When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just wanted y'all's opinion on this. I think my door lock motor might be going out, but maybe it's just that it needs a bit of greasing.
Up until yesterday, the PKE was working just fine, but suddenly it stopped locking and unlocking that side. I can here clicking, and the indicator attempts to move, but it doesn't fully. So it's trying, but isn't overcoming haha.
What do you guys think? Need some lube or is it going out?
Does the problem side work normally with the door switch? If = YES it works normally with the switches, it is not the lock motor. If = NO, the problem side does not work normally with the door switches, it could be mechanical such as linkage or the door latch itself. Try spraying a lot of WD40 or similar into the latch mechanism through the latch opening in the rear of the door. The locking mechanisms are part of the latch assembly. Over time the locking mechanisms get sticky.
Does the problem side work normally with the door switch? If = YES it works normally with the switches, it is not the lock motor. If = NO, the problem side does not work normally with the door switches, it could be mechanical such as linkage or the door latch itself. Try spraying a lot of WD40 or similar into the latch mechanism through the latch opening in the rear of the door. The locking mechanisms are part of the latch assembly. Over time the locking mechanisms get sticky.
Oh nice, so the lubing gets done on the outside?
It doesn't work with the door switch either. I'll try that. I have can of old silly kroil I can spray in there. Thanks for the tip! I'll get back to you on how it went.
I have had both Corvette and non-Corvette vehicles behave this way. About half the time removing the door panel (and sometimes other parts for access) and giving everything a clean and lube will fix it. But lock motors can get weak and bad wiring can steal the amperage needed to move the solenoids. I would warn against spraying wildly into places you can't see. Odds are you won't hit all the correct spots and it just makes a mess that attracts dirt.
I have had both Corvette and non-Corvette vehicles behave this way. About half the time removing the door panel (and sometimes other parts for access) and giving everything a clean and lube will fix it. But lock motors can get weak and bad wiring can steal the amperage needed to move the solenoids. I would warn against spraying wildly into places you can't see. Odds are you won't hit all the correct spots and it just makes a mess that attracts dirt.
Gotcha so you recommend taking the panel off anyway.
May as well. I'm loathe to do it because it's so easy to break the plastics, but I'll give it a go.
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by Asterios Anagnostou
Oh nice, so the lubing gets done on the outside?
It doesn't work with the door switch either. I'll try that. I have can of old silly kroil I can spray in there. Thanks for the tip! I'll get back to you on how it went.
If you're not hearing noise no amount of lube in the lock is going to fix the motor.
Well, its a lot easier to spray **** into the latch than removing the door panel. I've had some successes doing it this way instead of the right way, by removing the panels. The locking mechanism is within the latch assembly. To access the latch in a C4 you not only remove the door panel butthere's another interior panel with wiring, linkages, and other stuff that has to be relocated to gain access to the latch assembly. This second panel is fussier than the door card.
Another clue that it is the latch assembly is that the outside key lock operation should be stiff as well.
Doing it the right way (removing the panels) is fussy. Try the easy way (from the outside) first. It might work, it did for me on my 1992 that was so stiff I was concerned that the key was going to break off.
Well, its a lot easier to spray **** into the latch than removing the door panel. I've had some successes doing it this way instead of the right way, by removing the panels. The locking mechanism is within the latch assembly. To access the latch in a C4 you not only remove the door panel butthere's another interior panel with wiring, linkages, and other stuff that has to be relocated to gain access to the latch assembly. This second panel is fussier than the door card.
Another clue that it is the latch assembly is that the outside key lock operation should be stiff as well.
Doing it the right way (removing the panels) is fussy. Try the easy way (from the outside) first. It might work, it did for me on my 1992 that was so stiff I was concerned that the key was going to break off.
Copy, well you mentioned something there that has me concerned. Unlocking using the key was pretty smooth actually, so ultimately it may just be that lock motor . I will try lubing from the outside first and go from there. I'm not excited about digging into the danged thing so I may end up leaving it for a while.
Lots of stuff looked... Tampered with...
The actuator was the culprit. The linkage is butter smooth and it's just not moving it. Not sure why though. It tries and fails. With nothing attached to it, it moves pretty well.
Last edited by Asterios Anagnostou; May 2, 2025 at 09:18 AM.
Driver's door lock.
. I will try lubing from the outside first and go from there. I'm not excited about digging into the danged thing so I may end up leaving it for a while.
