Door Lock Not Working

[cesare]

The passenger side door lock will open from the inside with the driver side switch but will not lock or open automatically when I use the key to lock or unlock the car. Does anyone know what the problem could be? Thanks.

[ctaylor738]

I can't explain why it will open with the inside driver door lock.

But I would suspect either the vacuum element in the passenger door or the three-way valve in the driver's door. Also, there is a rod that runs from the lock mechanism to the valve that may not be connected. You need to take the door panel off to investigate.

[Paoli380]

Mine does the exact same thing. Often the pass door will actually lock on its own, and it sporadically locks when I lock the driver's door. Will be interested in seeing what causes it.

[ScottinSoCal]

Originally Posted by Paoli380

Mine does the exact same thing. Often the pass door will actually lock on its own, and it sporadically locks when I lock the driver's door. Will be interested in seeing what causes it.

The vacuum master valve in the driver side door has an adjustment range. It sounds like yours is badly set. To adjust it just takes a phillips screwdriver (after you've removed the inside door panel). The manual has the adjustment for each type.

And, if you're going that far, it wouldn't be a horrible idea to just replace it. The o-rings inside of it start to leak slowly and that makes your central locking stop working. Before I replaced mine, my central locks stopped working after a couple of hours. Once I'd replaced and adjusted it, my central locks now work for over a week after I've parked it. The part only costs about $25, IIRC.