Explorer Door lock problem

hey, I have a 99 explorer and my driver side lock will only lock manually, using key or pushing it in. It unlocks fine using remote or keypad. I hear it make a sound, but it does not go down to lock. My mechanic wants to change the actuator, but if this is the problem then why is it unlocking fine?
Thanks, MJ

No, its not more trouble than its worth. When you next take it into the shop
for another repair, if they are like my dealership here in Raleigh, they
will spring the actuator off the mechanism forcing it with the key and then
give it back to you broken. So you are going to fix it anyway!

Take the inside door panel off. Poppers at the bottom, lift it at the top.
With the window up, remove the plastic sheet if fitted and then unscrew the
single bolt that holds the window rail in place. This now gives access to
the lock innards.
There is a rod linking the lock mechanism with the solenoid actuator.Its
threaded or appears that way. It is held in place by a yellow plastic clip
that can be sprung open with care. Move this clip up or down the threaded
section of the rod until it opens correctly. It would help if you had
someone outside helping you with trying the door opening. Keep adjusting it
until it works how you want it.
Reassembly is easy and the reverse of disassembly. There is nothing you can
break, or at least nothing I have found yet having had this apart several
times.

Other things to look for.
Check the springs on the door handle itself. These can break!

Let us know what you find out.

Jethro

1998 XLT 126,000 miles
1994 Econoline
1994 Ranger
Ex-1991 Eddie B.

i have a 2001 ford explorer sport. When the door locks, the automatic lock button will not unlock it.You have to yank the handle several times before it will unlock/open. Both doors are now doing it. What could be causing this proble?

I think I'm having the same problem with my 2000 ford explorer. with my hand inside the door, when I lift the rod attached to the exterior handle, power locks work fine, as do the key but without lifting the rod the plastic part with the rod to the key housing catches on the the yellow clip, therefor popping the rod that connects to the actuator rod out of the key clip. is the rod attached to the exterior handle supposed to be loose? I can't find an exploded view anywhere.

...
work fine. I was thinking of removing the door panel and monkeying around
with it. Has anyone done this and if so, what should I be looking to do?
Is this more trouble than it's worth?

Does the key turn and not move the mechanism or is the key hard to turn.
I had the hard to turn problem and fixed it with a shot of graphite.

Charlie