tried to get into my fd tonight and the drivers side key hole doesn't want to unlock the car, turning the barrel to lock it works fine but turning to unlock seems to have no resistance, took the handle off and the lever seems to move fine if I pull it up and down to unlock and lock, any ideas? i wd40'd the **** out the back of the handle and cleared up dirt but didn't help either, Thankfully the passenger side lock works so I got in, with the battery plugged back on the central locking unlocks it but if my battery dies it'll cause a problem, any ideas why its doing this? Its a 1994 fd3s jap import so rhd thanks

 

Might be something is bent or not in its place (springs etc). Think most people just replace the handle assembly if it's something that cant be fixed easily. Pretty sure you can find lots of info on this topic by searching the forum.

 

I've had a search can't really see anything similar the rods move freely it seems to be the barrel but it locks just won't unlock as it seems to move freely rather than have some force if that makes sense

 

Sounds like the lock cylinder to me. The door handle only operates the bigger rod, whereas the lock cylinder only operates the small rod. The lock cylinder is replaceable. They're fairly easy to take apart and play with if you want to try. Just do it on a table so you don't lose some of the little pieces.

Disconnect the small rod from the lock cylinder arm and hold the arm with your fingers. Try turning the lock cylinder and it should move the arm appropriately. If it doesn't move it in one direction, grab a new cylinder.

Matt

 

Ok cool will try that on the weekend fingers crossed, if the arm moves and it's not the cylinder what else could it be?

 

I replaced the latch assembly on mine because when my car would get hot (like AZ summer heat, no shade hot) the cable would expand and bind in its sleeve and I wasn't able to unlock my door. If your cables are binding or the rods are bent out of shape, those could be the issue.

Matt