2001 Jeep Cherokee driver side door lock not working.

Question

1997-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ

The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) is a compact SUV that was manufactured and marketed by Jeep from 1997 to 2001. Sharing the name of the original full-size SJ model, but without a traditional body-on-frame chassis, the XJ instead featured a light-weight unibody design.

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Joe Pennell @joepennell

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Nhl 2, 2015

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2001 Jeep Cherokee driver side door lock not working.

I recently repaired my speaker in the driver side front door of my 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport but when I put the inside panel back on the door lock won't work. The inside lock button is stuck in the on position (but the door is not locked) and will not move and the key lock will not lock the door. If I take the panel off and disconnect the cables to the lock, the lock works per using the cables and the key also works. Its like every time I put the inside panel back on something is out of line. I know I am connecting the cables correctly as it is impossible to get them backwards. The power lock locks the other doors but not this one although I hear it working. I really think this is mechanical, not electrical. I also don't believe the cables got bent as they are pretty heavy duty. I am wondering if something happened to the levers where the cable connects to door. I did the same thing to passenger door, while trying to fix that speaker, but everything went back together without a hitch.

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did you ever get this fixed? and how?

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 17, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 napelella crwdne2934271:0

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oldturkey03 @oldturkey03

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Nhl 2, 2015

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Joe Pennell, try to follow that attached power lock ==>>exj_8p.pdf<<== instructions. Let us know if this works out for you. If not, attach lots of images with your question so that we see what you see.

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First I want to thank you for your help. I have looked at the sheets but I am convinced that the issue is mechanical. I have the door panel off right now and the lock cable linkages disconnected. The lock/unlock works correctly whether by key, push/pulling the cables or the power lock button. It is when I put everything back together that the problem happens. The mechanical lock/unlock button gets stuck in the forward (lock) position and cannot be put in unlock, although the door is unlocked. Also though the key can be turned it does not lock the door and it resists turning. My thoughts are either the cables got bent , the door brackets are malfunctioning , or something is out of line at the lock mechanism itself which I reached and felt but cannot feel anything wrong but will try to get a better look. I have downloaded 3 pictures to the original question and they appear to be there through edit but I don't see how to access them from here.

Thanks again for any help.

crwdns2934271:0Nhl 3, 2015crwdnd2934271:0 Joe Pennell crwdne2934271:0

Joe Pennell use this guide Adding images to an existing question to add images to your question

crwdns2934271:0Nhl 3, 2015crwdnd2934271:0 oldturkey03 crwdne2934271:0

Thanks again. Did not understand that I had to click on the downloaded image to actually attach it to the question. I don't know if these images help but they show the parts I am talking about. I did look at the actual locking mechanism but do not see any apparent issues. The last is the door back together and the switch in the middle in locked position and it won't move much. The thing is the door is unlocked. You know this all worked before I started the speaker project. I also did pull out the switch block and re-soldered the window lock button so now all buttons seem to work. Took the other door apart and put it back together again with no issues. I am getting too old for Murphy's Law.

crwdns2934271:0Nhl 3, 2015crwdnd2934271:0 Joe Pennell crwdne2934271:0

Did you happen to figure out the issue? Replaced my speakers and have the same problem with both front doors.

crwdns2934271:0Mud 8, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Matt Peterson crwdne2934271:0

Your cables are bent...had this happen to me...straighten them out just a bit. No need to take the cables off just use your hands

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 22, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Tyler White crwdne2934271:0

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First I want to thank you for your help. I have looked at the sheets but I am convinced that the issue is mechanical. I have the door panel off right now and the lock cable linkages disconnected. The lock/unlock works correctly whether by key, push/pulling the cables or the power lock button. It is when I put everything back together that the problem happens. The mechanical lock/unlock button gets stuck in the forward (lock) position and cannot be put in unlock, although the door is unlocked. Also though the key can be turned it does not lock the door and it resists turning. My thoughts are either the cables got bent , the door brackets are malfunctioning , or something is out of line at the lock mechanism itself which I reached and felt but cannot feel anything wrong but will try to get a better look. I have downloaded 3 pictures to the original question and they appear to be there through edit but I don't see how to access them from here.

Thanks again for any help. — Joe Pennell
Joe Pennell use this guide Adding images to an existing question to add images to your question — oldturkey03
Thanks again. Did not understand that I had to click on the downloaded image to actually attach it to the question. I don't know if these images help but they show the parts I am talking about. I did look at the actual locking mechanism but do not see any apparent issues. The last is the door back together and the switch in the middle in locked position and it won't move much. The thing is the door is unlocked. You know this all worked before I started the speaker project. I also did pull out the switch block and re-soldered the window lock button so now all buttons seem to work. Took the other door apart and put it back together again with no issues. I am getting too old for Murphy's Law. — Joe Pennell
Did you happen to figure out the issue? Replaced my speakers and have the same problem with both front doors. — Matt Peterson
Your cables are bent...had this happen to me...straighten them out just a bit. No need to take the cables off just use your hands — Tyler White

Bojangles @wannabe crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1 · Answer 1 · 2017-10-29T16:49:14-07:00

Bojangles @wannabe

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Nhl 29, 2017

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I agree with Tyler White. I straightened the side of the rod closet to the door latch, thinking that it was probably bent slightly there due to the previous owner letting the panel hang by the rods unsupported. It took four or five slight tweaks to get it right. I could tell that it was working after the second one by mocking up the panel and toggling the lock switch manually. I've got a 1997 Jeep Cherokee country.

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Marina @offroadprincess crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1 · Answer 2 · 2018-07-12T18:08:21-07:00

Marina @offroadprincess

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Maw 12, 2018

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I had the same problem too. They are bent. I fixed my problem the first time and now I'm having that problem again but this time in not sure which way to bend the rod. My guess is bend them upward or more inward towards the door because when you take the door panel off its being pulled down a bit. I just haven't had the time to fix it again but that's my guess

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sbbaffc @sbbaffc crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1 · Answer 3 · 2018-07-15T00:16:41-07:00

sbbaffc @sbbaffc

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Maw 15, 2018

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I am the same problem but can't seem to get them bent back correctly. I know I bent them when i put in a new switch.

How can I order new rods? Any idea where to get them, or any idea on how it is suppose to look. I know I bent them bc I tried to switch the switch without taking the rods off

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Some plz help I have a 2008 jeep Cherokee my key will not unlock the driver side door

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 10, 2020crwdnd2934271:0 Amber'lee Tapia crwdne2934271:0

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kasplace @kasplace crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1 · Answer 4 · 2021-07-14T08:32:49-07:00

Hey thanks so much for the posted informatiom About the bent rods from the drivers side power door locks.

Here is my situation: Had the Jeep: 2001 Cherokee Sport, for a bit over 2 years only 80k and pretty nice, All though the dealer in CT (Farmington Auto Park) lied about the conditon of the vehicle and ALL the problems and under cariage rust. PLease note: the owner has a rap sheet, Stay away. Back to my story. The power windows went right away. So I removed the door panel , as well as the boot housing between the doors. I replaced the master switch ($20) no big deal, worh it to not have to fool around with circuits and such. Plus an easy swap out. Found some busted wires in the boot and slpiced rewired with butt connnectors. And while everything else worked. My power door lock driver’s side woul NOT lock! Even though I could hear the motor click. Went to a reputable shop, and they told me to replace the motor. So glad I found this site. Removed driver’s door panel (3rd time in 2 years) And bent the onerod upwards and toward’s the lock tab connector, Worked like a charm, Also if you are looking for it, you can see rod that it is bent out of shape. Two pliers did it for me, just go slow a little at a time, you may need a few tries. (I got it on second one) Thanks so much for the info guys!!

1997-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ

2001 Jeep Cherokee driver side door lock not working.

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