I just picked up this rx7 about a week ago, and the previous owner has proven useless with everything I've found wrong with it, so I come to you guys!

My driver door doesn't lock. The lock (with a lot of force) goes about halfway down, then doesn't budge and springs back upward to the 'unlocked position' upon letting go.

When locking from the outside, the same thing happens. I turn my key (forcefully) and although the key turns all the way, the lock goes about halfway down and the door doesn't lock when i remove the key

When the car has a key in it, a cyborg-ish 'bleep' comes from the center console near the "security light" when I make an attempt to lock the driver door

I noticed my car has a sticker on the windshield for "Clifford: The Ultimate in Auto Security" so I'm thinking it's related to an aftermarket security system.

I got no manual/paperwork with the car and no fob. I've asked a couple other auto forums but i'm always being referred here, so hopefully you guys can help!

Also, my passenger door locks fine.

Thanks!!

 

You'll have to pull the drivers side door panel to check for the lock mechanism and rods binding, or a shoddy aftermarket lock solenoid bottoming out at full travel.

 

ohai br/o/

goodluck

 

Do you hold the inside door handle open while pushing the lock down?

 

Did the flap door on the lock where the key goes in break off and fall into the lock cylinder?

 

no

pulling the inside door handle didn't help

and i really would rather not take off my door panel.

the beep that ONLY goes off when I try to lock the door, i'd think means that there is nothing wrong with the locking mechanism, unless the car just makes that noise when the driver door is locked and it thinks it's locking.

I'm going to call Clifford Security tomorrow and see if this is something they've heard of.

 

There is no other way around, it's like saying I need to change my oil, but rather not remove the drain plug.



Sound like a mechanical issue, the call will most likely result in they being stumped and referring you to a alarm install shop. Or if they are nice, telling you to remove your door panel.

 

because of the fact that i CAN press it all the way down, but it springs back up, and the fact that the key turns all the way - paired with the beep and the aftermarket security system, i'm 70% sure it's an electrical problem.

the resistance could be described as trying to lock a car with power locks with the unlock feature engaged non-stop.

 

There should be a actuator on the driver's door if they installed the alarm. Unless you have the key fob for the alarm there is no real way of testing to see if it's working properly and just locking you out since it's not getting armed with the fob.

If the alarm was removed and they left the actuator, removing the door panel and removing the actuator will be your next step.

One requires a alarm remote, and if the actuator is bad/not functioning properly, removing the door panel.

Second one requires removing the door panel.

 

I had this happen to me before. I took off the door panel, unlatched the plastic clip that holds the rod to the lock button, pushed the rod into the lock position, pressed the lock button into the lock position, then clipped the rod back onto the plastic latch & installed the panel. Fixed my problem & hasn't happened since.

 

just take off the door panel..... rx7s are great cars to learn how to fix ****.

 

i have a tendency to take shortcuts putting things back together, i don't really trust myself with any sort of dissassembly. Is there any way of identifying my alarm system to buy the proper remote?

if not, i'll just fukit and remove the actuator.

thanks guys

 

door panel needs to come off, you asked for help, almost everfyone has said the same thing, and you refuse to even TRY messing with it? there are like 3 or 4 bolts (depends on manual or power windows) a few screws and the snaps, oh and you have to 'carefully' pry off the plastic triangle covering the side mirror bolts.................should take 5 minutes or less to take the panel off if you have any mechanical know-how

 

Wouldn't be able to help you. Only thing I can think of is finding the alarm brain wherever they hid it. You may end up spending more $$$ trying to take the "easy way" out and finding out it's a lock mechanism that's not working properly, than just removing the door panel and taking a look.

 

of course the remote would cost more $$$, removing a door panel and a lock actuator is free haha.

i'll get in there tomorrow and see what the deal is. keep your pants on people, i know removing a door panel isn't hard.

 

Sounds like the actuating rods are bending; they're just pieces of thick gauge steel wire, really. You could be trying to force a lock with a mechnical problem, and as you push harder, you're just making the rod bend and deflect.