Door handle and lock issues

I have a sticking door handle and lock on the driver's side.

When I put in the key to lock door, I cannot lock it from the outside. They key does not turn. To look the door, I have to push down the tab from the inside before closing the door. However, I can unlock it fine.

The door has also started to get harder to open from the handle. I have to pull it a bit harder than normal to get the door to open.

Does this sound like an actuator issue, or something else?

1997 Tacoma

 

I recently suffered from a similar problem. My driver door lock would only unlock from the outside and I could only lock it from the inside. My door handle also became hard to open and it eventually broke.

I tore down my door to replace the handle and put in a new lock. My old door lock was shot, I'm not sure what the part is called, but one of the pieces that gets aligned when your key is inserted was split in half, which didn't allow my lock to rotate both directions.

My door handle had broken a plastic piece that actuated the door handle, thus not allowing it to operate correctly.

I ended up replacing both my locks (new keys as well) and both my door handles since I was in there. If I were you I would take apart your door and take out your lock and handle to inspect them. My bet would be your lock is probably shot and your handle is on its way out.

Hope this helps

 

Does anyone know how to make the doors auto lock so you can just press a button to lock or unlock the doors on the inside.
Also, has anyone put in automatic widow rollers?

 

Not saying either couldn't be done, however would be expensive and a VERY time consuming project. I've been manually rolling windows up and down and locking and unlocking doors for 27 years and 415,000 miles in my '96 and really has never been an issue except I did replace a locking mechanism for my P/S side door once. Wasn't difficult.

Does look a little strange seeing a window crank these days.

 

Sounds like some door lock linkage lubrication is in order .

 

This is quite a common swap should be a few writes ups floating around .

2 common ways it is done find all the internal door parts and switches insert in your current doors.

Find 2 doors with the power windows and power locks and swap the doors.

Many vehicles have the truck side harness installed.

 

Graphited Lock Lubricant