Key Won't Open Door

[adbaker]

2004 Silverado Ext Z71 5.3l

 

So i drove to work this morning, got out, tried the keyfob and it was dead, and my second keyfob was at home. I tried the key in the door and it wouldn't budge. I ended up leaving the truck unlocked all day after packing anything valuable into work with me. When i got home, i tried my second keyfob and it worked fine. I pulled the battery in the dead one and checked it with a meter and it read 2.4 volts. Its only two weeks old but i guess i got a dud. Anyways my question is about the key not working in the door lock. It won't turn. I don't think i've ever used the key so i can't say if its ever worked. I sprayed a ton of wd-40 inside the keyhole, took off the door panel, as well as the plug at the side of the door, and sprayed everywhere else that i could think of. Still won't budge.

 

1. How do i get inside to where the back of the lock is, or down to where the rod "actuates" the lock mechanism?

2. How can i tell if my key is an original gm key, or one that someone had made that works in the ignition but doesn't in the lock. (the key does work to unlock the spare tire)

 

thanks for the help

 

Adam

[jro909]

your cylinder might be seized, is it cold there? if so it may be frozen..have had that issue alot

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

If it's not frozen up somthing inside might have come apart. To get to the cylinder you need to remove the door panel, then remove the door handle from the truck.

[hockeypro1411]

Mine doesn't work in the driver's side either, and I know it's a genuine GM key. Something in the cylinder just isn't lining up right because if I wiggle it around, it'll unlock sometimes.

[adbaker]

Thanks for the quick responses, been out grabbing a new battery and a few other items. Good news is the keyfob works after swapping a battery again, guess i really did get a dud the first time out. An update on the lock and key problem, i can swivel the key a bit maybe 1/8 of inch each way, but no further. Its in my shop now, so if its ice then it will be thawed by morning. I'll pull the door panel again this weekend and get the lock cylinder out, see if anything has broken. I tried to follow the linkage rod down from the lock to wherever it goes but it ends up hidden behind some sheet metal. I'll take a better look this weekend.

thanks for the help, i'll update what i find.

 

Ad

[u118224]

The locks are seized because they're seldon/never used. Spray them with WD-40 or equivalent and they'll free up. You don't need to remove them.

[Stevens03]

I had the exact same issue one time. Lack of use causes them to "seize" up. Some WD-40 or similar product will fix them, but I can tell you it does take a little time to work. Just don't bend the key while trying. Just spray and let sit for a few minutes, then start working the key back and forth. Might take more than once.

[adbaker]

I soaked it last night, wiggled the key for a while, soaked it again, then tried it this morning and still couldn't budge it. I'll keep trying but if i have the time this weekend, i'll probably pull the panel and make sure everything is attached as it should be.

 

Thanks again

 

Ad

[renegadeking]

i know this will sound stupid. but if you have chrome or door handle covers take them off and see if that will work. because me and two other friends have 2001 -2002 trucks and all the door locks don't work except the passenger (only on the rare occasion.) one of the friends took off the chrome door handle protector off and now his door locks work. i never tried yet. it makes sense - the key doesn't fully get into the lock and, resulting in the locking pins causing the key not to work.

i also soaked every lock will WD-40 and stuff for locks and nothing worked

[team3-8]

I had the exact same issue one time. Lack of use causes them to "seize" up. Some WD-40 or similar product will fix them, but I can tell you it does take a little time to work. Just don't bend the key while trying. Just spray and let sit for a few minutes, then start working the key back and forth. Might take more than once.

I had this same problem from lack of use. The WD-40 a couple times worked for me too.

[adbaker]

Thanks for the suggestion renegadeking, checked it and the key goes in all the way without hitting bezel. Thought i'd give the lock another good spray this morning and while i was waiting i started popping off the plastic mouldings around the inside lock and the inside handle. I was about to start pulling the screws to remove the door panel and thought i may as well try it one more time. Popped the key in and it turned... surprised the crap out of me! So thanks for all the replies, especially those that said keep pouring in the wd-40. Now have to go and clean up the half can of wd-40 that leaked out the lock and all down the side of the truck. In case this comes up again for someone else, everytime i sprayed into the lock, i also pulled the plastic plug on the doors edge and sprayed everything i could see there too.

 

Ad

[oldmann]

Love it when that happens!

[Mandy Sylvain]

Omg I know this post is old but thanks so much. I never post on stuff like this but I had to make an account because I'm going to try this on my husbands truck it's having the exact same problem and we had to call the lock smith because it was locked and we didn't have access to the battery to charge it and the key won't unlock it. I'm excited I hope it works lol thanks!

[blaboffa]

In regard to the drivers door not unlocking I have the chrome around the door handle. Rather than taking off the chrome just grind the underside of the key ( plastic part ) where it hits the chrome and it'll allow the key to insert further into the lock and it'll open. Worked great. Good luck

[Marty77777]

Even when new my 2013 silverado's key wouldn't lock or unlock the door! The key simply spins left and right with no friction or anything happening! It's like the key assembly isn't connected to anything. The electric fobs work fine! What's the fix??

Edited August 13, 2022 by Marty77777
spelling error