QuestionQUESTION: Hello. I have a 2000 Chrysler LHS. Just a couple of days ago, just after pulling out of the driveway the automatic locks locked as usual but when they did the drivers side made a loud startling kind of Buzz. It continues to do this everytime the doors are locked, only on the drivers side. Please help :)
ANSWER: Hi Tiffany,
Either the door lock mechanism needs lubrication or the locking motor it failing. I would suggest that you try spraying some WD-40 or similar lubricant on the rotational lock mechanism mounted on the door particularly the interface between the part that moves and the shaft that its axis passes through so as to reduce friction so the motor might be more able to secure it. Similarly, if there are any cracks/openings in the door surface near the locking mechanism try spraying lubricant in the cracks so as to lubricate the hidden-from-view interior mechanism.
If that doesn't solve it, I would remove the door panel and similarly spray the rest of the locking mechanism. If that doesn't fix it, then buy a new power door lock motor and install it. You would remove the interior panel and simply pull the old motor from the latch mechanism. Let me know if you want the details for that and I can copy the pages from the manual and postal mail them to you.
Of course if you choose to manually use the hand-operated push-button to lock that door you may circumvent the annoyance of the noise entirely.
Roland
PS:Please 'rate' my answer, and where you see the question about 'volunteer of the month' please give me a 'yes' vote. Thank you.
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QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response! Do you know ball park how much one will cost me? Is it easy enough to install or should I take it to a mechanic?
ANSWER: Hi Tiffany,
The cost of the part would best be found at a dealership parts counter. It is not clear from the manual whether the lock 'motor' is sold as a separate part or of you have to buy the entire mechanism, so the price would depend upon that aspect.
The manual is clear about what is needed to remove the trim panel and then get to the latch in order to either replace the motor or the mechanism too. I suspect the cost/time would depend upon having the page that shows the steps. If you are mechanically inclined, I see no reason to not try it yourself.
My thinking though is that probably the mechanism has just gotten gummed up/dusty and has too much friction for the little electric 'motor' to move it. That is why spraying it with WD-40 and 'exercising' it by hand using the push-button mechanaism would be my first approach.
Here is another thing to try: If you roll the window down all the way, then carefully insert the straw-applicator of the WD-40 spray can into the opening between the glass and the frame so as to spray lubricant inside the door, toward the hidden from view latch mechanism, you might thus lub the mechanism without having to remove anything and thus get the noise to disappear. That has been my experience with other vehicles but I can't guarantee it will work. Give it a try and see. I don't think there is any downside to trying.
Roland
PS Thanks for the rating/nomination. You are entitled to do it again with each question/answer. Thank you.
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QUESTION: Well the door does still lock and unlock fine, It just makes a loud "buzz" when it does. Maybe that is a sign of the motor going? Or could it just need a little WD-40 like you said?
AnswerHi Tiffany,
It is hard for me to know whether it is friction in the mechanism or early failure of the motor. I don't believe that any harm would be done by spraying some WD-40 on the mechanism as I described in my previous answer. Only time will tell. My suspicion is friction...
Roland
