Driver's Door Not Unlocking

jcosta79 · 10-09-2017, 08:08 PM

So the driver's door won't unlock all the time. The best way to describe it is that it's "tired". I hear the actuator or mechanism working, but the lock switch doesn't move or doesn't move all the way. This happens whether I use the fob or the unlock switch on the inside door panel. If I use the key or move the switch with my finger, the door unlocks.

Any ideas? I'm stumped.

jcosta79 · 10-09-2017, 08:59 PM

Also, locking the door is never a problem. Only unlocking.

SouthArk370Z · 10-09-2017, 09:28 PM

Take a look and see if the lube has gummed up. If so, clean and re-lube.

Edit: Also see if anything has come loose. Re-tighten as necessary.

jcosta79 · 10-09-2017, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Take a look and see if the lube has gummed up. If so, clean and re-lube.

Edit: Also see if anything has come loose. Re-tighten as necessary.

Do I need to take the door panel off?

SouthArk370Z · 10-10-2017, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

Do I need to take the door panel off?

Probably, but I'm not sure. The FSM is your friend.

Misnomer · 05-15-2018, 02:25 PM

Bumping this thread because it's the most recent one I can find on this issue. I just started having the exact same problem, but I'm not the FSM type so I'm taking it to a shop in a couple of days. I'll post what I learn just in case anyone else has this problem in the future.

axmea? · 05-15-2018, 10:54 PM

The mechanism is easy to replace but expensive if stealership. Brand new OEM parts aren't cheap so if you're ok with a used part from eBay you save more.

Misnomer · 05-16-2018, 10:04 AM

I bought my car used, and only took it to Nissan a couple of times: I always felt like I couldn't trust the one near me. I used a Meineke for a while, but after they pissed me off last summer I managed to stumble across a really great shop near my old office. I love that place/those guys. But a few months ago I changed jobs, and now I work close to home and that shop is 15 miles away.

I'll still use them for "big" repairs and scheduled maintenance, but the last time I was there I asked if they could recommend a place near where I live/work for smaller stuff (and emergencies). One of the guys used to work at a shop near me and had good things to say, so I'm trying the new place tomorrow. I'll see what they say about parts, cost, etc.

Anyway, the problem is intermittent: after 3-4 consecutive fails, the door unlocked just fine this morning. So it's entirely possible they'll tell me they can't diagnose/fix it if they can't duplicate it. *sigh*

Misnomer · 05-18-2018, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misnomer

it's entirely possible they'll tell me they can't diagnose/fix it if they can't duplicate it. *sigh*

Yup. I'll have to wait until the lock break breaks, and try again.

spacemanspiff · 05-19-2018, 08:09 PM

I've got the same issue, started about a month ago on my 2010. Works most of the time, then every once in a while it doesn't. I just hold the unlock button down, wait for the windows to roll down, then reach in and unlock manually. Only fails when unlocking so far.

Misnomer · 05-21-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspiff

I just hold the unlock button down, wait for the windows to roll down, then reach in and unlock manually.

That's a way better idea than crawling across the interior from the passenger seat. *facepalm*

I feel like the problem could be tied to heat: I'm pretty sure it was hot outside when the unlock stopped working the first time, it was rainy and cool last week when the car was at the shop and working fine, then yesterday it was 80+ degrees and the door didn't unlock. This morning it was cooler, and the lock worked again. Have you noticed anything like that?

SouthArk370Z · 05-21-2018, 11:33 AM

This is a wild guess but the windows may be involved. Try doing a window reset. Can't hurt, free, and easy.

Misnomer · 05-22-2018, 01:27 PM

It's rainy and cool again here, but the next time the problem reoccurs I'll keep the window reset WAG in mind. Thanks!

10-09-2017, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	Driver's Door Not Unlocking So the driver's door won't unlock all the time. The best way to describe it is that it's "tired". I hear the actuator or mechanism working, but the lock switch doesn't move or doesn't move all the way. This happens whether I use the fob or the unlock switch on the inside door panel. If I use the key or move the switch with my finger, the door unlocks. Any ideas? I'm stumped. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

10-09-2017, 08:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
jcosta79 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 1,430 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 15	Also, locking the door is never a problem. Only unlocking. __________________ 2012 PW NISMO #0559 - GT Spec Brace Kit - Swift Springs - ARK TP & Invidia CBE K&N Intake - UpRev Tune - 15mm Z1 Spacers & Studs - StopTech Slotted Rotors & SS Lines - ZSpeed CMAK with Stage 2 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel

10-09-2017, 09:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Take a look and see if the lube has gummed up. If so, clean and re-lube. Edit: Also see if anything has come loose. Re-tighten as necessary. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-15-2018, 02:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Misnomer Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 95 Drives: 2020 BMW M240i Rep Power: 12	Bumping this thread because it's the most recent one I can find on this issue. I just started having the exact same problem, but I'm not the FSM type so I'm taking it to a shop in a couple of days. I'll post what I learn just in case anyone else has this problem in the future. wideglideleon likes this.

05-15-2018, 10:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,235 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	The mechanism is easy to replace but expensive if stealership. Brand new OEM parts aren't cheap so if you're ok with a used part from eBay you save more. __________________ >MyZ's Album< NISMO Convert/ECUTEK/Takeda CAI/F.I. HFC NR CB Carbon/F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler/4.08 Final Drive /Powertrix+Swifts/Hotchkis/SPL/Whiteline/TWM/Zoom Engineering/EVO-R/AeroJacket Vented CF Fenders + CF Spoiler/Avant Garde-WORK/NST/Morimoto Halo/STi Clear Lenses/Carbon Signal Automotive/RJM Performance/ZSpeed Clutch Flywheel CSC delete

05-16-2018, 10:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Misnomer Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 95 Drives: 2020 BMW M240i Rep Power: 12	I bought my car used, and only took it to Nissan a couple of times: I always felt like I couldn't trust the one near me. I used a Meineke for a while, but after they pissed me off last summer I managed to stumble across a really great shop near my old office. I love that place/those guys. But a few months ago I changed jobs, and now I work close to home and that shop is 15 miles away. I'll still use them for "big" repairs and scheduled maintenance, but the last time I was there I asked if they could recommend a place near where I live/work for smaller stuff (and emergencies). One of the guys used to work at a shop near me and had good things to say, so I'm trying the new place tomorrow. I'll see what they say about parts, cost, etc. Anyway, the problem is intermittent: after 3-4 consecutive fails, the door unlocked just fine this morning. So it's entirely possible they'll tell me they can't diagnose/fix it if they can't duplicate it. sigh

05-19-2018, 08:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
spacemanspiff Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 3 Drives: 2010 370Z Touring Rep Power: 15	I've got the same issue, started about a month ago on my 2010. Works most of the time, then every once in a while it doesn't. I just hold the unlock button down, wait for the windows to roll down, then reach in and unlock manually. Only fails when unlocking so far.

05-21-2018, 11:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	This is a wild guess but the windows may be involved. Try doing a window reset. Can't hurt, free, and easy. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-22-2018, 01:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Misnomer Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 95 Drives: 2020 BMW M240i Rep Power: 12	It's rainy and cool again here, but the next time the problem reoccurs I'll keep the window reset WAG in mind. Thanks!

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