kornerk12

The vehicle is a 98 Prelude. The driver side door will not unlock with the keyless entry or with the key. The passenger side opens normally. At first the issue was only with the keyless entry not opening the door however now the door will not unlock with either. I pulled the door panel off yesterday, which by the way was not fun with the door closed, it didnt work out too well. Either way the panel is off. The unlock button works from the driver side works to unlock only the passenger side door. If you manually go to unlock the door from inside the latch will not pull back.

I tested the door lock actuator yesterday and it clicked in both positions, however the door didn't open. I'm not sure if it was supposed to when applying 12v to the desired pins or just click like it did. Does this sound more like an electrical issue or mechanical issue ? If it wasn't mechanical shouldn't the door open with the key ? However I had issues before it would not work with the key.

BTW i posted this in the prelude forum and have not gotten many responses so I would like any insight I can get.

slow-ef

had kind of the same problem on my integra dont know if preludes are the same but the part i circle usually have nuts that u can adjust to make the tension on the little bar tighter or looser so when you turn the key or hit the lock/unlock button it makes the bar push or pull the lock if its too loose it wont have enough tension to unlock it if its to much it will unlock or lock reall easy

fcm

It has to be mechanical if you can't unlock/open the door with the key.

Are they stock actuators or aftermarket, I ask because of what looks like aftermarket wiring hanging on the door?

Have you removed the actuator to see if Door linkage will work with key?94

BTW is it a RH drive, the pix is of the right side door.

kornerk12

they are stock actuators as far as i know. How do i remove the actuator with the door closed ? It seems like a tight fit. Also that picture is not of my car.

fcm

OIC, you still have not been able to open the door.

The problem is either a seized actuator or jammed linkage, there are two ways to go, use a slim jim to unlock the door so you can open it, if that will not work, [seized actuator] you will have to destroy the door panel. 94

kornerk12

i have the panel off already.

Evs-One

There's a trick to opening a door with a bad latch/etc....involves drilling onto the door latch from inside the door. it's a huge PITA, but the best way to do it...there was an OLD service bulletin for this, as it happened quite frequently on 90-93 Accords. I'll see if I can find it

kornerk12

ok nice. Just because the acuator clicked in both directions does that mean its good ? Or should it have actually unlocked the door ?

fcm

If actuator moves in both directions it's good and it should have unlocked the door.
Sounds like linkage is off at the latch mechanism, [lock] or the latch mechanism itself is broken.

Just went out and looked at the one in my 94 LS and if your 98 Prelude is the same it will be a cow to open, you should be able to remove the outside door handle giving you better access to the locking linkage at the latch mechanism so you can unlock the door.94

kornerk12

yes i can it looks like there is two bolts and 2 rods connected to it.

94wip

Just putting this out there in case no one did it yet... My locks stick on the passenger side in my 94 civic and the only way to open it is to hold the latch out like you're trying to open it and then push the unlock button. Don't know why it works but it does... at least for my problem.

kornerk12

thanks for the info, unfortunately it still didn't open

kornerk12

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kornerk12

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kornerk12

Someone has to know this for sure.

fcm

If actuator "clicks in both directions" it should have unlocked the door, but if it is not connected, [linkage] to the latch or latch is jambed or broken it would no unlock the door.

Did you remove the outside handle for better access to the latches locking mechanism? 94

kornerk12

I removed the outside lock, which by the way is a PITA since I couldn't get right onto on of the screws. Here is what I found: If you see in the first picture that is the linkage that goes to the area in the locking mechanism that does not want to move when I go to unlock the door.
In the second picture that lower rod is the one that goes into the lock and binds up because the lock will not move. Also as seen in the third picture,the linkage coming from where you insert the key seems to be moving nothing inside the lock as you turn the key, it felt like there was alot of play where that attachs to the lock. Sorry this picture should be rotated.

kornerk12

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kornerk12

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kornerk12

hey guys I need to get this thing unlocked any help would be appreciated.

dtapia

the door latch spring broke and you will need to drill the door lock from the inside to release the cam.

kornerk12

where on the lock do i have to drill ?

kornerk12

Where on the lock do you have to drill exactly ?

kornerk12

I found this site, does anyone else have any info ?

http://techauto.awardspace.com/doorproblem.html

kornerk12

bump