Door Lock Problem

December 20, 2008

Hello all. I'm a newbie here even though we've had our 1998 Rav4 Soft top for about 18 months now. Possibly goes to show how well put together these cars are - only now I feel the need to pose a question due to a problem.

The drivers door lock is refusing to unlock with the key. It just won't turn. It will lock OK from this door.

We are currently having to unlock the car via the passenger door and then walk round - not exactly a hardship but frustrating every time you forget and try to unlock the drivers door.

The central locking is working OK and we don't use any remote devices - keys only.

Is this a possibly known problem with older cars? Is it likely to be the lock barrel or the lock/latch mechanism. I'm going to try a squirt of WD40 / AC90 in the key slot to see if it free's it up. Other than that, I just don't know....

Rob

December 20, 2008

Rob

I think you'll have to whip the door panel off. Either one of the links is stuck or occasionally there is a small return spring that breaks. I have managed to shorten them in the past.

Good luck.

December 20, 2008

a good dose of wd40 type stuff will loosen up most locks. If this fails as a-m says, its a door card removal to see whats going on. I've had some grumble for the lock and light oil helps it. However, I need to remove the door card as the door handle itself has worked slightly loose

December 21, 2008

Problem sorted.

Door card removed, plastic peeled back, a damn good dose of stern looking at and loosening the door handle seemed to cure it - just don't drop bolts in the bottom of the door as they're a pain to retreive.

Everything tightened and put back together and it's all still working OK. I think Anchorman was on the right track with one of the links stuck for some reason.

Thanks for your help guys.