Volvo: 92 Volvo 960, volvo 960, screw driver

Question
I can no longer unlock my '92 sedan using the driver side door. I have to get in by unlocking the passenger door, then reaching across to unlock the drivers door which unlock all the door in the car. Is this something that i can fix? And how? oh and how do i get the driver door panel off?

Jimmy said it would be hard to replace and i should get an professional.

But, on a scale from 1 - 10 (10 being hardest) How hard would it be? And How expecive? - with and with out a professional? Thanks sooo much, Jessica


Answer
It sounds like the key lock on the driver's side is malfunctioning.  If the key doesn't unlock the door even when you physically turn it, the problem is probably mechanical.  You'll need to take the door panel off from the inside in order to examine and find the issue.  I've only disassembled a 240 door, which is quite different, but I can tell you it usually is just a series of plastic clips that hold it onto the door frame.  Carefully going around the rim of the door with a flathead screw driver and prying the frame where the clips are should do the trick, with some patience.  Once you get inside, replacement of the locking mechanism itself will be fairly easy.  You'll just have to undo some linkages and push it out through the inside.  I would say its probably a 3-4 on your scale, and doable by you no problem.  If you go to a junk yard to pull off a spare locking mechanism (like Ecology Auto Wrecking), it will only cost you a few bucks.  If you buy one new from the dealership, it will probably cost $40-50.  Good luck!