Door lock 'dropping'

[86aggie]

The rear driver side door lock had been staying down when I would use the door lock switch, and I would have to reach in and pull it up. Yesterday, I went in and put grease on all the metal pivot/moving pieces around the handle, the latch and just below the 'plunger'. That made it move up and down with no issue. However, it's not moving up as far as it needs to, to release the lock tab at the latch. I still have to reach in and pull it up, about 1/4", to open the door. If I close the door with a little force, it drops that 1/4" again, and is locked. I looked at all the plastic bushings, to see if one had failed, but all the connections I could see had them as needed.

Is it the actuator that holds up the plunger, thru the connecting rod, or is there somewhere else I should be looking?

 

[Lead Head]

If you manually pull the lock tab up, and then it drops back down when you close to the door, it sounds like something on the latch has broken. I believe there's a little spring that's supposed to cam-over and keep the lock tab in one position or the other. Perhaps it broke.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

You're going to need to pull the door card and preferably remove the lock mechanism from the door to get a look. There are many linkages working together. Pictures would help if you want others to diagnose.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

You're going to need to pull the door card and preferably remove the lock mechanism from the door to get a look. There are many linkages working together. Pictures would help if you want others to diagnose.