Driver door lock problem

[johnmc95camry]

My 95 Camry has a problem with the driver door lock. The key will activate the other 3 doors to unlock, but not the driver's door. With the door closed and locked, I am unable to access the inner door panel, which is a big problem in this repair job.

[93celicaconv]

Can't you use the manual lock on the inside to unlock the driver's door? Sounds like you can get in the car, because the other doors work properly.

[johnmc95camry]

The inside lock will not release it, nor will the key lock. The releasing mechanism must be broken. My only access is down the widow slot by prying the door panels apart.

[RichieRichJP]

Take the door handle bezel off and first check if the rods are loose.

[93celicaconv]

Another idea - the passenger door lock works, right? Lower the window on the passenger door. With a light shining down the opening at the back of the window, you will see the links for the door lock & opener. Manually lock and unlock this door with the manual lock button, and see which of the links is moving.

Then go to the drivers door, lower that window, and look down the window slot with a flashlight and identify the same link that was moving on the passenger side. Try using the manual lock button now. If that link moves, you're screwed. If it doesn't move, you're in business (meaning a link connector must have falled off and the lock link isn't being moved with the electric or manual locks). Just use a sturdy, long piece of metal, or something that might hook onto the link you need to move, and pull/push on the link in the same direction as you saw on the passenger door when you manually were unlocking it with the manual lock button. Once you get than link to move to the same position, you should have the door unlocked.

Don't try prying the door panels off - unless you are OK with it being broken. You don't need to do this though.

[Bankos66]

just to add another question to this thread. Does anybody know where I can get a few plastic brackets to keep the inside door panel hooked on since i broke the other ones?

[RichieRichJP]

Originally Posted by Bankos66

just to add another question to this thread. Does anybody know where I can get a few plastic brackets to keep the inside door panel hooked on since i broke the other ones?

Junkyard or dealership. I've tried autozone, oreilly, and advanced auto ones and none work.

[RichieRichJP]

What you need to look for is a rod that goes parellel to the lock end of the door. The rods that are attached to the door lock and INSIDE door handle have rods that extend to the OUTSIDE door handle. From there, there's a separate rod that goes from the back of the outside door handle straight down to the center area of the door where it latches closed on the B Pillar. You need to get to that rod because that will allow the lock to latch and unlatch. The problem is whether or not it's actually hooked on. Without knowing if this is the problem, well, you'll have to figure that out I've never been able to access that lock mechanism, and I've never needed to, but I'm sure (not 100%) there is a spring actuated tensioner in there too.

[johnmc95camry]

I'll give that a try. I will look for a link going down from the outsidfe door handle. Thank You

[RichieRichJP]

If you have to, just cut the interior panel to access it.
You might end up having too.
You can probably pick up this interior piece from the junkyard for $35