More driver's door problems.

[bobwhite]

Problem #1

Starting last month, the driver's side power door lock button will not unlock or lock either door. The button on the passenger's side, unlocks or locks both doors. The manual lever works properly. Do these buttons normally fail or could it be a brokem wire?

Problem #2

Yesterday, my wife got in the car, shut the door (She thought) and drove out of a parking lot and turned right. The driver's door flew open, startling her. She couldn't get the door to remain closed. She finally used the seat belt to hold it closed until she got home. The door lock fork bolt was in the closed position, it should have been open so it could engage the striker bolt. I was able to get it to the open position using a screwdiver. After repeated openings and closings, I couldn't get the problem to reoccur. Was this a fluke happening, or is something getting worn, causing it to remain a random happening? If the traffic had been heavy, the door could have hit another car, or the distraction could cause a accident. So I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. I don't know if the door ajar light was on. Any ideas?

[Vincent Vega]

My son drives a 1988 Ninety Eight. He was having a problem with the door not unlocking when he used the key. The key would turn and the door would appear unlocked, yet it was still locked. It turned out to be the rod that went from the handle to the lock mech was not releasing due to crud, rust and age. I had to remove it and clean it all up. Once freed up it works fine. It is a pain to get in there and move things to check if it is binding. Good luck.

[Michael_V]

Your first problem sounds like the two wires connecting the switch from behind are not clipped securely in place. Try removing the black door handle retainer secured by one screw. Once removed you can feel behind the switch to see if the two wires are clipped securely. As for your second problem it just sounds like a fluke. This happened to me once, and hasn't been an issue since.

[cal55]

It sounds like it's the door lock actuator. I have the same problem with my passenger door and I took the door panel off and the actuator wasn't moving and both wires did have power when using the door lock switch using a test light. I ordered one online for about $30, but haven't received it yet.

Joe

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap ebay one. They don't have enough power to move the lock up/down nor "stroke"

[bobwhite]

I think the actuator is OK because the switch on the passenger's side, locks and unlocks the driver side door.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

My bad. Interesting. Sorry I can't be of much more help

[Howard]

I would say the problem is with the wiring and/or the switch on the drivers side, since the door locks work fine with the passenger switch. As to the switch failing, we have to remember our cars are getting older. The newest ones are now 15 years old, things to break or work loose. I don't recall this being an item that fails on a regular basis, but being mechancal, it sure can break. On the other door issue, I've been a member here for sometime, and I don't think I've ever heard of that before. I've been around cars all of my life, and I must say, at least on a car later than a 1950's, I've not seen that. I would make sure that everything was properly lubed in the latch assemebly.

[bobwhite]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Thanks Michael_V,</span>

The locking switch is held against bracket by two plastic ears. One of the ears had come off the tab on the switch. Just pressing on the switch from behind snapped the ear in place. It now works just like it's supposed to. I hope the latch problem is just a fluke like yours was.