I have a 2001 Protege with about 60k miles on it. It has power door locks. Recently the front passenger side power door lock stopped working. When the power door locks are activated, there is a whirring/grinding noise from the door panel for about 3 seconds and the door lock doesn't lock/unlock. You can still change the lock manually. The other three door locks all work fine.

I haven't taken the door panel off but I assume that some part in the power door lock system has broken or come off the track. Can anyone tell me if this is easily fixed myself? Do I need to buy a particular part from the dealer so once I get the door panel off it will be an easy fix? I'm guessing that some little plastic part inside the door just snapped. If there is a how-to or other guide, I would appreciate the link...I searched the forum but didn't find anything on this problem.

 

Take the time to take the panel off.

It may just be the solenoid is bad (easy to swap) and just get another from the junkyard...

If it is just a disconnected lever - re-attach. Look at the drivers door if you need a correct reference.

 

My 2 cents. Look at the entire engagement mechanism. The rods that pull the lock may have come out of their guides. As said earlier, look at the driver's door for reference.

 

Soupcxan,

I have exactly the same problem on the driver's side. Did you figure out what is going on?

Thanks

 

I just found a similar problem - the passenger's side door cannot be unlocked with the key, although the power lock button works with it just fine. Also, manually pull/pushing the lever works fine.

Is this something a locksmith can fix? Or should I just get a Chilton and take the panel off and take a look myself?

Thanks for any/all input!
Scott

 

I don't think they have any printed manuals for our cars, but even if they did there's no point is spending the money.
http://protege5.ugly.net

 

thanks so much, Krayzie!

Looks daunting... but when I get it apart I'll probably be able to see pretty plainly what the problem is.

Best, Scott

 

In the end, I thought I should avoid busting something while trying to take the door panel off myself, and ended up going to a locksmith. It turns out that the linkage from the lock to the lock lever was disconnected, simply enough, and it cost me $45.