GotWood
Sayer of Fact
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2007
- Location
- Maiden, NC
My 99 Super Duty had the dreaded lazy lock that all trucks of this time have. I looked into buying new ones but they run somewhere around $40 each and involve removing the door panels, door latch and the usual BS. Well last week someone decided to break in the truck and trove a screw driver through the lock and destroyed the handle.
I did a little research and ordered the new handle ($20), took the lock cylinder to a locksmith ($20), and fixed the lazy lock problem ($.02). That's right, $.02! The problem all starts with a resister in the lock motor that goes bad and won't allow enough juice to the motor to allow it to operate. The resister is there so that the motor doesn't burn out if the button is held down...kinda did the reverse effect! This part is a non serviceable item that is thrown out and replaced. I am not taking credit for this idea in any way, just passing along my research and posting my results.
First, the door panel has to be removed. The panel with the power lock and window button just snaps off from the front side as does th black cover that covers the mirror and the red door reflector. Behind the reflector and up by the grab handle is are 2 7mm screws. Remove the screws and pull the panel up to remove.
Carefully peel back the dust cover enough to see and get your hand into the lock area. There is a 10mm bolt that holds the window track that needs to be loosened and slid forwards in the slot. This will allow you to get to one if two screws that hold the exterior handle on. The other one is behind a rubber plug on the outer edge of the door. They are 11mm.
There are two plugs and a cable that are going to be a pain. Go ahead and push the plastic retainers back through the door to loosen up the wiring. Unsnap the conector from the interior door lock and remove the three torx head screws that hold the latch mechanism. Now is the fun part. Go back to the exterior and start working the handle out. As you pull it out, disconnect the lock cylinder and rod that operates the handle. Once you fish them up through disconnect the wiring.
The black plastic is the problem. Remove it by using a straight screw driver in the center and giving a gentle twist and the assembly will slide out. This is the end of the hard part believe it or not. Take the assembly to the work bench and have a seat.
I did a little research and ordered the new handle ($20), took the lock cylinder to a locksmith ($20), and fixed the lazy lock problem ($.02). That's right, $.02! The problem all starts with a resister in the lock motor that goes bad and won't allow enough juice to the motor to allow it to operate. The resister is there so that the motor doesn't burn out if the button is held down...kinda did the reverse effect! This part is a non serviceable item that is thrown out and replaced. I am not taking credit for this idea in any way, just passing along my research and posting my results.
First, the door panel has to be removed. The panel with the power lock and window button just snaps off from the front side as does th black cover that covers the mirror and the red door reflector. Behind the reflector and up by the grab handle is are 2 7mm screws. Remove the screws and pull the panel up to remove.
Carefully peel back the dust cover enough to see and get your hand into the lock area. There is a 10mm bolt that holds the window track that needs to be loosened and slid forwards in the slot. This will allow you to get to one if two screws that hold the exterior handle on. The other one is behind a rubber plug on the outer edge of the door. They are 11mm.
There are two plugs and a cable that are going to be a pain. Go ahead and push the plastic retainers back through the door to loosen up the wiring. Unsnap the conector from the interior door lock and remove the three torx head screws that hold the latch mechanism. Now is the fun part. Go back to the exterior and start working the handle out. As you pull it out, disconnect the lock cylinder and rod that operates the handle. Once you fish them up through disconnect the wiring.
The black plastic is the problem. Remove it by using a straight screw driver in the center and giving a gentle twist and the assembly will slide out. This is the end of the hard part believe it or not. Take the assembly to the work bench and have a seat.
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