Intrepid Power door lock grinding

Have a 2000 Intrepid ES with driver's side power door lock emitting a
buzzing/grinding noise every time it's unlocked. Googlegroups search shows a
few people with similar problems solved by new solenoid or "the power lock
actuator is part of the latch and the gears strip out. fix is new latch"

Looking at the manual, it seems a pretty safe bet that the door lock
motor/latch is the part to buy. Planning on picking one up before going into
the door, anything else I should get, like panel clips? Manual says they can
be reused up to 3 times, but I see references in googlegroups to get new
ones. Also have a trim tool, looks like a screwdriver with a 1/2 flat bent
tip with a V slot in the middle. Is this tool the correct one?

Thanks for any insights!

Paul

 

Does it still work? I have had it happen a few times in cold weather
then it goes away for a year.

 

Never mind the fact that something like this is happening on a car less than
4 years old. Same thing has happened to the front passenger door on my '99
Intrepid when locking. Sounded like I was running over a cat everytime the
door locked. I just pulled the panel off and temporarily snipped the orange
wire. Very seldomly is that door unlocked so it doesn't bother me. Why
didn't I just take it to the dealers for repair, you ask? My so-called
"extended warranty" runs out August 2004 and you can betch I am going to
have a long list of repairs to be made just before it does. At $100
deductible per visit, I can wait. Still a joke that the parts are failing
this soon. My last Chrysler product, that's for sure.

 

Art, it began in cold weather just as you say. IT still works, but it's
progressed to where every time it's unlocked I hear it.

 

Agree with you there. This car has been in and out of the shop since new.
Washer pump motor went out right after warrantee expired, followed by some
speed sensor in the tranny, forget which, now this. We have it paid off, and
if it weren't for plans to stay note free for a while, we would dump it.
Still, I can live with the factory manual and a $50 part every 3-4 months.

 

I have it very ocassionally in cold weather.

Sorry you have problems with your Chrysler. I have a 99 300M and a
2001 Toyota Avalon. Both my wife and I prefer the Chrysler. The
Avalon is a rattle box.

 

Latch lock mechanism runs ~ $85.

 

$50-60 at several on-line sources such as www.mechanicsvilledodge.com.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Appreciate the info, is the online stores selling genuine mopar parts?

Thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Putney" <>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.Chrysler
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: Intrepid Power door lock grinding

 

Yes - the ones I'm suggesting are extensions of the local
brick-and-mortar parts departments of Chrysler dealers. You inquire
about a part in their regular parts department as a local dumb car
owner, and you get "me too" pricing, but if you approach them as an
internet shopper (in which case you typically get turned over to a
separate "internet sales" department), you get very good price breaks.

A part like the door latch is not available in the aftermarket (other
than salvage yards of course) AFAIK.

BTW, another "internet OEM parts" source that I see good things about on
various Chrysler forums (and the parts I've price on their site look to
be about the best around, though I have not bought from them yet) is
http://www.tenaflyjeepmoparparts.com

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

My experience buying from them was excellent: good prices, parts
arrrived quickly. they also have a very well organized on-line catalog.

 

Just wanted to jump in here and advise that I am having the same
problem with a 2000 Concorde except that 3 out of four of the lock
solenoids have failed now. Wish the car didn't look so good, that is
what hooked me. Between some quality issues and major problem with
road noise, this is my 4th and last Chrysler.

 

I have to agree. Had a 93 Intrepid, piece of junk. Stupid me bought a 99
when they came out. Look and fit is better, but the quality of the parts is
still lacking. Things are failing one by one and the car is not even 5 years
old yet. I will not buy another Chrysler product. Don't now what's worse,
the shoddy parts or Chryslers refusal to own up to it.