What to Do When the Driver's Door Won't Open After Unlocking?
2 Answers
When you need to stop during driving and the door won't open, first check if there is an issue with the door lock. If you have a remote key, see if the remote can open it. Door locking and unlocking are controlled remotely. When the central control fails to unlock, manually press the unlock button on the car. If the door still won't open after following the above steps, it might be due to a broken door cable, in which case professional repair is necessary. If the door won't open, try pressing the unlock button on the car key repeatedly, then lock and unlock it, and finally press the unlock button on the left front door trim panel of the driver's cabin.
I had the same frustrating experience the other day! Despite pressing the unlock button, the driver's door simply wouldn't budge. Don't yank it forcefully right away – that could snap the handle. Try inserting the key into the door lock cylinder and turning it twice. Older cars often have issues with the door lock linkage coming loose. If it's a newer car with keyless entry, chances are the electronic lock actuator is acting up – sit in the passenger seat, pry open the small plastic cover on the inner door panel, locate the child lock switch, and toggle it a couple times to fix it. In winter, frozen door seams can also cause jamming – pouring some warm water works best. Honestly, the worst scenario is when the door has been impacted, causing the lock post to deform – that requires removing the door panel for adjustments. Last time I faced this, I ended up spending over 200 bucks to replace the lock actuator before it was resolved.
