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Driver Door wont unlock

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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 01:22 PM
  #1  
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From: cold ass minnesota
Driver Door wont unlock

It started out when the driver door wouldn't unlock with the key from the outside (pasanger side is fine and power locks work fine). To unlock the door I use to have to put the key in, turn to unlock, turn to lock, than turn to unlock really fast, than it would unlock. Now I cant get it to unlock no matter now fast I turn the key. I know its not a problem with the key, it still works on the pasenger side. Is it a problem with the cylinder? It is also alot wores in the winter than in the summer.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 01:36 PM
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From: LONDON, KY
Car: Camaro
Engine: Carbed L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Try spraying some graphite in the lock cylinder. I have had a problem like that and it worked. Maybe some lubricant.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 01:43 PM
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From: cold ass minnesota
I've used lubricant when the key is hard to get in and out, and hard to turn, but the keys turns fine but wont unlock. You had the same problem and lubricant helped.

I'll try it when I get home.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 02:08 PM
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From: LONDON, KY
Car: Camaro
Engine: Carbed L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
The cylinder may just be wearing out. might also pull the door panel off and make sure nothing is in a bind. Might want to spray the locking mechanisim in the door. You know down on the latch itself.

Does it open ok from the inside?
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 02:30 PM
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From: Hamilton, NJ
Car: 88 Formula, 04 CTS-V, 06 Commander
Engine: 305 TBI, LS6, 4.7 V-8
Transmission: 5 spd, B&M Short Throw
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=154843
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 03:02 PM
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From: cold ass minnesota
blue grass: Yes it opens fine from the inside manually and with power lock button.

KZad: thats not the same problem, he cant turn his key. My key turns fine, just wont unloock the door
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 03:10 PM
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From: Hamilton, NJ
Car: 88 Formula, 04 CTS-V, 06 Commander
Engine: 305 TBI, LS6, 4.7 V-8
Transmission: 5 spd, B&M Short Throw
ah, gotcha. My appologies. Read your post wrong.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 07:59 PM
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This is going to sound dumb, but you sure you are turning the key too the front of the car. When I first got mine, I thought something was wrong because I was turning the key clockwise oin the drivers side (like the passanger side).

Quiet, it's my first car. I'm allowed a few dumb mistakes
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:04 PM
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From: cold ass minnesota
Originally posted by acidboy
This is going to sound dumb, but you sure you are turning the key too the front of the car. When I first got mine, I thought something was wrong because I was turning the key clockwise oin the drivers side (like the passanger side).

Quiet, it's my first car. I'm allowed a few dumb mistakes
I'm sure I'm turning it the right way
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:39 PM
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From: Oklahoma
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: L98 5.7 V8 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Havent seen you in awhile...Where ya been?
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:46 PM
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From: Cove, Arkansas
Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
Originally posted by jawzforlife1
I'm sure I'm turning it the right way
lol
I think it has to be the lock cylinder since everything else checks out. Your best bet is to pull the cylinder out and test it. A screw driver and small hammer is all you will need to take off the clip on the backside of the lock cylinder. Put the tip of the screw driver on the tab of the clip, point it towards the rear of the car. Tap the middle of the shaft of the screw driver and it should eventually come off. When I replaced the trim on my lock cylinders I could put my key in and turn it and the lever that connects to the rod would move up and down depending if I was locking and unlocking the cylinder.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:48 PM
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From: cold ass minnesota
Well this fall I started saving money to buy a house, And when ever I come here I always find something cool to buy, end up spending all my money. So I had to tell my self to stop buying stuff and with the car in winter storage it was alot easier to not buy.

You could say I'm buying something for the camaro....A garage.

But hay, I'm back so start the party.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:51 PM
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From: cold ass minnesota
Originally posted by 85SportCoupeto89RS
lol
I think it has to be the lock cylinder since everything else checks out. Your best bet is to pull the cylinder out and test it. A screw driver and small hammer is all you will need to take off the clip on the backside of the lock cylinder. Put the tip of the screw driver on the tab of the clip, point it towards the rear of the car. Tap the middle of the shaft of the screw driver and it should eventually come off. When I replaced the trim on my lock cylinders I could put my key in and turn it and the lever that connects to the rod would move up and down depending if I was locking and unlocking the cylinder.
So, if the cylinder is bad do I get one just like the old one (same key) or 2 new ones for each side. Is that a custom locksmith job, or can I just go to the auto parts store and get a new cylinder. Any idea how much money for new cylinders.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 09:02 PM
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From: Cove, Arkansas
Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
I think you could take it to a locksmith and have them fix it or you can replace all 3 locks, it would be a pain to have 2 different keys to open the doors and to open the hatch with the old one. I think you can get them from gm,and autoparts stores I think. As for how much they cost I have no idea sorry

Last edited by 85SportCoupeto89RS; Jan 16, 2003 at 09:08 PM.
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 07:31 AM
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From: LONDON, KY
Car: Camaro
Engine: Carbed L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
You might also be able to get a locksmith to re-key a cylinder to match you key. If not you will have to change all 3.

I have t-tops, so it is not that simple for me. If I change my locks in the doors and trunk, I still have the locks in the t-tops.
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 08:01 AM
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I guess the next step is to take off the inside door panel and locate the cylinder, After I find the cylinder I should be able to see if it moves when I turn the key (I'm thinking nothing will move, Am I correct).
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 08:05 AM
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From: LONDON, KY
Car: Camaro
Engine: Carbed L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Originally posted by jawzforlife1
I guess the next step is to take off the inside door panel and locate the cylinder, After I find the cylinder I should be able to see if it moves when I turn the key (I'm thinking nothing will move, Am I correct).
There will be a rod attached to the cylinder that runs down to the latch. There is a plastic clip that holds the rod to the lock. It may be slipping or broke. Check it out. Also make sure the rod is not getting in a bind anywere.
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 08:16 AM
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So it could be the rod or connection to the lever, That should be alot easier to fix than the cylinder.
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 08:25 AM
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From: LONDON, KY
Car: Camaro
Engine: Carbed L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Yeah, You really dont know untill you get into the door. It might be something simple. Any which way you go it really want be that bad of a job.
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 08:28 AM
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Alright, I probabaly make way to much about this, I'll wait until I get it apart to see what I find, Thanks for the help.

-Jawz
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