D/S door lock problems

[eloquentlight]

Hi,

I'm having some ridiculously minor but highly annyoing trouble with my 1994 FZJ80. All of the doors inlock as they should, except for the driver's door (front door on driver's side.) It simply stopped working last night.

Trying to unlock it with the powe locks moves the lock button maybe 1/8th of an inch, but does not disengage the door lock. Moving the lock button manually provides the same results. I'd take the door panel off, except the door is locked, so I can't open the door to take the panel off! You guys have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jason

 

[TX_TLC]

So it is jammed? You cannot manually move it? Wiggle it or anything?

I know there are some old threads about the mech. getting dirty and just not moving fully to unlock. If you get to that stage the good news is the switch and mech. is all able to be cleaned and I as I remember people have gotten some great results.

I think my rear ds is doing this now. I have to hit the unlock button twice to get it unlock.

Guess you will have to roll the window down and "Dukes of Hazzard" it. I thought I saw you hanging out your window for some reason!

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Dont know where you are located, but it could be as simple as the lock being frozen. Have you had some freeze, thaw situtions with your weather in the past few days? Taken it to the car wash? I know, sounds simple ..... but sometimes these things are.

 

[TX_TLC]

He's here in West Texas....it hasn't frozen...cool and rainy but not frozen.

 

[eloquentlight]

David's right. It hasn't frozen here. I think that the actual latching mechanism is broken, because the handle sticks out about a half inch since it stopped working. And this sucks because my door is shut, so I can't get the door panel off.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Wow, what a pain. I take it using the key on the outside isn't working either. One option would be to remove the driver's seat, which is actually fairly easy with 4 bolts as I recall when I took mine out. Then use either a bent flat blade screwdriver or similar to pop the lower door trim snaps, and then work your way up. The last one by the dash will be tough, and you might break a few due to the angle and having to flex the interior panel at the edges, but these can be replaced. Of course, the interior panel screws in the door handle pocket, armrest and grip need to be removed to pull the panel.

Doesn't sound like fun, but report back what you find in there. My driver's door lock only moves halfway or not at all towards the locked position with the lock button. I've cleaned the lock switch, greased the actuator rod and looked it over but find nothing wrong.

DougM