94 door locks

[pitt]

I just signed up and this is my first attempt at using this forum. I have a 94 coup that the key, on both doors, will lock but not unlock. I've owned this vette for only a month so i'm sure that they both didn't stop working at the same time. All inside controlls work fine, including my remote. It's seems kinda strange that both would crap out, beeing that you use the drivers side a lot more frequently.I'd appreciate any help on this matter.
pitt

 

[DRTH VTR]

I can't help you with your question, but I want to welcome you to the CAC!

 

[Toms007]

Seems a bit strange to me as well, there must be a reasonable explaination. I just don't know what it is.

By the way, welcome to CAC.

 

[Jeb]

Just to be sure I have this correctly.

You can use the key to lock the doors but the same key won't unlock them?

...or....the doors will lock using the switch but the key won't unlock them.

I'm sure the first is what you meant but I want to be sure.

 

[Patrick]

Jeb,
First off, welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

This does sound like an unusual problem, and I think C4C5Specialist will definately be able to help. If he doesn't find this thread, you may try sending him a PM and asking him directly.

I'm just speculating here, as I'm certainly no expert. I'm assuming you have the factory key fobs that came with the car originally. As I recall, owners of '94s in the past have registered complaints about the system they used in '94 with the passive door lock system that would unlock the doors when you got within a certain range. I'm wondering if that system might have been disabled on yours, and the disabling took out the "active" part of the system recognition, too.

At any rate, what you're describing sounds like some sort of signal recognition issue in the receiving end (meaning, in the car, if both key fobs are experiencing the same failure to unlock the doors.) As I said, C4C5Specialist may have some ideas on this.


-Patrick

 

[Jeb]

Patrick, thanks for the welcome but I've been here for a while.


Anyway, I believe he said his remotes work fine.

I cannot imagine how a key would work to lock the doors but not unlock them as the same tumblers which the key uses to turn the lock barrel to lock the door are used to turn the lock barrel to unlock it. Nothing mysterious about a simple mechanical system like a door lock.

However, if he is locking the door with the doorlock switch, it's quite possible that the doorlock key wouldn't unlock the door simply because it's the wrong key. That could happen if someone changed the locks on the doors and didn't change the key on the keyring prior to selling the vehicle. Some people never use the key but instead, rely on the remote and thus, don't realize that they're carrying around a worthless piece of metal on their keyring until they try to use it. If the previous owner changed the locks for some reason, it's possible this could be the case.

I would suggest that the poster try to lock the doors using the key, instead of the switch or the remote, and see if it works. If it does, and still won't unlock the doors, I don't have the foggiest idea of what the problem might be but he might wish to visit a priest and get the car exorcized.

 

[Patrick]

Sorry, Jeb. I meant to address my post above to Pitt. Shows what happens when I'm typing at oh-dark-thirty before my first cup of coffee.


-Patrick

 

[pitt]

demon door locks

Yep, the key will perfectly lock both doors, but forget about unlocking them! Even my priest can't help with this one.

 

[Jeb]

Ok. Now we're narrowing it down somewhat.

Have you tried a different key? It's possible, I suppose, that one of the "points" (I don't know the correct nomenclature) on the key is either worn down or broken off which would allow the key to work in one direction and not in the other (like a ratchet which grabs in one direction and doesn't grab in the other).

If a Priest is out of the question, have you talked to a locksmith?

Then again, maybe you could call my ex-wife and drive her crazy. LMAO

 

[Rabbit]

Does this happen with your PKE active or "off"? Maybe it's already unlocked by your PKE as you come into range? Just a thought.....

 

[pitt]

It has an aftermarket alarm installed. It's a prestige by audiovox, done prior to me buying the car.

 

[toptechx6]

I'd try lubricating the latch mechanism with WD40, you may need to remove the door panel for good access but it may be possible to give it a good soaking by just removing the very top of the door weatherstrip and spraying down toward the latch. The reason it will work one way and not the other may simply be a matter of leverage exerted by the linkage.

 

[Corvette95]

Well, a simple call to a locksmith should handle this , or before that, take your vin number to the local chevy dealer and have them cut a key from the gm database (NOT copy your key) if that doesnt work, call a locksmith. Both shouldnt cost too much.

 

[vee93]

And I thought my system could get squirrely!!! First, are you able to contact the previous owner to ask about the alarm system? If not, take your Vette to a Chevy dealer--ask to borrow a new PKE. Use that PKE to see if you can reprgram the alarm system. If it works, buy it and ditch the aftermarket, non-PKE you have. As a backup, try MidAmerica Motorworks, Eckler's, Corvette America, Corvette Central, Ebay, etc... and purchase another Vette PKE for the C4. Good luck!

 

[Jeb]

Sorry, but I have to ask.....

Has the door key ever worked since you've owned the car? (Not that it matters much)

I don't think the PKE has anything to do with this. These locks aren't any different than any other door lock. It's what is connected to the linkage that is different when you have a remote installed and that linkage doesn't come into play when you use the key. Either the key works or it doesn't, and the only mystery is why it will lock the door but won't unlock it.

Even if the aftermarket alarm is faulty, the door key should still work. It's a simple mechanical device that hasn't really changed since Fred Flintstone put one on his wheel. If the key doesn't work, it's either the fault of the lock or the key and since BOTH locks won't open with the key, I'd put my money on the key.

My advice? Get a new key from a dealer and see what happens.




.

 

[John Robinson]

Welcome

If you do not have an owners manual with your car try this site. http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72323 This is a pdf file for the owners manual there are several pages devoted to the key system. The way I see it your problem is normal but then most people don't think I am normal:L

 

[Darth Vetter]

Hi, just came accross this thread. I had a Vette that did the same thing. When the battery went dead in the remote, I had to use the key for the first time. It would turn one way but not the other. I lubed the lock and played with it untill it worked fine. Hope this helps. Welcome to CAC!

 

[raggtopp]

This could drive a guy :crazy . The key works in one direction, but not the other. So the key does activate the cylinder pins. Would guess that the linkage ( or something) is binding in the unlock position. Perhaps it has never worked correctly? A new, virgin key couldn't hurt. I'd be inclinded to take the door panel off, disconnect the linkage and see if the key will turn the lock?

 

[raggtopp]

Ya..what Darth said! ;worship

 

[pitt]

Well I went to my local chevy dealership and had a key made from the vin # and the door still won't un lock! I took the door panel off and looked around while locking and un locking the door from the inside and every thing looks good. I WD40ed the mechanism and worked it from the inside a few more times to work it in. I then put the key in the door and it locks perfectly but as for un locking, forget about it.It doesn't seem to be as fred flintstone as I thought, is that the actuator or some thing that moves the linkage, it seems to be electrically moved.
I don't know!!!!!!!!1