Just recently all of a sudden my key doesnt work like it ue to. Its only a problem with the drivers door everything else is fine. I had a new key cut and its the same thing. If i spend 30 sec or so tring to find "the sweet spot" for the keys itwill unlock and sometimes i get lucky and i get it first try.

so whats the best fix for this?
maybe I can find a cylinder with a key at the JY and just have 2 keys???

 

are the locks electric? if so there could be a short in the master switch. or the lock is just worn out. the JY is always a good option but i know i just saw new replacement locks for cheap online. its a pair w/ keys... ill look for it...
have you pulled the inner door panel off to see if anything is loose? be ready to replace a clip or two if you remove it, tough!

 

its got electirc but the prob is with the key and the door lock, the power works fine.
it acts like its the wrong key or something, so i assume theres some worn out springs in the lock cylinder...

 

is there anyway to replace the cylinder while keeping the same keys? so i wouldnt need to have 2 keys.

 

Spry some WD40 into the key hole. If that doesnt work you need lock cylinders.

 

Sounds like your lock tumblers (or nubs?) are worn out. I wonder if there's a way to combine those little nubs from another lock to make them match the arrangement you need.

But wait, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Since your driver's door is the one door that you're most likely going to use the key with then why not swap lock cylinders between driver/passenger, driver/tailgate or maybe even driver/glovebox (if that's possible)?

 

thanks for the ideas.
switching drivers side for pass sides a good idea. i dont think in 4 years i ever used my key in the pass side.

 

My '87 Pioneer had the same problem with the door lock on the driver's side.

I babied it for 4 years. Finally it got so bad that my daughter, who was using the Jeep, would leave the LR door unlocked so she could reach through to the front interior rocker lock button.

Or she would have to crawl through from the passenger side.

One time when she was home, I took the Jeep to a good locksmith.

One hour and $55 later, he had put in a brand new lock cylinder, keyed to the original key. And made a couple of spares for me.

Works like it did 24 years ago. Best $55 I ever spent.

 

It could be that the cyclinder is worn out or maybe it needs lubricating. Don't use WD40. It will gum up locks. Get some Lock Ease. It's a graphite lubricant that is designed for lock mechanisms.

 

i have the same problem... would pb blaster work?

 

Folks, all those lubricants will help only a little for a short time. I know.

They don't rebuild the lock or replace worn parts.

Just fix it.

 

I have the same here but the locks at auto zone suck none of them are the right ones the ones that are listed are different I'm either going to bring the cylinder to a locksmith or just add keyless entry to it

 

If the lock is worn out or broken, lubricating it won't fix it. If the lock is just sticky, lubrication might solve the problem.

I bought my wife a '96 Grand Cherokee that none of the locks worked on. It turns out that there was nothing wrong with the locks- the original owner only used the remote opener and never used a key. The locks were just bound up from lack of use. With some lubrication, they are as good as new.

As always, the first step to a successful repair is diagnosis. Once the problem is identified, the repair is easier. Don't be a parts changer unless there's a reason to replace parts.

 

All true, but the OP said in the first post that it was only the driver's side door lock. Which obviously gets the most use/wear. He's got a real big reason to change that part.

I'm glad the lube worked for you, but he has a different issue--that is exactly like mine was. I told him how to fix it. And no, I did not say go to Autozone as someone else did. If you darken their door, abandon all hope ye who enter there.