How to Repair a Car Door Lock
by Steven White
Everything mechanical on a car eventually breaks, and this includes the locks. While you could take your car into the shop and pay to have the lock replaced, this is one repair that you can do yourself. This DIY job should not take more than a few hours, and the effort is well worth the time and money saved.
Step 1
Put on your gloves and pop off the plastic access panel covers with your hands. Remove any screw hole covers as well.
Step 2
Insert the panel removal tool underneath the switch control panel. This is the panel that covers the area surrounding the lock and window controls. Gently pry the panel loose and remove it.
Step 3
Pull out the electrical connector from the panel. The connector is a small rectangular box with wires going into it.
Step 4
Remove all the door's connecting screws with a socket wrench. Put the screws in a safe area to avoid losing them.
Step 5
Pull off the door covering.
Step 6
Pull away the plastic sheet that covers the car door's inner pieces carefully to avoid damaging it.
Step 7
Reach into the hole located to the left of the door latch. Disconnect the three door lock rods. The first rod will be up above the door latch. You'll be able to see this one through a small circular hole. The second rod will be hidden under the door's panel up and to the left of the hole. The final rod is immediately to the left of the door latch.
Step 8
Remove the old door latch assembly by unscrewing the three screws holding it in place with a socket wrench.
Step 9
Insert the new assembly and connect the new rods.
Step 10
Reassemble the door and pop the panels back into position.
Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Panel removal tool
- Socket wrench
Writer Bio
Steven White is a privately contracted software engineer and efficiency analyst. He has more than five years of experience providing technical support for AT&T broadband customers. Along with his technology background, White enjoys carpentry and plumbing.
