ATL: Drivers side door auto lock not working...
Ask The Locksmith Question:Could you please give me a quote to repair a drivers side door auto lock? Not sure what's wrong, all other locks are fine...drivers side just stopped working. Took it to dealer and they said something was stuck in it, they wanted $200 to replace. What is your price?
Hi there...
That, unfortunately, is an almost impossible question to answer without knowing the year, make, and model of the vehicle in question, and even then, usually without seeing it.
There are a couple of possibilities...
You may very well have something stuck in it. If so, a locksmith may be able to extract whatever it is without needing to replace the lock itself. This is usually how it turns out. Dealers aren't locksmiths, and have no real interest in "fixing" it per se, when they could replace it instead. Full service locksmiths on the other hand, carry a variety of extraction tools on all trucks, as this is a common place issue.
If whatever is stuck is glued, or has otherwise damaged the lock assembly itself, then, and only then, would you need the lock replaced. For your own knowledge, and to come from a position of strength when relating to dealers, there is no way of knowing if the lock assembly is damaged beyond repair without a) extracting what is stuck, and b) testing it with the key. If this does not result in the key turning, then c) and/or removing the lock from the door and inspecting/testing the lock mechanism itself (i/e/ sticking the key in and seeing if it moves. :) ). Don't let a dealer tell you otherwise.
Since the car is in working order, just irritating, the least expensive option for you would be drive the car into the nearest licensed locksmith shop, and ask a locksmith to have look inside the lock for you. If they're reputable, they should have no issue with looking and telling you whether it looks like it can be extracted or not. Again, the same basic rule applies. No one, dealers or locksmiths, can tell you if the lock needs to be replaced until whatever it is has been extracted, and tested with the key, and if that doesn't work, by removing the lock itself and inspecting the assembly.
We run a mobile service only at this time. Depending on what part of town you're in, I can recommend a licensed locksmith with a physical shop location near(ish) you. For a frame of reference, our current rates for a service call for extraction are as follows: $45.00 for the service call, $15.00 to extract whatever is in the lock if possible. If the lock itself has to be removed to test it, there is an additional $45.00 charge. The alternate scenario: If the lock is irreparable, and has to be replaced, and we carry the pinning kit for it (not all locks can be re-pinned by locksmiths, nor do all locksmiths carry all possible pinning kits - Ask before you call out a mobile service if they can install AND re-pin a new lock to match your current keys), it reverts to the service call only, plus the cost of the part (varies based on make, model, and year), plus the cost of installing the lock, and re-pinning to match (varies based on make, model, and year).
Regardless of the way you choose to go, locksmiths on average (not always, but on average), charge less than dealers for the same parts, and the same quality work.
When calling around for prices, make sure you find a locksmith that is currently licensed in good standing to do your work for you - NOT a contractors license, a locksmith license. California requires one by law. A Contractors license is an adjunct to (required for jobs that bill over $500), NOT a replacement for, a locksmith license. Locksmiths are required by state law to post their license number on all advertising, invoices, etc. They are also required by law to give you the number if you ask for it. If you would rather find a physical shop near you on your own, there is a link on the front page of our website that you can use on your own to verify the above state required locksmith licenses and standing. (*Each instance of the word "license" in this blog post version of this answer is also linked to the state verification site. :)
I hope this helps somewhat.
Cheers!
Kim
We're not your normal locksmith company™... :)
