

Jan 5, 2006

#10

• Jan 5, 2006

• #10

If it is really hard to turn the key then I would say it was the actuator sticking.

If you can lift the handle really quick and it opens then the rod thats hooked to the door handle could be flexing. You can put a zip tie on it towards the center of the bar to hold it to the inner door skin and it will help it from flexing away from the door.

I have done this before and it seems to work fine.

 

HISSIN50

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Jan 5, 2006

#11

• Jan 5, 2006

• #11

I am with Kevin. I have slightly straightened or bent the linkage to make things work smoother on many cars.

I would remove the inner door skin and watch the linkage move as you life the handle, etc.

Good luck.