dbmata

My door locks are somewhat vexing me at the moment, and I've been looking through here for ideas on what could be wrong, but I'm coming up goose eggs.

Basically, what's happening is that my left rear door lock won't unlock or lock when the switch is pressed. (Come to think of it, I've only checked from the Driver's door.) What happens is that the switch moves, but it doesn't move enough to lock or unlock. To lock the door manually, you have to push the lock/unlock rocker a bit deeper than the rest of the doors, it's tough to move as well.

I have the factory service manual, but it doesn't show the removal of the switch very well, and it doesn't give anything much past removal and replacement info. Other than R&R, can this be repaired? Could this be a lack of power getting to the door switch? Or could it be time for taking it apart and cleaning it?

Any suggestions would help. One idea I had was buying a new switch (I'm going to replace all window/lock switches), and doing some research to see if there was a way to prevent any loss of voltage between the driver's door switch and the rest of the set.

What should I look into?

Mr2Jeep

I just got my 96 and my L/R door lock does the same thing. I'm not too concerned with it. I just hold pressure the unlock button on the driver's door and reach back there and give the rear lock button some slight unlock pressure. I can live with that it’s no big deal. I just don’t feel like taking it apart and possibly creating more problems with it.

kamokid

once you take it apart, its not hard to put back.. it just needs a little lube!! lube it up, and make sure when you do you have the window up!!

finneys98xj

the linkage that runs from the lock to latch could be loose or worn which can cause it not to lock.

lifted93xj

Its a jeep thing. Mine does it, urs does it and like 30 other people i know theres do it to.

littleblueman

The same here. RR door lock. I just havent popped off the panel and lubed it up. Ill be using Lubriplate or some other lithium grease on it this time instead of wd40. Oil works good, but doesnt last. It is agravating mostly because my 8 yr old doesnt quite have the finger strength yet to push it open. Gotta add that to my ever growing list......

dbmata

Well, the windows aren't working, so they're up... but just for S&G, why does it matter?


It's looking like R&R is going to be the quickest choice. I know, I know, all jeeps do it, I just want my jeep to not do it.

dbmata

any suggestions to good inexpensive sources of new parts?

I found one place: moparpartsamerica.com that has good numbers, but they don't get back to calls or emails it seems.

dbmata

I did a little tinkering today, and found that the lock is not being moved by the switch at all.

I've read that there is a 2V drop at each switch... would there be anything I can add to the wiring to restore the lost volts? Would it be something that would even matter?

mike37

I had this problem
and it is old oil on the locks the colder it is the worse it get

the problem is not at the **** part
it is at the latch
you need to remove the door panel that involves removing the door handle and switch Bessel
and then I used some break cleaner and sprayed the lock mechanism
that got the old gunky grease and oil off then hit it with a little WD40

Mr2Jeep

Good call, that sounds about right. The mechanism is a little gummed up and the colder weather makes it worse. I think I’ll just wait till we get warmer weather and see if it improves. If not it’s a good summer day project.

Rob92XJ

Or your locks are like mine and just worn out the brushes in the motors do wear out, I only have one that works right now and it is my tailgate. Have to push the lock/unlock button about 10 times to unlock the passenger front door, the others will open during that time but the drivers door will not lock at all.

dotcom

i had the same problem all the way around, pulled out the little rubber plugs that are in the door jam and shot 1/4 can of wd40 in the door. all works now perfectly give it a try before you pull the door apart.

dbmata

Does anyone have any suggestions of places to check online for good parts prices?

Windowlicker

db, both of my passenger side doors (left side here in the UK) suddenly developed exactly the symptoms you describe in our unusually cold weather, i.e. you could hear the solenoids working, but the rocker switches only go half way unlocked.

Looking for some tips, I stumbled on this forum (and joined up!). So I thought I should report that I pulled the door panels off today and squirted anything that moved with some spray on grease. Job done - only took half an hour to do both mechanisms, and they work great now.

Hope your solution is as cheap!

Oh, I found this workshop manual chapter, which has test procedures, and a handy diagram of the door panel screws, not that they're difficult to find:

http://www.thailandoffroad.com/jeep/...000/exj_8p.pdf