Can I fix my automatic door locks myself without having to go to a repair shop?
February 17th, 2009 | by door |
Dizzle asked:
I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and recently the automatic locking mechanism on one of my back doors stopped working. When I press my lock/unlock button, you can clearly hear the “clicking” noise on the inside of the door panel but the actual button does not move automatically anymore. It really didn’t bother me until the same thing happened to my front passenger door. You can hear the mechanism “click” when you try to lock and unlock but the button does not move automatically anymore. Since I hear the mechanism working on the inside of the door panel, is this a mechanical problem where something came off inside the door panel and can be reattached? Or is this an electrical problem where there’s a disconnect in the circuit? More importantly, from a monetary standpoint, is this something that I can fix at home by myself? If so, how would I go about fixing it? Thanks.
NOEL
I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and recently the automatic locking mechanism on one of my back doors stopped working. When I press my lock/unlock button, you can clearly hear the “clicking” noise on the inside of the door panel but the actual button does not move automatically anymore. It really didn’t bother me until the same thing happened to my front passenger door. You can hear the mechanism “click” when you try to lock and unlock but the button does not move automatically anymore. Since I hear the mechanism working on the inside of the door panel, is this a mechanical problem where something came off inside the door panel and can be reattached? Or is this an electrical problem where there’s a disconnect in the circuit? More importantly, from a monetary standpoint, is this something that I can fix at home by myself? If so, how would I go about fixing it? Thanks.
NOEL
6 Responses to “Can I fix my automatic door locks myself without having to go to a repair shop?”
By Heinz M on Feb 18, 2009 | Reply
You can if you are handy enough. Take the door panel off and look while you operate the switch.
By dodge man on Feb 19, 2009 | Reply
i own a shop,and you might be able to repair these your self,they do have a solenoid in them that does assist them in locking,that’s what your hearing,it is possible just the plastic clips that holds the clips on has come off,and you can put them back on again,but you,ll need a good repair manual for this one,you don’t want to get in their and find out you don’t know what to do,buy a good Haynes repair manual,it will just about guide you through this whole job,good luck i hope this help,s.
By Craig on Feb 21, 2009 | Reply
If you have the tools or know somone to help you out with that and can work in a tight area and work blindfolded then your doing great.
Otherwise you could be looking at a bottle of asprin and alot of swaring.
If you know how to take the panel off with out busting it up and then good. Something could be caught up on a rod. You might want to just save the trouble and take the Jeep Dealer.
By itrat n on Feb 23, 2009 | Reply
While u operate the lock and u hear the clicking sound it means the solinoid is working , the rod from the solonoid and the lock might have come off for this remove the door panel and refit the rod hope it works.
By Kilty on Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
It sounds like the rod linking the solenoid to the push/pull rods have come loose. You can fix this by taking off the door panel (and I’d against advise playing around with any wires.) Then push the lock button, and see what you can see. Reconnect the solenoid to the rods. ….oh, and for the love of gawd, don’t take the whole door off, you’ll never get it realigned properly.
By Schnauzerface on Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
If you can get the trim panel off without breaking it (take your time, look it over carefully, and do the back door first), you should be able to fix it.
If you can hear it working, it isn’t an electrical problem. It is either a linkage rod has come off or more likely something in the mechanism has become stuck due to a lack of lubrication.
Arm yourself with a can of wd40 to clean the gunk out, and a can of spray lithium to grease it up after it’s clean.