jcka22

Hey so I've been having this problem for awhile and couldn't find any threads related to it so I figured I'd give it a shot here.

Awhile back someone kicked my drivers side front door and made a big indention. I've since popped it most of the way out but it's still causing problems with my lock. Every time I unlock my car and go to open the door, it locks itself.

Basically, trying to open the door causes the door to lock, so EVERY time I get in my car I sit there like an idiot unlocking it three or four times before I can get in.

I tried taking the thing apart but the area where the problem seems to be is really hard to get to and I can't figure it out.

Does anyone know the best way to get to the locking mechanism where this could be caused? OR have some pictures of their door taken apart and how they did it?

Thanks

jcka22

By the way -- It's a '99 TL !

tlmane03

good luck with that not sure

3.2TLc

Hey Jcka22, welcome !
Assuming that ya know how to get inside the door's interior panel.....check where the most damage was done by the "kick". If ya look around at the door handle latch area and lock rod mechanism.....ya may find something bent or binding. Probably something simple, if all was working before the "kick".

Have someone outside work the handle and lock, while ya watch the actual mechanism's movement from inside. Could possibly be the actuator itself if it was pushed inward ? Make sure that everything works freely.

jcka22

I know this post is a bit old but I still have the car ( and the door problem). I took everything apart and there's nothing that really stands out as noticeably damaged.

I guess I should start replacing things to see what can fix it but wondering what I should start with that's either the cheapest or the most likely to help fix it?

Thanks!