Driver's door won't unlock - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Benchmark · 11-26-2009, 08:48 AM

Was shopping last night and after coming out to my car from target the driver's door refused to unlock. I was out of town so I went to walmart(was nearly eleven and the only thing open) and bought a can of liquid wrench. I sprayed half of the can in the door lock at my hotel and it didnt help at all. On the way home this morning I messed with it and it unlocked from the inside. I figured hey the liquid wrench finally worked and locked it again and unlocked it once more to see if it worked. I figured it was working ok so I locked once more and kept driving home. I get home and it won't unlock again. ****. I just sprayed some teflon in it and it seems to make it move a little smoother but its still not unlocking.

Anyways, I'm wondering how I can get to this thing with the door closed and locked. I don't think there is anyway to get the door panel off to get at it.

Bitter · 11-26-2009, 09:52 AM

power locks i assume?

Benchmark · 11-26-2009, 10:32 AM

No, they are manual.

Bitter · 11-26-2009, 10:43 AM

strange. once you get it open don't lock it. it could that the door latch itself is gone bad, its kinda common on ford explorers.

Benchmark · 11-27-2009, 01:03 PM

So I have the door panel off but I'm not sure what is wrong. When I push the pin up and down it doesnt seem like it has a full range of motion. I can't really tell what its hanging on though.

Bitter · 11-27-2009, 01:19 PM

use a screwdriver in place of the door striker and see whats not working.

speedy25 · 11-30-2009, 02:43 PM

Your best bet is to remove the latch and work on it on a bench. Its much easier to find all the rusty spots that may be keeping things from moving as they should. You can also grease/lube it up much better than while its still in the door.

For some reason ONLY Japanese cars seem to have a problem with water getting into locks and latches. Most cars I have had need a little warming in cold weather to free up latch mechanisms that got iced up. Your attention to lubrication now will keep that problem out of your car this winter.

-SP

hungt1999 · 11-30-2009, 02:50 PM

Yes, our Corolla locks tend to get water infiltration

I got so screwed one time when it rained during the day and the temperature drastically drop below freezing point. Both the passenger and the driver's lock were frozen. I could not open the doors.

I ended up walking to a nearby store to buy a spray can of lock de-icer

the next day, I took the door pannels apart and grease the locking mechanism

it has been good for years now.

1jzdreamer · 11-30-2009, 04:53 PM

How worn is your key? Sometimes a worn key can lead to the lock not wanting to go periodically. If you have a key you don't usually use, try the lock with that key before pulling the lock out to inspect/clean it on the bench.

NTL88 · 11-30-2009, 06:02 PM

I've had this problem. Was it cold that night? If so, try replacing the latch grease with one that has a lower freezing point. Worked for my '97. Manual locks as well.
Or do what I heard my ex-co-worker does: bring a battery-powered hair dryer.

Benchmark · 12-01-2009, 08:35 AM

Does anyone have any experience removing the latch from the door? Ive taken the screws out but disconnecting the handle connections looks nearly impossible in that tight space. Maybe someone knows of a write up somewhere with pictures.

I might just take it to a body shop. I usually do my own work but I'm not sure I feel like fighting with this thing.

gold94corolla · 12-10-2009, 05:12 PM

You need a new key. I have had to replace mine a couple of times, and every new key works great