ranger door locks

[1998 2.5 5 speed]

Has anyone had problems or failure of the locks in late 90s rangers? I have a 1998 regular cab 2.5 4cyl 5 speed 2wd ranger. i can lock the doors on the truck if i plan on having to break into my own truck later on. they lock but you CANNOT unlock the doors with key! stick the key in and you cant turn it. both sides you cannot unlock the doors with the key. has anyone had this problem? any suggestions?

 

[oddball101]

Yessir, this is actually a little more common than one might think. If your problem isn't truly mechanical and instead is like mine was, then consider this.. The locking mechs on my truck were both locked up which I found out after my keyless entry pad failed. Tried to use the key and it just sounded all jarbled when trying to turn. I used WD-40 to get the lock to release by sticking the tiny red straw in beside my key and gave it a good solid hose down while turning the key at the same time. After a couple of tries it released and performed like new. This is a good quick fix but WD-40 has a way of attracting more dirt and can make the problem come back. After a couple of weeks, I'd recomend using graphite grease to keep it a more long term fix. Just put the nose of the tube in the key hole and give it a squeeze, turn the key a few times and you should be good.. That is IF it is only dirt clogging the mechanisms.

I was prepared to rekey the whole truck, and plotting revenge for the guy who sold the truck to me. He said he never used the locks, so on a last ditch effort I tried this and it worked. I hope it works for you.