Hi folks --

This is my first time posting here. I have a 99 Honda Civic EX. Out of nowhere tonight, the driver's side door lock stopped working. It's stuck in the unlocked position, and I can't get it to lock at all. When I got into the car, it was fine, when I parked at my buddy's house, not.

Here's what I've tried:

• Locking the door with the key doesn't work
• Manually pressing the lock doesn't work, regardless of whether or not I hold the handle.
• Power locks don't do the trick, either.

The door opens and closes just fine.

One other bit of weirdness: When this happened, I noticed that one of the big silver Philips head screws that's holding the door latch in place was totally loose, about to fall out. Screwing it in didn't affect the lock at all, though.

I haven't done much work on the car myself, but I'm trying to learn and be less mechanic-dependent.

Can you diagnose what could be going on and how difficult it might be to repair myself? I've never pried open the door panel and don't know how involved that would be.

 

Sound like a faulty acuator or fuse.

 

+1. Try replacing the fuse first.

 

Check for ground at your door lock switch also... if no ground is found, check for broken wires in the kick panel or harness running through the door hinge.

They could be stretched and break with time and also hot/cold tempterature.

 

Sounds mechanical, not electrical. Pull off the door panel and inspect the lock mechanism.

 

Bad door actuator. I've got one of those too. Those things are a b word...

 

Thanks folks --

My gut also tells me that the problem is mechanical, though I can check the fuse. Using the power lock still makes a noise inside the door (and still works on the passenger door). I imagine I'd still be able to lock it manually if the fuse had gone?

When I pull the door panel open, what am I looking for?

 

Listen to your gut.

Sedan or coupe?

 

Coupe

 

Check the latch and lock rods.

But it sounds like a broken or seized latch. Try lubricating.

 

Great, thanks for the diagram. I'll give it a shot.

If something broke in the latch, that could explain why the screw was loose all of a sudden.

 

i vote mechanical not electrical....