Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Finally fixed my stuck door lock

I finally found a fix to the door lock binding and not unlocking on my Daughters LJ/TJ. Maybe this could help someone.

Thanks for this post! I have had this problem on both of my full steel doors. It has been driving me crazy trying to figure out. I will be trying this soon. Just ordered a few small parts to replace everything that looks worn out while I do this to add insurance to the fix. I have had the interior panel off of one door for nearly a year because of this. Constantly having to reach in and pop the door open by pulling on the rod.

Quadratec has these parts if you want to replace any:

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4 of Crown Automotive 4658444 Door Rod Lock Clip for 97-18 Jeep Wrangler TJ, Unlimited & JK; 97-01 Cherokee XJ , 93-04 Grand Cherokee ZJ & WJ and 07-10 Compass MK
$7.96


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4 of Crown Automotive 4658445 Door Lock Rod Clip for 97-18 Jeep Wrangler TJ, Unlimited & JK; 97-01 Cherokee XJ , 93-04 Grand Cherokee ZJ & WJ and 07-10 Compass MK
$7.96


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2 of Crown Automotive 55076307 Door Lock Cylinder Lever for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ and Unlimited
$19.98


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2 of Crown Automotive 55295904 Door Lock Cylinder Retainer for 97-18 Jeep Wrangler TJ and JK; 97-01 Cherokee XJ; 93-98 Grand Cherokee ZJ and 08-12 Liberty KK
$9.98
 
Great post. I'll bet that's been my issue too. Couldn't find anything binding in the usual locations. When it warms up I'll be back inside the door again looking at this. Thanks!🍻
 
Thanks so much for posting. When we bought our LJ the door wouldn't lock from the inside. Then a couple of weeks ago while I was out of town my hubby and son installed the new inside door handle to "fix" it. Now it locks me inside every time I drive. Not so safe. Now hopefully with the help of this video and part list I can take it apart tomorrow and finally get it working correctly. Appreciate the info.
 
Thanks so much for posting. When we bought our LJ the door wouldn't lock from the inside. Then a couple of weeks ago while I was out of town my hubby and son installed the new inside door handle to "fix" it. Now it locks me inside every time I drive. Not so safe. Now hopefully with the help of this video and part list I can take it apart tomorrow and finally get it working correctly. Appreciate the info.
Hope it helps! My Daughter was getting locked in as well, having to use the passenger door to get out. So far, it has worked with no repeats since. I hope and trust yours will be the same. Keep us posted if you find new info when you open yours to fix. Thanks again!
 
I had the same problem when I bought my 2004. The inside door lock would not swivel back and forth, but the key worked perfectly and smothly from the outside. I watched the interal door lock move back and forth using it with a key, but i could not physically push it myself. I took the door apart, but nothing was broken, bent or out of whack. So, I went and bought this powdered graphite from Home Depot and puffed it all around the interior parts of the door. Within a few seconds the lock loosened up and I'm now able to lock & unlock from the inside. It might be a little stiff the first time I use it in the morning, but I put a little extra pressure on it with my thumb and it is definately like 90% better now.
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I have this same exact problem. One question, were you trying to not wake up a baby in the front seat? I have my volume cranked and I can barely hear you in some places.
 
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I had the same problem when I bought my 2004. The inside door lock would not swivel back and forth, but the key worked perfectly and smothly from the outside. I watched the interal door lock move back and forth using it with a key, but i could not physically push it myself. I took the door apart, but nothing was broken, bent or out of whack. So, I went and bought this powdered graphite from Home Depot and puffed it all around the interior parts of the door. Within a few seconds the lock loosened up and I'm now able to lock & unlock from the inside. It might be a little stiff the first time I use it in the morning, but I put a little extra pressure on it with my thumb and it is definately like 90% better now.
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How has this held up since you did this. My door locks are "sticky" as well just like the OP' video, but if this works it is easier than pulling the door completely apart.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts