Hyundai: 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, hyundai santa fe, spur gears

Question
Hello,

We have a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe that the driver door lock is stuck.  It will unlock from the inside if I manually unlock it...it will not unlock with the automatic unlock button, or the keyless remote.  I have to manually lock it with a key from the outside to lock it.  I would like to know how I can fix it?

Answer
Hi Naseer, well if you want to fix this problem then you will need to get inside your drivers door panel. Once you have the panel off then you will see a rod. A rod connects the actuator to the latch, and another rod connects the latch to the knob that sticks up out of the top of the door. Then you will se a actuator. When the actuator moves the latch up, it connects the outside door handle to the opening mechanism. When the latch is down, the outside door handle is disconnected from the mechanism so that it cannot be opened. This system is quite simple. A small electric motor turns a series of spur gears that serve as a gear reduction. The last gear drives a rack-and-pinion gearset that is connected to the actuator rod. The rack converts the rotational motion of the motor into the linear motion needed to move the lock. When the motor spins the gear, the clutch swings out and locks the small metal gear to the larger plastic gear, allowing the motor to drive the door latch. If you move the door latch yourself, all of the gears will turn except for the plastic gear with the clutch on it. You will need to play with the powered door lock buttons a little to see whats loose and why its not working well with that door. If you cannot find a problem the nyou should take it to the nearest Auto Zone or Discount Auto Parts store and ask them to see it for you.