Liusan

I have a 2-door 2003 Civic. The driver's side stopped unlocking when when using the remote years ago, but I was still able to unlock it with my key. In the last few months this same lock has stopped accepting my key about 75% of the time. Someone probably tried to pick it or something.

My question is, which parts should I buy in order to fix these two problems? Do I need both a lock assembly and actuator, or something else?

Will I need to replace all my locks (both doors, trunk, and valet lock), or can I order a new lock that works with my current key and remote?

Thanks!

ezone

You have a sidewinder type key, right?
The lock cylinder either needs fresh tumblers, or a "barrel" and fresh tumblers.
The bad one can be "rebuilt", no reason to replace a set.

Dealer is probably the only place that has the tumblers for sidewinder locks. I know none of the lock shops here have them. Dealer SHOULD have a kit of tumblers and a few of the barrels.

Always cheaper if you take it out of the door DIY and carry it in to have them do the tumblers. Save labor $$.

Call and ask.
If one dealer doesn't know anything about it, call a different dealer.

Also know that the people you talk to on the phones may not have any clues at all, parts OR service.
The techs are the ones that should know about it since they do the work.

I know these things because I'm the only one that does the sidewinder locks at my dealer.


If they stare at you like you have three heads, show them this bulletin: http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/files/tsb/a03-068.pdf

Liusan

Thanks very much ezone. I'll ask about the tumblers and refer to the bulletin. Do you have advice on fixing the other problem of my driver's side lock not unlocking when using the remote?

ezone

Don't bring up the bulletin unless they just have no clue that this is possible, and think you don't know what you are talking about.



Do ANY of the power locks work?

If you manually work the lock on the drivers door, then use the remote: Do the rest of the doors lock or unlock? (I mean does the remote work at all?)

Either the remote and/or power lock controls are at fault, or a power lock actuator is at fault.
Several different possible areas and parts, I don't have enough info about what DOES or DOESN'T work to give an educated guess.
I don't know what the car is equipped with either (DX/LX/EX/etc., USA or Canada, factory remotes or dealer accessory remotes, security system, etc.)

Liusan

The remote only works to unlock the passenger side. It doesn't lock the passenger side, and I think the driver's side won't lock or unlock using the remote.

ezone

This is why I mentioned about working the drivers side manually.





All doors should work the power locks at the same time when using the switch on the door panel. Do they work properly this way?



When using the remote: If the controller can't see that the drivers lock moved to unlock, it won't try to unlock the other doors. Drivers door must move to unlock position first.

It SHOULD attempt to lock all the doors at the same time.
But it CANNOT lock the doors if it thinks one is still open.

I would probably do the testing at the actuator connectors inside the doors.
See if the controller is doing what it is supposed to.

Liusan

Yes, the manual power lock works on both doors.

The driver's side is in the unlock position all the time, and won't lock using the remote. It only locks when manually locked from inside.

This is a problem, because when I exit the car then my driver's side door is always unlocked. I can't lock the door manually as I exit the car because then my alarm goes off.

So it sounds like I need to (1) get new tumblers for my other problem, and (2) get my actuator and controller looked at?

ezone

You may very well be looking at a multiplex control unit (the complete underdash fusebox).