Power door locks

I can't unlock my drivers side door. The actuator only lifts the rod about half way up. Key will not unlock door, inside handle does not unlock it either. With the window down i was able to grab the rod with needlenose plyers but cannot lift it and farther. Has anybody had this happen and have any tricks on how to get my door open ?

My dad's crew was doing this, the linkage needed a good lube, worth a try. You'll probably need to lube it a few times and actuate the lock a bunch to work it in well.

I have sprayed some wd40 down there. Hard to see if it was hitting the linkage or not. Even took it for a drive hoping the vibration would free it up.

Wd40 will only break up any corrosion, it doesn't permanently lube it. You're going to want a graphite or lithium spray. You will also need to mechanically fully actuate the lock, vibration from driving down the road isn't enough.

The only way I've been able to fix this is to try with the inside handle until the door opens and then pull the door apart and remove the actuator. If you can't manage to open it even after messing with the interior handle for a little while you'll just have to pull the door panel from the inside with the door closed.

I've never had it bad enough that the interior handle won't open it though, I typically remove the actuator as soon as they start to seize. It's way in the bottom of the door and a royal pain to replace.

I've replaced all 4 on my quad cab, there are a few problems you can have. One is the knob that pops up in the door can get so bound up in the linkages that it's the reason the locks don't lock or unlock well. The other is the motors can be so seized up you can't force the linkages enough past the stuck point to actually open the doors. I'd think that's more likely given the issues you are having. You can try to lube things up and move them back and forth as much as you can and hope for the best.

If you end up replacing the actuators it can be "fun", I have no idea how you are to do it with the doors left unharmed. I've cut a 4x4 window in my doors above the rivet you have to drill out so I can get the cable removed easier. I don't even use the new cable correctly, I put a new "piece" in the new motor, bolt it in place cut the old one just above the motor, and then stick a few pieces of metal in with the old and new cable and put two tight hose clamps on them. It's a fiasco to try and do this right, hats off to anyone who has done it. I cannot get my arms in the holes of the doors without dropping everything 12 times and you can't see etc. I just put a little door hinge thing on the piece I cut from the door and put the cut out piece on like a doggy door on each door in case the ebay actuators ever die.

I've been spraying with with everything i can think of with no luck. Going to pull the seat out today and try to pull the door panel out as far as i can to see if i can get my hands in there. I cant remove the door panel completely because there's a screw on the top front that you can only get to with the door open.

i heard that if the door handle gets yanked so many time the metal gets bent and the inside door handle doesn't work anymore

If you put the window down the whole way you can sometimes get needle nose pliers on the rod for the button and pull up while holding unlock. Helps to pull seal/trim for window off, just don't slip and smash the window.

Update... pulled the seat out, got the door panel out and there's a small rod that attaches to the door latch mechanism when you push in on the outside door knob. It would stick down and not return. Got everything cleaned up a lubricated good and everything works great now. Hoping to find some treasure under the seat but nothing but dog hair and .23 cents lol. Thanks for all the replys

No petrifries under there? (old McDonald's French fries) lol
Glad you got it sorted. What a pita.
I'll be sure to do some lubing when I replace my speakers. Thanks.

Fluid Film in a spray can is a very impressive long-lasting lubricant. Like others said, WD40 doesn't last very long.

Brian VT said:

No petrifries under there? (old McDonald's French fries) lol
Glad you got it sorted. What a pita.
I'll be sure to do some lubing when I replace my speakers. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I think the dog got all the french fries. Should have been a bunch down there.

Greenie said:

Fluid Film in a spray can is a very impressive long-lasting lubricant. Like others said, WD40 doesn't last very long.

Click to expand...

I used what i had on hand. Silicone spray made by Blaster. If it happens again now i know what to look for. Probably able to get at it with a coat hanger

Good to hear you got her fixed.
That would suck getting in a wreck and can not get the door open.


I read some one found a 20 yr old Big Mack under the seat
and as good as the day it was made.
Mc Donald`s is not real food..........


Goat