Sometimes my car door doesn't unlock when I touch it.

OK, so the door coil is bad. Take it to a dealer.

 

I didn't say "fat". I said "well built". There is a distinction between the two, I thought.

Now seriously, as I said your post just reminded me a fun memory of the good old days, nothing more, having nothing to do with you personally whatsoever.

 

Its not all about me? :madgrin:

 

Not at all.

 

Touching my drivers door handle won't unlock the doors. It has been that way for over a year. Wife is tired of using FOB button. Has anybody actually had this condition repaired by the dealer or by yourself? If so what was it, and how much did it cost?

 

I had this occur on both my driver and passenger side door (separate occurrences).

I fixed them both myself. The problem I believe is a bad actuator (the motor in the lock) but unfortunately because of the car design you cannot just replace the actuator for reasons I will explain later. You need to order an entire new door lock assembly (~225$). I did this and installed it myself by taking the door covering off.

The reason you need the entire assembly is because its physically impossible to open the clamshell assembly the actuator is in without breaking the lock assembly (I've tried on my already defective one).

When this first occurred on my car I took it to a dealer and they quoted me at about $550 to fix it which included parts and labor.

If you are somewhat mechanically inclined its about an hour of work.

Let me know if you want more info I'd be happy to help.

 

Thanks! Exactly the information I was looking for. I will order the door lock assembly and install it myself.

 

awesome good luck

 

This doesn't make any sense given the previous statement about being tired of using the FOB. If the FOB works and not the capacitive switch then I don't see how it can be a bad motor. If the motor in the actuator is bad then neither the FOB or capacitive switch should work. It may be a moot point given what you said about not being able to make a sub component replacement.




iPad ?

 

good point, I was speaking to my case in which the only thing to unlocked the door was the mechanical key and physically pushing the button from the inside.

 

I haven't ordered the door lock yet, but there's more to the story! It has been so dry in Florida this winter I had forgotten. In Arkansas today it is raining. The door handle touch unlock works perfectly when soaked by rain. On a dry day I have tried the door handle with a wet hand, but that doesn't work. It has to be soaked with rain! Anybody have any experience with this senario?

 

I do not have the rf fob. About 5 months ago my driver side door lock kept acting up. It wouldn't lock/ unlock consistently. I took it in for repair and got it fixed under warranty. I asked what would have been the cost and they told me about $450.

On the net there are several posts re: how to fix the locks yourself. This is just one thread


Door Lock Actuator Replacement