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How can I lock my car when it didn't come with the key to unlock it & some of the doors don't lock right?


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Feleciab
New User

Jun 14, 2017, 6:47 PM

Post #1 of 2 (1683 views)
How can I lock my car when it didn't come with the key to unlock it & some of the doors don't lock right? Sign In

Not sure where to post this.

I'm wondering if there is any way to deter thieves from my car when I can't lock it. The driver door doesn't lock at all, and some of the others don't lock right, AND I don't have the key that unlocks it (I can't afford a locksmith). Just wondering if there is any way for me to fashion some sort of locks at least for the driver that can be installed outside of the native lock system. Like a padlock for cars...

It's a 1997 ford explorer, 4wd v6 automatic if that helps.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 14, 2017, 10:44 PM

Post #2 of 2 (1662 views)
Re: How can I lock my car when it didn't come with the key to unlock it & some of the doors don't lock right? Sign In

Help me help you with this. Need to know if the driver's door that doesn't lock at all and others not right is all about. Key for ignition should unlock and lock driver's door at least and passengers also plus the rear hatch whatever style that is.


It sounds like two things from your description that you can drive this by key but can't use that key for the door - am I correct so far?
Does key even begin to try just doesn't turn or like the wrong cut of key totally like to the wrong Explorer? Is door original to this car (just call it that) you can see a sticker on door jam with the VIN# and if it matches one seen thru windshield.


A quick look up shows the electric actuators are likely the same for each front door or a different rod used for rear doors and yet another for tail gate.


Full price was about $42 for new actuators each just the motor and bracket nothing about the key or any fob I guess it now out of the question.


Can you take the driver's door panel off and the motor for lock out which is a motor riveted to the door metal could just remove that actuator which is probably frozen up solid and will not allow manual motion by a key or manually from inside.
General idea of what they look like.................

Here's a plain lock, key and cylinder for this if the only thing or needed as well...............

Same $$ about $43 appears to be for both sides?
Believe it or not that's a motor and the rod is a spiral "barber's pole" cut to push and pull that rod riding up and down that rod - they freeze up stuck either the motor itself locks up or the rod can't move.


I suspect you need more that just a key to match the lock cylinder rather sounds like both and are separate so you know.


OK - This is where if $$ for a locksmith isn't in the cards for you, either need to get handy yourself and at least take that rod out as it should go to the latch where jaws clamp on the striker bolt. Unhooked from inside with door panel off and this actuator is no longer power but key should work if it matches or would lock and unlock manually from inside. All of them are rods and plastic clips that grab the rod to stay in place.


What do you really want to do? If you are serious about putting a padlock like for a wooden shed door on this you could with just a drill, screws the latch and a padlock. OMG that is really hacking up this vehicle I really don't suggest doing that rather really easier to fix it yourself properly cheaper and doesn't destroy the metal of the outside of doors nor risk drilling holes where they may not work to hold screws.
Sorry - this is fussy but simple in a way. I suggest you take a look inside door panel, lube up what's there or take it out and see if you can get it to move.


Great place to get this all working for cheap $$ will be a junkyard you can get your own parts buy or borrow some tools*


*There's the stopper - there are an assortment of tools you'll need to just take a door panel off without destroying it and now at the age those plastic clips are likely to bust just taking those apart so you really are stuck for tools and finding those clips now available in packages of an assortment.


Takes time to mechanically fix this hardware or even get working used. Know that some used parts vehicles will have had this stuff already replaced and have keys if a good salvage yard to their stock of vehicles you can either copy with a cheap key or have the one they have - depends on the vehicle junked and if the place will let you scavenge a vehicle or a few to get what you need? That is sorted where I am such that a whole known good door they wouldn't let you touch rather buy whole door or parts off of them if already damaged.


It's either you get some tools or pay to fix just driver's door.


Your call to pay for tools and fix them all yourself or pay and would choose a body shop to do just the one?


For one and a good deal for a labor rate you could own the tools to do them all but need to have some clue on actually pretty easy when there and parts in your hands to make this junk (it is just that) inside a door.


******************************
Back to top: Need to know how handy you are and what tools you already have. If not much of either the job is finding the right shop. Ask a junkyard if they would do this! They have the people and tools to get this stuff off of wrecks or junks up to selling you a whole door and installing it. That may be you best bet - plain ask and if they say NO ask if they know another that would fuss with this within your budget for it,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jun 14, 2017, 10:59 PM)






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