GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hey guys! I have a 2004 Vibe and my passenger side door lock is... well... locked. It is stuck in the locked position and will not unlock with the fob, the key, or manually trying to flip the lock. All the other door locks lock and unlock freely, this is the only one jammed. Because the door is locked, I can't open it to remove the door panel and get to the problem area. I've tried shooting some WD40 behind the lock switch, but that didn't help. I've also tried accessing the area from the removable cover where the window button is located. That was no good either.

Anyone ever deal with this problem before? Any clever ideas on how to approach it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Chip

I would consult a guy named "Slim Jim". A law enforcement officer might be kind enough to open it for you. Body shops should be versed in this art as well.
But the real artists don't like to be seen at work.

Let her enjoy being chauffeured! Make sure you run around and open the door for her upon entry and exit!

The door locks are a cable system, not a lever and rod system like many other vehicles, so it may not be easily opened by a slim Jim type tool. But it sounds like the actuator froze up in the locked position. I've taken the door panels off before, it was very easy with only 3 screws holding it on and then the push in pin clips, but with the door closed it is a bit of an issue. If you are not in a hurry, I can look at my passenger side again since I need to remove it anyway, and see if there is a way to pop it open from the inside. Worst case would be to remove the seat and then you could possibly get to the bottom of the door panel and maybe get it loose enough to work it free.

Well, these doors are made to NOT be broken into easily! The key turns a shaft from the door latch mechanism and there is no way to touch it or move it with a slim Jim. There is a cable routed to the interior manual lever that will manually unlock the door with power or no power, but if that will not move, then the latch will not unlock. I tried to remove the door panel without opening the door, and I would have to damage it to remove it. I got it to come loose, but would have had to use something to pry it back from the door frame. That could mean a new door panel.

Does the manual lock lever move at all? You could possibly use a large screw driver, wrapped in tape to protect the door panel, and force it out of the door release lever assembly and then use some pliers to try and grab the cable and pull it to release the lock. But that could mean replacing the door release lever and lock lever. One good thing is the actual latch assembly and door lever are basically the same in Corollas, the Matrix and Vibe, so you can probably get good used ones from a salvage yard. I had to replace the rear driver's side lock and latch and got one from an 06 Corolla.

Wish I had better news, but good luck!

chipperoni wrote:Hey guys! I have a 2004 Vibe and my passenger side door lock is... well... locked. It is stuck in the locked position and will not unlock with the fob, the key, or manually trying to flip the lock. All the other door locks lock and unlock freely, this is the only one jammed. Because the door is locked, I can't open it to remove the door panel and get to the problem area. I've tried shooting some WD40 behind the lock switch, but that didn't help. I've also tried accessing the area from the removable cover where the window button is located. That was no good either.

Anyone ever deal with this problem before? Any clever ideas on how to approach it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Chip

As mentioned there are 2 cables, the lock/unlock button is attached to one and the inside door handle is for the other. Depending on the actuator, the inside door handle will open the the door whether locked or unlocked.

Start with all doors locked, and manually move the stuck door's inside lock button, if it will not move to the unlock potions at all then most likely the spindle for the gear has cracked and the gear is wedged in the mechanism.

The key directly operates the door actuator gear via a separate fulcrum, see if you can force it to the unlock position.

However, if you can freely move the interior lock/unlock button with no resistance then most likely the cable has broken.

You may have to cut a hole in the door panel to reach the actuator.

deebiv and trb: you guys made a student out of me!

Feel free to ask for any other info, I rebuild the actuators as a hobby so if you need one let me know.

I would probably resort to drilling the actuator spindle if you determine it is stuck/wedged.

Hi guys, sorry for leaving you high and dry here. I haven't had internet access the last 2 days. Thanks for all the replies! The question was asked about the lock switch moving freely. It does not move freely, I can force it to push halfway to the unlock position, but there is definitely resistance there and it isn't actually releasing the lock, just flexing under the pressure. So it is a stuck thing, not a broken thing (at least not yet) I would assume.

At this point, I'm considering a bit of strategic destruction to get behind the door handle/lock to get to the problem. Is this my only option? If so, should I try and cut out the handle/lock plate with the assumption that I will replace that piece (that is a separate piece right?) or do I need to bore a hole in the panel itself. And when I do get in there, what would the next step be?

Thanks for all the help, you guys are awesome!

Chip

chipperoni wrote:Hi guys, sorry for leaving you high and dry here. I haven't had internet access the last 2 days. Thanks for all the replies! The question was asked about the lock switch moving freely. It does not move freely, I can force it to push halfway to the unlock position, but there is definitely resistance there and it isn't actually releasing the lock, just flexing under the pressure. So it is a stuck thing, not a broken thing (at least not yet) I would assume.

At this point, I'm considering a bit of strategic destruction to get behind the door handle/lock to get to the problem. Is this my only option? If so, should I try and cut out the handle/lock plate with the assumption that I will replace that piece (that is a separate piece right?) or do I need to bore a hole in the panel itself. And when I do get in there, what would the next step be?

Thanks for all the help, you guys are awesome!

Chip

If you confirm you can not unlock via cable manipulation then I would drill out the spindle. Actually drill through door panel and door metal to the spindel screw, remove screw then larger bit to drill out spindle.

I can send measurements if you need them.

1 other option would be to apply 15+ plus volts to the motor via the wire harness, in case the motor is "stuck".

I love the title of this thread At least she's not locked up in the trunk Not sure what you've got done on it since the last post BUT there are plenty of used door panels out there cheap, so at a worse case you's destroy your current door panel in order to get to the mechanisms and open the door to where it can be fixed. Good luck!