Q: Door will not unlock

asked by on February 04, 2016

My driver's door was working normally until it was shut hard. After locking it with the remote, it stays locked. I can also hear the door actuator buzzing differently than the other doors. Also, the rocker switch located by the window switch panel moves in and out with the remote, just like the other three doors do.

Door does not lock or open Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi. If the door stopped working after it was shut hard, then the door lock actuator rod may have come off of the actuator or the actuator failed. It can also be due to the main switch assembly failing. Both of these are common on this vehicle. A mechanic would start by removing the door panel and checking the connections at the actuator to see if they are fine. If they are, then they would use a voltage meter to diagnose the circuit. This would probably lead to the switch being bad. I would have your door lock inspected by a trained mechanic to make sure you get this issue resolved.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you check the clutch fluid on?
Like your brakes, your clutch is hydraulic. It needs fluid pressure in order to operate correctly. If the level drops too low, the clutch won’t work correctly and you’ll hear grinding when you attempt to change gears. Here’s what you...
Oil leaking from my car.
I would suggest you get some help from a mechanic to inspect your motor oil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-level-is-low-inspection).
Gearshift sticking
Cables are covered by a hard plastic sleeve. The cable is actually exposed only at the ends. the largest portion of exposed cable is at the shifter. This means it is susceptible to debris that falls through the console. Things...
Car overheating and leaking oil
Hello, the first thing to do is check the oil level and get that correct and then diagnose the overheating concern. It will probably need to be jump started to get it going. The cause of the overheating must be...
Car coolant leak
The main cause of coolant leaking from this vehicle is a crack in the radiator. If the coolant is leaking from the front of the motor, then this may be a leak in your water pump. I would suggest having...
Alarm goes off when inserting key into ignition
Hello. Even though the battery has been tested, there still may be a problem with the battery or alternator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/alternator-or-car-battery-how-to-tell-which-part-is-the-problem) not charging properly if the car needs to be jump started. The factory alarm is very hard to disable and...
Transmission pops into neutral
Hey there. You may have a bad shifter cable (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/shift-selector-cable-replacement) end at the transmission control lever. Look at the shift linkage arm and inspect the shift cable end to see if bushing is worn out. Also check the other end...
My truck turns over but will not start - 1989 Toyota Pickup
I would recommend starting by checking to see if the fuel is reaching the spark plugs. Try pulling one of the plugs out after cranking it over to see if the plug is wet with fuel. If they are not,...
thermostat replacement 1999 isuzu rodeo 3.2 V6 seems to look different than shown in my Haynes manual. Does the intake manifold ne
The manifold has to be removed to replace the thermostat. Rubber hoses that are only replaceable with the manifold out of the way should all be replaced during a repair like this and you should consider sending the fuel injectors...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Occasional Drivers
Not Not everyone relies on their car on a daily basis. Maybe you aren’t the type that deals with a daily commute, and running from here to there constantly. If that’s the case, you may be looking for a car...
How to Connect a Remote Starter
Have Have you ever gone out to your car on a cold winter morning and wished that the windows were already defrosted? With a remote starter kit (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/5-essential-things-to-know-about-remote-starters), you can start the engine from inside your house while you are...
How to Replace a Door Striker Plate
A door strike plate is a metal hook or bolt that keeps the door tightly shut. Once it's damaged or worn, the plate can jam or not hold as well.