Drivers door always locked?

MIKEAARON_1999

MEMBER
DODGE RAM

My 2004 Dodge Ram with 46000 miles just recently developed it's first problem since purchased. I have anti-theft, power door locks etc. Uppon selecting the "unlock" with the transmitter fob, the drivers door failed to unlock. Several attempts were made, the button was pushed a couple more times. This didn't change the lock out situation. All other door locks function normally. I inserted the key into the lock mechinism, and it moves freely to the "lock" position. Will not move to the "unlock" position and will not unlock the door. I climbed in over the passenger seat, and tried to pull up on the plunger on the door. It is jammed, it will not move. It is stuck in the "lock" position. I tried the switch on the drivers door both "lock" and "unlock" and it will not change the current status of "lock". However, uppon pulling up on the inside door latch to open, the door does come open and the plunger moves up a little bit allowing the door to open. I hear no sound when using the electronic devices to unlock the door so ultimately, my questions are: Could it be the electrical actuator frozen and preventing the mechanical mechinisms from moving or is the latch toast and in need of replacement? Does anyone have a part number for either of these parts, Does anyone have pictures showing the process of repair and replace? Any other "hints"? Thank you for any help in this matter. It sucks having the drivers door, the one you use the most, locked unless you are inside to open it. -Mike

5 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

Do you hear the cylinder in the door when you try to inlock it? If you do there may be and obstruction keeping it from unlocking it. First try spraying some wd 40 on the mechanism. You can spray it with the window down for better access. Try it before doing the electronical acuator. If it works, keep locking the door and unlocking it to lubricate the mechanism.

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Tuesday, March 6th, 2007 AT 2:06 PM

MIKEAARON_1999

MEMBER
3 POSTS

When using the electronic devices to attempt to unlock the door, there is no sound from that door. No clicks, buzzing, whirring, nothing. When trying to pull up on the plunger or use the key, only the sounds produced by either the key in the lock, or the gentle bump against the panel from the plunger can be heard. No other noises can be detected. Also this door, like the others functioned fine before. There were never any other problems, or indications that something was wrong. It unlocked and locked fine one day, the next day, it just would not unlock. Don't know if that helps or not. I am not familiar with the latch device so I don't know if the actuator is mechanically bonded to the latch or if it is seperate and activates the function of the latch. I have not had the door panel off to see the inside and the workings of this. Maybe that would help? I will give the wd-40 a shot first before removing anything else. Oh, local dodge dealer told me it's too complicated for the "lay" person to repair something like this and they would have to see it. I asked about the cost of this and I was told "about a couple hundred, give or take". So I doubt I will be visiting them any time soon. Thanks again for any help in this matter. -Mike

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Tuesday, March 6th, 2007 AT 2:24 PM

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

You say the plunger comes up a little when you open the door from the inside. That sound like it is hanging up somewhere. When you spray it with wd 40 keep open the door and sclosing it. Each time you close it push down on the plunger and each time when you open thwe door hit it with some mre wd 40. Don't worry if you get some on the glass, it does come off with a little cleaner.

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Tuesday, March 6th, 2007 AT 3:55 PM

MIKEAARON_1999

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Ok, all is well with the world again. I actually purchased this part, it only cost $35.85 and brought it home. Removed the door panel which is real easy. Four screws, the inside lever, and two plugs going to the power controls for windows and doors etc. Everything is included in this part, the actuator, the latch, and it is ver small compared to what I thought it would be. Three screws hold it to the door, and you have four rods connecting the mechanisms for lock, and release of door. One plug and it came out. I had the old part out and the new one in and all buttoned up working just fine in less than an hour! Upon removing the old par, I decided to disect it and see if I could make heads or tails of it. It seemed pretty straight foreward on the inside, all mechanical, the electronics were covered and enclosed preventing access to the motor. The plastic gear inside that operates the lock was jammed like it had cammed over. I unjammed it and put it back together and left it in my garage for next time. Thank you for responding so quickly. Hopefully I can assist someone in the future and the world will be a better place for a lot of people. -Mike

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+1

Thursday, March 8th, 2007 AT 7:42 AM

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

We are here to help with problems that people have. Each one of us have a diferent knowledge about diferent things and how they work. $35.85 was better than the couple of hundred the dealer said, and now you have some more knowledge on how it works.
Mike