Driver side door lock sticking

[TWeatherford]

my driver side door lock has started sticking. It will always lock, but I've had to go in thru the passenger side a few times. Other times it works flawlessly, or with just a little jiggling. What stinks is that when the driver side one decides it simply isn't going to lock, my car will remain unlocked. I can always get in thru the driver side lock. Any suggestions. Shoot some dry lubricant in there? I am willing to replace the tumbler at a later date, however if I have to get it cut for my key, that would be a real pain. Maybe I can switch the driver and passenger side ones? Any ideas?

[BenzDieselTuner]

have u tried using a different key? it could be that ur key has worn down a bit, and isnt pushing the locks tumblers as good as it could.....

[running-snail]

I switched handles from passenger side to drivers side. A fairly simple process as I recall. You'll have to do a search for a write-up on this site.

After doing this, I took the lock into a local locksmith who disassembled the tumbler, cleaned, lubed, reassembled for $10. He said several of the plates had dried up grease & dirt preventing their movement.

[TWeatherford]

cool, I'll try a different key now since I have one. Then maybe later I'll swap the handles, clean it up, etc.

[Biodiesel300TD]

I had a hard time locking and unlocking my 300TD when I bought it. It ended up that the tumbler had a bunch of fuzz and stuff in it. Once that was cleaned out it worked great. So you might try that. Just be carefull when taking it a part, there are lots of little parts to get mixed up or misplaced.

[VeeDubTDI]

My driver's side lock is obviously worn out compared to the passenger's side lock, and sometimes it won't give me the key back. Very frustrating. One of these days I'll swap the lock cylinders around.

[vstech]

once you have the handle in your hand, get a small punch and drive out the little pin that holds the rod in place above the tumbler. PUT THE KEY IN THE LOCK then remove the rod and cap and gently slide out the tumbler. on a large towel, spray with your favorite penetrant, and work with a brush all the gunk out. (twenty plus years of graphite and various other sprays) put your fingers top and bottom of the tumbler keys and work the door key in and out several times while spraying. you can remove the tumbler keys, but be sure you keep them organized which way they go back in. they are numbered, not in order, but the numbers relate to the notches in your key. once it is all clean, with the key all the way in, notice if any tumbler keys don't seat all the way in. pull the key back out and see if there is a lot of wear on that part of the key, if not pull out the tumbler key that didn't seat and get a replacement of the same number and put it in it's place. works great if you have a parts car to steal TK's from. once all the TK's line up with the key in, reassemble and you should have a smooth operating lock.
John

[TWeatherford]

thanks so much guys. Turns out, a different key operates it flawlessly. Man thats a nice fix. I am surprised that the key wore out before the plastic head fell off.