A suddenly open door while driving is always a pain in the neck. Sometimes it’s the door latch itself, while other times, it’s simply cold weather that’s causing the issue. Whatever you try, the door lock won’t latch on you.
Door latch problem may include doors not shutting, especially in low temperatures. Sometimes, the door doesn’t lock from the outside, closing becomes difficult, and occasionally it won’t open with the key. You may also experience water leaks into the truck, or the alarm may shut down.
Hold on a minute. Don’t go rushing to a mechanic just yet. Today, you will get an easy DIY solution for the Ford F150 door not latching and how to replace it if needed
7 most common Ford F150 Door Latch Problems – at a glance
A broken latch on a door panel isn’t actually pretty. Starting from a hard-to-open door to a stuck one completely. Anything can happen. Here are all the Ford F150 problems you will face:
| Problems | Possible solutions |
|---|---|
| Door doesn’t open when the temperature is low | 1. Use a hair dryer or a heat gun 2. Apply some WD-40 on the latch mechanism |
| Doesn’t open from the inside or outside | 1. Fix any wiring issue 2. Replace the actuator 3. Use some WD-40 4. Replace the broken latch |
| Difficulty closing | 1. Use some WD-40 or any other lubricant 2. Fix any wiring issue 3. Clean any dirt and debris 4. Replace the latch if needed |
| Doesn’t open without key | 1. Fix the fuse 2. Repair any wiring issue 3. Replace the actuator |
| Stuck in the open or closed position | 1. Clean the latch 2. Use some lubricant 3. Replace the latch |
| The alarm system may go off | Fix any loose or broken wires |
| Water could leak inside | 1. Fix any striker alignment problem 2. Remove any obstruction, dirt or debris from closing way |
#1- Door doesn’t open when the temperature is low
Cold weather can make the Ford F150 door latch components contract and become less flexible. As a result, the lock won’t latch properly.
To fix this, you can try using a hairdryer or a heat gun to heat up the door latch. You can also give the latch some WD-40 to lubricate the door latch and make it easier to open.
#2- Doesn’t open from the inside or outside
Sometimes, there are broken wires that connect the door lock actuator to the main computer. It is also possible that the latch isn’t properly aligned with the lock. On the other hand, the trick seal may get in the way of the latch, or it may be dirt and debris.
#3- Difficulty closing
Here, you will definitely find a broken actuator. The actuator wirings or the motor may be broken or jammed. If you want to fix it, go to the Ford F150 door lock actuator problems and solutions.
#4- Doesn’t open without a key
It’s clearly a lubrication problem. Turns out, the door actuator is jammed due to a long time of no lubrication. A broken fuse or actuator can also be the culprit. Who knows? If the lubrication doesn’t fix the problem, get a fuse repair or the actuator change.
#5- Stuck in the open or closed position
If your door lock is stuck in the open or closed position, it’s probably because the internal mechanisms are jammed. Lack of lubrication, dirt, or debris is what is causing it. Try cleaning the door latch and cleaning all the adjacent parts as well.
#6- The alarm system may go off
The alarm system wiring, and the wiring of the actuator goes through the same socket. If the socket wiring connection is interrupted, the alarm system may turn off as well. So, get that fixed.
#7- Water could leak inside
Having trouble with water leaking inside your truck? You fixed the truck, but still down on your luck? Get the misaligned door latch fixed. You will see the door lock isn’t latching correctly, thus creating a gap in the trim seals.
How do i Fix Door Latch Problem on Ford F150?
Before you dive into how to fix a f150 door won’t latch, first you need to know what causes these problems. Here is a list of all the reasons for a door latch problem in an F150.
- Broken Actuator Part
- Loosen Wires
- Trapped dirt and debris
- Door alignment problems
- Not Enough Lubrication (Mistry Jam)
- Cold Weather
Now, let’s see how you can fix a Ford F150 Door latch problem:
Inspect For Any Damage Or Debris
Inspect the door latch for any damage or debris. If you see anything that looks out of place, take a picture of it for reference and then proceed to the next step.
Give It A Good Clean
Clean out the door latch with a can of compressed air. Make sure to get all of the dirt and grime out from around the mechanism.
Lubricate The Door Latch
Lubricate the door latch with WD-40 or another similar lubricant. This will help keep it moving smoothly and prevent rusting over time.
Remove The Door Latch Assembly And Lubricate
Now, remove the latch assembly by unscrewing it from the door. Check for any broken or misaligned parts. Try fixing or replacing the latch mechanism. Afterward, reinstall it.
Run The Fitness Test
Once the door latch is in place, test it out to make sure it is working properly. If the door latch is still not working, you may need to adjust the strike plate or get a new door lock latch.
Read also >> 6 Common Problems With Ford F150 Power Steering Pump (With Solutions)
How To Replace A Ford F150 Door Latch?
To start the opening process, you need to go inside the latch itself. Though in most F150 trucks there are push clips that lock the door in, the modern version of the Ford F150 has little hooks that go down. Regular wanking won’t work.
Other than this, the steps are pretty similar to any regular truck door latch removal. Here are the steps for the rest of the way:
- Start by removing the old door latch. This can be done with a screwdriver or drill. Be careful not to damage the surrounding area as you remove the old latch.
- Once the old door latch is removed, take off the strike plate on the frame of the door (this is what catches and holds the bolt when you close your doors).
- Install the new door latch in the same spot as the old one. Make sure it is level and secure before moving on.
- Attach the strike plate to the door frame. Again, make sure it is level and secure.
- Test the new door latch to make sure it is working properly.
- If everything is working properly, put the door panel back on (if you have one) and screw it into place.
Pro-tip >> Go through this video to replace the latch of a Ford F150:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Ford F150 Door Latch?
To replace a Ford F150 door latch, you will need about $150 to $200 max. However, the price may reach $300 depending on the mechanic cost.
Why won’t a Ford F150 lock latch when frozen?
The Ford F150 lock latch has moving parts that contract and gets jammed when the temperature reaches freezing. Get a hair dryer to loosen things up. Plus, using some lubrication like WD-40 will break the linkage jams and fix the lock latch.
Where To Find The Door Code On A Ford F150?
The door code location on a Ford F150 depends on the date of the truck. However, in most cases, you can find it in the owner’s manual. You can also try hooking up a computer to find out the door code on any Ford F150. On the latest F150s, you can find the door lock code behind the kick plate beside the front door on the driver’s side.
End Note
Hopefully after today, all your Ford F150 door latch problems will magically disappear. Usually, it’s the low lubrication or a loose door lock actuator cable. A few fixes to the cables and wiring should do the trick.
Then again, if your problem hits up every time while driving, you need to crack open the panel and get the latch checked, cleaned, or simply replaced.
Hope this helps you resolve your truck’s door latch. Drive safe!
