1995 Q45 Door Lock Not Working Properly - Front Driver Side

[brx1]

I had my car transported New Orleans to LA last weekend. The auto transporters were only given the key-not the remote. So they had to use the key to open the door. I always unlocked the door by remote. I also used a couple of valets to park the car here; it's LA and you often have no choice. All seemed to go ok.

But over the past few days I have noted that the driver side front door lock does not work properly. If I move the driver’s door mounted black switch up or down the other 3 doors lock or unlock. But this door remains unlocked. Pressing the lock button on the remote does the same thing-works for 3 doors. The shiny chrome lock toggle “switch” on the other 3 doors seems to work and move ok. But on the driver’s door, it gets stuck when you try to press it towards the door to lock the car. So I guess there could be an actual mechanical issue with the lock toggle or lock mechanism.

So the only way I have found to lock or even unlock (once locked) the driver’s door was to use the key in the driver’s door lock (did not try on the passenger side). It usually takes a couple of tries even when using the key in the door to lock the car.
I had some recent bad experiences with the dealer in New Orleans. So I would prefer not going back to a dealership here in LA. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Lokim]

Pull the door panel and check the switch...

[goody90q45]

It sounds like a bad door lock actuator. My passenger rear door has been doing this for a while and the black latch next to the door handle gets stuck half closed. Best bet is to take the door panel off and inspect it yourself. Look at all the plastic clips connecting the rods near the door lock and inside lever to make sure they're intact, check the actuator connector for corrosion, and maybe lube up the actuator's arm.

Taking the door panel off is easy stuff and after you've pulled one door panel off the second one won't take you 10 minutes. Start by sliding the armrest forward and lifting it out. The body and trim (BT) section of the FSM has good instructions and drawings for completing the rest.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1995_Q45/1995_Q45/

[brx1]

Thanks

For you folks, this might be an easy repair, once you get the right part. But not for me. I asked mult folks about this. The stealership in Glendale wanted $500-600. Pinky's on Melrose quoted me under $200. Others would not offer an estimate until they took the door apart to check it out. I just don't have time to fart around on this. I think the speed bumps in the parking deck may have jiggled something. The door lock worked normally Sat/Sun. But not after hitting the 8 speed bumps in the pkg deck today. I actually used mass transit on Monday - took way too much time.


So, if Pinky's offers me a good price on the light repair, they get my car for a day.