# Car door lock is not working **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** accord, honda\ **Created:** [November 30, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939 "2023-11-30T20:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thefinisher1985\_185383](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@thefinisher1985\_185383](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thefinisher1985_185383)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/1 "2023-11-30T20:54:41Z")
2004 Honda Accord LX with a 2.4 liter engine 220,000 miles. So my key does not turn when I try to unlock my door(i get in through my trunk everyday haha). My mechanic said its probably the lock actuator, so I was wondering, is it hard to change the lock actuator myself? And also if my key fob battery is bad would it be better to buy the battery for the key fob instead of getting the actuator? I just hope it’s the actuator because I seen it could be that or something else forgot the name though. But if I get a fob it really wouldn’t matter about the part because i can just lock and unlock it with the fob which honestly I’d rather use my key in the key hole. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/2 "2023-11-30T21:16:19Z")
Whether you replace the door lock cylinder or actuator, the inner door panel has to be removed and the vapor barrier peeled away. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/2/a26bb3c10eb8cb8fcab10cf041349214ea2b78a9.jpeg "2005 Honda Accord door lock cylinder") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muvxYs8yf28) Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/3 "2023-11-30T21:33:14Z")
The two main problems I’ve had to solve when fixing something inside a car door panel - Removing the door card without breaking the plastic fasteners. It is very easy to break them prying w/ a screwdriver. There are tools esp designed for this . This is the one I use. > **[Nylon Pry Bar Installer Kit, 4 Piece](https://www.harborfreight.com/nylon-pry-bar-installer-kit-4-piece-63594.html)** > > Amazing deals on this Nylon Pry Bar Kit 4Pc at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices. - Removing the window up/down crank handle. I presume you have electric windows, so good news, you won’t have that problem. ---
**Author:** ![thefinisher1985\_185383](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@thefinisher1985\_185383](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thefinisher1985_185383)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/4 "2023-11-30T21:33:52Z")
Thanks, do you think either one would work or do you think it could be either or and I’ll have to check to see which one it is and fix that part? But I’ll watch the video and I’ll see if I can do it myself thanks again for this ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/5 "2023-11-30T21:34:57Z")
I’m still puzzled why you get in via the trunk. Isn’t there a key-lock on the passenger side? If not, how do you get in via the trunk? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/6 "2023-11-30T21:35:07Z")
Does the key work on the passenger door? Tester ---
**Author:** ![thefinisher1985\_185383](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@thefinisher1985\_185383](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thefinisher1985_185383)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/7 "2023-11-30T21:35:16Z")
@George_San_Jose1 yeah I’ll have to get these pieces. I plan on buy a lot of stuff this weekend cause I really don’t have any tools. ---
**Author:** ![thefinisher1985\_185383](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@thefinisher1985\_185383](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thefinisher1985_185383)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/8 "2023-11-30T21:37:07Z")
My passenger side doesn’t have any lock on it to open it. only my driver door has this. I open my trunk with my key and I unlock my back door and then just go and unlock my driver door ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/9 "2023-11-30T21:46:37Z")
> [@thefinisher1985\_185383](#): > > I plan on buy a lot of stuff this weekend cause I really don’t have any tools. Just a word of caution: B/c of the electrical components involved, this fix may be a little too complicated for a first time car-diy’er. Probably best to hire it out, or at least find someone experienced to help you. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/10 "2023-11-30T21:53:50Z")
This fix is not complicated. Everything unplugs and plugs back in. But, the opening in the door has sharp edges, and some components may be hard to reach. Most mechanics wear a set arm chaps when doing this type of repair so they don’t get cut. ![91pewtuDYqL](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/d/bd16e1e02d615806260586450336ce3321afd7ca.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/11 "2023-11-30T21:56:23Z")
Put a battery in your FOB. If the actuator works after putting in a new battery, then issue is the lock cylinder which I suspect will be the case. You could try spraying a little oil in the lock cylinder to see if that frees it up but more likely one of the key cylinders has a broken spring. New battery for the FOB about $2, new actuator, $200 just for the part, and that was about 20 years ago so it may be more. Do everything else first before you jump on the most expensive part. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/12 "2023-11-30T22:06:39Z")
> [@keith](#): > > Put a battery in your FOB. If the actuator works after putting in a new battery, then issue is the lock cylinder which I suspect will be the case. > [@thefinisher1985\_185383](#): > > So my key does not turn when I try to unlock my door That right there tells me it’s the lock cylinder. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/13 "2023-11-30T22:22:41Z")
I change all my fob, remote, and other batteries once a year, whether they need it or not. That’s also when I blow out all the smoke detectors. Usually on new years. It was a little unclear if your fob doesn’t work or putting the key in the lock doesn’t work, or if any of these just don’t activate the actuator. I also lube my locks once a year when changing batteries. So depending on the actual issue depends on whether you have to open up the door. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/14 "2023-11-30T23:18:46Z")
Did you lube the lock cylinder yet? That might be all you need. You can lube it through the keyhole then give it a few hours to overnight to move through the mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![thefinisher1985\_185383](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@thefinisher1985\_185383](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thefinisher1985_185383)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/15 "2023-12-01T00:42:03Z")
Anything specific to spray it with? I think I tried spraying my key then putting it in the lock and nothing changed. But honestly i don’t know if a new battery for the key fob is 2 dollars ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/16 "2023-12-01T01:59:35Z")
Any oil in a spray can, use plenty of it, spray it all over on the inside. It will either work or not but it wont hurt it any more than it already is. If your battery is a 2032, they are about $3 each or less depending on how many you buy. A 2 pack at wally world is about $6. Your owners manual explains how to replace it. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 2:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/17 "2023-12-01T02:08:53Z")
Do **NOT** use any liquid base product to lube your lock cylinder. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1daf3a924d019b22e66a6e079ede002cac80a706.jpeg "Fix And Lubricate A Sticky Lock And Key") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UZshPT59nY) Tester ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/18 "2023-12-01T18:09:49Z")
Use a dry graphite lube. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/7/17515ee8d9e927a686eb81b47903a6b0b4169973.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/19 "2023-12-01T21:16:31Z")
I rub my key’s surfaces with a pencil once in a while, before inserting it into the lock. Seems to help keep the inner mechanism turning freely. Works better with softer lead pencils, like those little stubby ones you can get for free at golf courses and libraries. Given the description of the symptom however, I doubt that will work in OP’s case. But easy enough to give it a try, might get lucky. ---
**Author:** ![nofyfb\_180405](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@nofyfb\_180405](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nofyfb_180405)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 1:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939/20 "2023-12-02T01:39:00Z")
You have a worn cylinder and/or the key. It’s a 20min job to replace it (new cylinder will come with its own key). [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-door-lock-is-not-working/193939.md?page=2)