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Power Door Lock Problem?

1badtransam

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I’ve replaced the door lock mechanisms, actuators, and switches.

The passenger door unlocks and locks perfectly.

Driver door only locks.

The driver's door has trouble unlocking.

The door unlock/lock switch has to be pressed multiple times to open.

I’ve tested voltage, reworked the ground, and still have trouble.

Any suggestions?
 
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Knightrider189

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I’ve replaced the door lock mechanisms, actuators, and switches.

The passenger door unlocks and locks perfectly.

Driver door only locks.

The driver's door has trouble unlocking.

The door unlock/lock switch has to be pressed multiple times to open.

I’ve tested voltage, reworked the ground, and still have trouble.

Any suggestions?

Was everything replaced with new or used?


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM
 

1badtransam

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Everything was replaced with after-market.

Actuator and door lock mechanism.

However, I cleaned up the original door lock mechanism, and still, the actuator cannot push the rod up - to unlock the position.

I also tried disconnecting everything (rods to the door handle, lock cylinder, and inside door handle/lever and was still unable to push the rod up.
 

Knightrider189

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Everything was replaced with after-market.

Actuator and door lock mechanism.

However, I cleaned up the original door lock mechanism, and still, the actuator cannot push the rod up - to unlock the position.

I also tried disconnecting everything (rods to the door handle, lock cylinder, and inside door handle/lever and was still unable to push the rod up.

The actuator could be the issue, even though you replaced it with an aftermarket.


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM
 

1badtransam

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The actuator could be the issue, even though you replaced it with an aftermarket.


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM

I replaced the passenger parts at the same, and the passenger side had the same aftermarket parts; they worked better than brand-new ones.

So, I put the passenger actuator on the driver's door.

I couldn’t push up the rod on the driver's door lock mechanism.

The door lock mechanism is the only thing I can’t swap because it’s left or right-specific.

Could I have an original lock mechanism and a new aftermarket lock mechanism that doesn’t work correctly?

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
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Knightrider189

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I replaced the passenger parts at the same, and the passenger side had the same aftermarket parts; they worked better than brand-new ones.

So, I put the passenger actuator on the driver's door.

I couldn't push up the rod on the driver's door lock mechanism.

The door lock mechanism is the only thing I can't swap because it's left or right-specific.

Could I have an original lock mechanism and a new aftermarket lock mechanism that doesn't work correctly?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Could be. Have you tried lubing the lock mechanism?

Something is sticking.

Is the rod slightly bent, causing it to hang up?


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM
 
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Knightrider189

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I did grease it up pretty well and even used the passenger rod.

Doesn’t make sense.

Do you know of any stronger actuators?

No, unfortunately, I don’t.

You could test the voltage output between the two actuators.

Maybe the driver's side isn’t getting enough juice to unlock since you did swap the actuators, and it’s still doing the same thing.

I don’t have any more options to give you.

Hopefully, someone on here has had this issue and can give you an answer.


1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird, 5.7, all OEM
 
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