Recently I have been experiencing problems with the manual locks on my 97 Sunfire. Whenever I go to open the door, my key will not turn to unlock the door sometimes. This happens on both doors and the trunk lock. I hardly ever had issues with my driver door until recently. The passanger side and trunk seemed weird since I bought the car about a year ago. Also, it seems these problems are more prevalent during cold temperatures.

Anyone have any ideas? My key turns the car on just fine, although I was thinking maybe my key is worn, thus causing these problems. That is just a wild guess though. It is my only key too.

Thanks in advance!


1997 Pontiac Sunfire

98 z24 i never use my locks only the remote and now i can only open the assenger door nothing else. use some lock lubricate or something wd40 but yeah it happens the same to me lack of use i guess

its because your key is worn from the ignition (probably a heavy key chain) and the key no longer matches the unused door locks, the ignition still works as it was worn with the key

Hmm! My keys don't have anything heavy attached to them. I am going to try both those ideas. I need a extra key anyway and I had already planned on trying some type of lock lubricant.

Anyone else?


1997 Pontiac Sunfire

Both of my locks will not turn and my trunk also. I have a 97 Z. I can fit the key in but it will not turn. I actually bent 2 keys trying to turn them. I used to only use the keyless entry, but it stopped working so I have been using the keys for many months now. I had to have someone open the lock from the inside with a slimjim. Now I can't lock the doors because I have no way to get back in. Any idea on why the keyless would just stop working? My car has rims and is lowered and I am sure it attracts some attention so I would rather be able to lock my doors.


Sold the Z24

bring your car to a garage and ask them to check out your keyless entry, it could be a lot of things wrong, and its hard to guess, also try getting a new key made, even tho yours might be worn, a new one might work, it did for me

midnightrun wrote: Also, it seems these problems are more prevalent during cold temperatures.

This happened to me when I had my Lumina and to my Dad's older Caddy, I think it had to do with the temp. As this only occurred in the winter. Once I had to let my car sit and thaw, that really sucked. I would try some lock de-icer or something that could warm up the lock mech.

Hope this helps,
Peace Out!