97: Sticking door locks

[Catera Penguin]

On my 97, if the door is locked and you pull on the door handle, it jams on the inside. If you try to pull up on the lock and it only goes up about half-way. After performing several "up-down" on the lock, it will go up fully.

I've taken it the dealership before and all they did was spray lubricant in there. But that doesn't help.

I'm getting ready to take the door panel off and see if I can figure out what the problem is. But I wanted to see if anyone else has had this happen to them.

Thanks!

[saco]

I have the same problem with my 97.

[valle1018]

I have the same problem w/ front passenger door.
Anyone have suggestions as to how to fix this problem?

[lpowell]

Same problem with drivers door, had lock actuator replaced twice before it was fixed.

[WEB]

When my 98 was under warranty the door locks squeaked during the change of seasons and stuck frequently during the winter & the dealer said it was a design flaw that could not be repaired. Something about rubber boots to seal out moisture, but over time sealed it in too, which was worse.

[Ls1 Catera project]

hello
Welcome to Catera lock problem 101 lol

LOL u sad mechanics put lubricant into it What is it some old monster to lubricate its door locks? It had nothing to do with lubrication but actual mechanical parts inside the door what making door handle not open.The sadest thing is why so lil % of mechanics understand Cateras. Happend to me so many times. After all I ended up trusting only few that looked like knew what they where doing. In a way it makes sence because its such a unique car.


wow it looks like all catera owners have same problems.
Same thing happend to me before then mechanics pulled door handle too hard. All you have to do is remove all the screws around the door first, then pop careffuly door handle inside interior their be one screw in their 2, then as I remember u need to remove the door lock thingy that goes up and down it has orange type of button u will see, I hope did not forget anything. See what u need to do is remove the panel only so much that you can put your hand at left side one of the metal door cut outs. What you looking in their is the type of metal rod that has plastic type of Tnut well u have to force it into its fitting that is located below it in its cup. What happens in older cateras once u pull door handle too ruff or hard the rod with tnut comes out its lines on the cup. Ohh only last not least make sure u adjust t nut by losing it up not to much just little bit so what happend will be prevented better.

Good luck and I hope some of this info helped. Also important leave your window down so you not locked out it is a very frustrating process to do so anything car happen.
good luck.