I've done a search on "door lock" on all forums and gone through the entire 500 results that came up and didn't find anyone w/ the same problem. So here goes:

I have a 2000 TL. The driver side front door can not be unlocked. It can not be unlocked with the key fob, with the key manually, using the handle mechanism from the inside or outside of the door. The other three doors function properly.

Everything appears to be working in that I hear all the right clicks, the lock knob goes up and down as expected, the key can be turned to both lock and unlock positions (though w/ more difficulty than usual when turning to the lock position). Execpt, the damn door will not open!

The door has not been hit or damaged in any way. I locked it normally one day and just can't unlock it anymore. It seems the door locking mechanism is "frozen" in a seized state. I live in CA and the day this happen the weather was like ~72 deg outside. So this is not a cold weather thing. Don't think anyone tempered with the lock either.

Called around and only one Acura shop said that they've seen this problem before and don't want to handle it again because the last case was a real pain and took the mechanic 6+ hours just to unlock the door!

I plan to take the car to the dealer but want to check w/ you guys to see if anyone has even heard of this problem.

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated!

 

ask a few body shops- they deal with stuck doors all the time
Probably the arm that operates everything broke its plastic clip or something like that
Not the dealer on this one, they change parts- not figure stuff out

 

The lock mechanism probably is working properly as the knob goes up and down and the key locks and unlocks it, Its more likely the latch itself or the linkage going to it from the handles has come off/broke.

 

yea u know what i got a simliar problem. My back passanger side door has to be lock/unlocked manualy. nothing i do will lock/unlock it unless i use my own fingers...Soooo i dont know buddy, but good luck! to us both

 

That sounds like a door lock actuator problem

 

"JeniferluvsAcuras", I agree with "fsttyms1". Your problem sounds like an actuator issue. And it shouldn't be too hard to fix since you're still able to open the door.

My challenge now is how the heck will I (or anyone) get the door open w/o doing significant damange to the door. Without the door opening, it's tough to remove the inside panels to get to the locking mechanism that's stuck/broken.

 

Its called a slim Jim and is used by locksmiths to get into cars
A slim metal piece is slipped in past the rubber window seal, a little fiddling and bam they catch the release or arm and the door opens

Now remove the door panel inside and fix the problem

 

You won't be able to remove the interior door panel without opening the door first.

 

The door panel will be destroyed removing it if they arent able to get it open any other way.

 

thats why I said open the door with the slim jim - THEN remove the interior panel