1st generation Tacoma door will not unlock- *SOLVED*

Picked up the part Thursday at work, and box of the little 'push clips' for the door panel.....
Replacement work to commence (hopefully) this weekend....will be somewhat slow, however, as I'm still recovering from some back surgery, so I'll be working off the little roller stool.

glenn

 

Done deal==2-1/2 hours under my carport on a warm Saturday afternoon. Sitting on my little roller-stool made it a lot easier on my back (recent surgery)....tagged the wires and connections, and went to town. hardest part was getting the very top most plastic retainer clip off the linkage--I didn't have a replacement for that one.........Pulled the outside door handle and lock cylinder, turn it over and the linkage popped loose.. Before doing anything to the outer door surface--I put a heavy layer of duck- tape all around the handle to avoid scratches--worked good. Couple of pic's==I know guys like mechanical things....

BTW--if this happens to you--don't be afraid of it, as I was at first--I did a little research, and some videos--and just went for it--saved a bundle--and satisfied that I can still 'do' the small things. You'll ride easy!

glenn
glenn [/ATTACH]

 

BTW--forgo to mention this--the above after-market part was identical (with plastic clips and wire harness included to original OEM part. I know some stuff is NOT the same--you have to make it work--but this was identical (except not worn out)

glenn

 

THanks for the comment.
Where do you spray?
Can't pull my button up but the inside and outside handles work. So it might be a lobe issue rather than spring. But thanks to the spring fix.

 

I spray it in the key hole and put my key back in the key hole and gently work it till it pops loose again.

 

So where can I buy that little replacement spring? I've looked at Lowes, and Menards. They don't have the variety that they once did. I'll be checking Menards next. I've taken my door apart twice. If I apply a slight amount of pressure on the tab where the spring is held my locks work as they should. This tells me that the spring is tired and the problem should be fixed with a good strong replacement spring.

 

Try Ace Hardware

 

I just had this problem last weekend and stumbled across this video. However most of the threads I came across the problem was the spring like in the video. Once I got my door open, I found that the plastic guide that sits on the lock arm that swings the arm that actuates the latch in and out of action had broken off. After several hours of searching online and visiting three separate auto parts stores, I determined it was impossible to find what I needed. Ended up going to the junkyard and it took all of five minutes to pull the part I needed, but not before someone took advantage of the fact my door was unlocked and snagged my Surefire flashlight and Ipod.

 

So I have a problem with my passenger side lock, the key Will not unlock it. It's stuck. It had begun to get a bit stiff over the past year, and would pop a couple times as I turned it, but now it won't budge. Will the graphite spray fix that?

 

As you were trying to lean in with the camera, I was angling myself to try to view in the corner. Too hilarious.

 

@tcBob please un-sticky. Too many stickies in the first gen section.

 

Mine had this happen yesterday on the passenger side. Looks like I’m going to have to remove he passenger seat to get my panel off and door open. I am hoping mine is only the spring.

 

I know this sounds crazy but check out rockauto.com they have parts for a good price that will take care of that... I was just looking to see if there was a easier/less expensive route to the solution. I turn 16 Tuesday and this is my first truck. I plan on doing a lift and tires this summer since the last 3 summers I’ve been saving to buy a truck and somehow came up with a decent truck for it’s age and only had to pay about half. Hopefully this little 4 cylinder with 230,000 miles will hold to Toyota’s name!

 

Just to add my experience to this sticky,

When I got my truck the passenger side would not unlock from the outside with an old worn non oem key. I wanted an extra key and went to the dealer to get an oem key cut with my vin# and key code, and to my delight I found this solved my problem!!

 

How
Much??

 

My oem key? $18.

The guy actually cut a non oem first and brought it out to me, and I said I was at the dealership for oem specifically so he gave me both for the same price! He said the oem ones break at the key ring portion so they dont use them normally and told him I will be careful with it!

 

Too add to the door issues... My passenger door would not open from the outside, and was hard to unlock using the inside door lock knob as well. I watched the video about the spring being broken, but I have power doors and found no spring. Did not matter, the problem was the outside door handle has two tabs ( plastic) that push down and over metal ones on the inside door mechanism. The metal tabs were bent and when you open the door, the plastic handle just get caught inside. You have to remove the handle assembly and straighten the metal tabs. I cleaned and lubed mine. Works better than the drivers door of course. I am gonna pull the drivers door soon. If, someone needs help or pics let me know.

 

Yep. That’s why I use the all metal one now

 

How did you manage to break it?!

 

I think it just broke due to age and fell off the key ring.