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It is common after so many years for the Fiero electric door lock mechanism to no longer be able to fully lock/unlock the door with a single press of the button. Typically, this is simply due to binding of the lock mechanism itself, which is a confusing series of rotating parts. After the years built up crud and rust makes this difficult to operate, and the electric motors don't have enough power to move them. The doorlock mechanism is actually an electric motor and not a solenoid, as is commonly thought. Repairing this mechanism will not only enable your power doorlocks to function, it will allow much easier operation of both the key lock and the interior manual lock.
Tools: 1. Small Flathead 2. Large Flathead 3. Torx - T30
4. Grease 5. Penetrant/Cleaner 6. Interior panel removal tool (Recommended) 7. 7mm nutdriver
Preparation: Remove the interior door panel, Click Here for the Guide
Process: 1. Remove the 3 Torx screws holding the lock mechanism to the door.
2. Pop the door lock rod out of the plastic retainer on the door. (Blue Arrow) 3. Open the tabs on the electric lock pivot and slide the interior lock rod up and out. (Red Arrow)
The following steps require using the large/small flathead screwdrivers for prying open retaining clips. You have to pry open the clips that hold the various connecting rods attached to the lock mechanism. Here's a image of a removed clip:
4. Remove the rod connecting the interior door handle to the lock mechanism. (Red)
5. Lower the latch assembly so you can see the top of it through the opening in the door. Remove the rod connecting the key lock to the lock mechanism. (Green)
6. Remove the rod connecting the interior lock to the lock mechanism. (Blue)
7. Remove the assembly from the door and remove the ajar switch, one 7mm screw holds it on.
8. The top of the mechanism has a pivot (blue) that controls the lock function, pivot back and forth to get a feel for its current resistance.
9. Spray penetrant/cleaner on all the moving joints, and actuate all the mechanisms. 10. Once operation has smoothed to the point it takes very little effort to pivot the lock, it should easily snap back and forth, apply grease to the joints using the tip of a screwdriver or your finger. 11. Check to ensure that all the rod-retaining clips are in place, and re-bend them so they will work properly. 12. Re-install the ajar switch with 1 7mm Screw.
13. Insert the lock/latch mechanism into the door, do not screw in yet. 14. Reconnect the Key Lock rod. (Green)
15. Reconnect the Interior door handle rod (Red)
16. Reconnect the Interior Lock rod, this rod should be behind the Interior Door handle rod (Blue above)
17. Slide mechanism into place, carefully guide the Exterior Handle rod (Yellow above) into place.
18. Reinstall the 3 Torx screws.
Testing: Partially reconnect the interior lock switches, don't install them so far they click. Lock Test: Press unlock then lock. Now push the Interior Lock rod torwards the back, as if locking. You may be able to move the rod, but you should not hear the "Click" sound indicating the door is locked, if so then the power mechanism didn't work fully. Remember the result and continue to the next step. Unlock Test: Press lock then unlock. Now push the Interior Lock Rod towards the front, as if Unlocking. You may be able to move the rod, but you should not hear the the "Click" sound indicating the door is now unlocked, if so then the power mechanism didn't work fully. Remember the result and continue. Diagnoses:
Failed Both Tests:
either you still have binding, or the lock motor is failing. Manually operate the locks and consider how hard they are to operate, if they still feel stiff, repeat the cleaning operation.
Failed just the Lock Test:
Push the Interior Lock Rod all the way to the rear, in the lock position. Now press and hold the "Lock" button and note the position of the lock actuator, it should be rotated towards the back, pressing against the bend in the rod. If not, extend the other bend in the rod with pliers until the actuator presses against the rod when "Lock" is held. Do not bend the actuator itself. Repeat testing from the beginning. Failed just the Unlock Test: Push the Interior Lock Rod all the way to the front, in the unlocked position. Now press and hold the "Unlock" button and not the position of the lock actuator. It should be rotated towards the front, pressing against the lock rod. If not, tighten the other bend in the rod until the actuator presses against the rod when "Unlock" is held. Do not bend the actuator itself. Repeat testing from the beginning. Once you are satisfied with the operation of your locks, re-install your door panel.
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