Driver’s side door – wont unlock – help me diagnose the problem please!

[mace4runner]

Driver’s side door – wont unlock – help me diagnose the problem please!
I have been reading through threads here, searching for the same issue – and wondering if my actuator has failed, or if it something to do with the lock cylinder.

Last week when using the key fob – all doors would lock or unlock EXCEPT the driver’s door. Fine… I just stick the key in the door and was able to lock or unlock. Fast forward to this morning when I go to unlock my car manually…. The key won’t turn. It actually tuns to LOCK all the doors – but wont unlock them. physically can’t turn the key - so I go jump in the passenger side – and climb over and try to unlock it from the inside…. No dice. The door lock won’t budge. So my driver’s side door is completely stuck locked.

How can I go about fixing this? The dealer said it could be the lock cylinder – or it could be the actuator – they won’t know until I drop my car off for a couple days – and who knows the cost.

The dealership suggested spraying some PB blaster or similar on the key – and in the lock cylinder – though from reading some of the post on here – that might just make things worse? I also have powered graphite I could try –
Thoughts? What the issue is? How to fix etc?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Wait, so let me get this straight. You tried to unlock the car from inside and the door still wouldn't budge?

The key not turning well in the cylinder could be either the key and/or cylinder, usually I have a cheap steel VIN Cut key made to rule worn key out.

But you should be able to unlock the driver's door from inside assuming everything was still working properly.

 

[madeinhb]

This happened to me. The ball that attaches to the locking switch came off inside the door. Wouldn't lock or unlock. Had to take door panel off and reattach. My actuator has gone out so mine only unlocked manually. Need to buy a new actuator from rock auto.

 

[Agriess]

Same problem but rear door

I'm actually having this issue with the rear door drivers side same situation being that the door won't open from either side, wondering how we can take the door of if we can't even get the inside panel off.