My first ranger 2002 had doorlock issues.. Some days id put the key in the lock and it wouldnt turn.. kinda like its the wrong key! id have to play around and after a few seconds would open.. both door locks would do it!

NOW on my 2006 ranger I notice the same thing.. anybody else have this issue??

Have you tried lubrucating the lock with powdered silicone?

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1993 2.3L 5 spd - ugly as can be and I love it. Bought used in 1995, sold to my Dad in 98, and home again in 2020. It had AC, and it still has cruise control!

On my 1998 Ranger, the driver side lock stopped working properly. Like yours, I'd lock it and then when I tried to unlock I'd have to fiddle with it for 5-6 mins and suddenly it would pop open. I couldn't rely on it being dependable and left it unlocked. When I stripped everything down to put in sound insulation, I revisited the lock issue. I applied enough WD40 into the cylinder and when I had the door panel out IO put in WD40 inside as well around, and that seems to have done the trick. The lock is working again. Will have to see how it works when the weather gets cold and see if it misbehaves again.
Give that a shot and see if that helps.

WD40 is not a good idea. When it dries it leaves a residue that gets sticky. You can use silicone spray or the powdered stuff. Those will not leave a residue.

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1993 2.3L 5 spd - ugly as can be and I love it. Bought used in 1995, sold to my Dad in 98, and home again in 2020. It had AC, and it still has cruise control!

oh yeah..when its cold out it gets worse!! ill try the silicone spray! but last time i sprayed it didnt help

I had a Merc Sable wagon and the door would open but not lock for 15-20 minutes until the interior warmed up. That was such a pain in the ass!! I would drive with one hand holding the door closed and the other on the wheel.

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1993 2.3L 5 spd - ugly as can be and I love it. Bought used in 1995, sold to my Dad in 98, and home again in 2020. It had AC, and it still has cruise control!

I sprayed it with special graphite spray i got form locksmith.. ill update in a bit


update: tonight i went out to open my truck and she wouldnt open again for a couple seconds.. turn left turn right like its the wrong key

2nd update, went to get into my truck after work today and took a good 10 seconds of figiting to get the key to work.. like its the wrong key! but bam suddenly turns.. my old ranger did the exact same issue

That is weird... Is it an original key or a duplicate? I have had issues with 3rd & 4th gen duplicates in the past.

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1993 2.3L 5 spd - ugly as can be and I love it. Bought used in 1995, sold to my Dad in 98, and home again in 2020. It had AC, and it still has cruise control!

original key! AGAIN this is my 2nd ranger 2006.. my first ranger was an 02 and had the EXACT same problem!! when the key does turn it sure is smooth now since I lubed the crap out of it! but when she dont want to turn its like its the wrong key!!!

PS: both doorlocks same issue, even with my spare key!

Door lock trouble

I have never heard of Triflo, but that seems to work for those guys. Thinking it though, it has to be a mechanical issue where a pin is getting stuck and not dropping like it should when you take the key out. Next time it acts up, try whacking the key hole with the side of your fist. The Triflo seems like it is cleaning gunk out of the cylinder and that's the magic fix. Curious to see what happens!

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1993 2.3L 5 spd - ugly as can be and I love it. Bought used in 1995, sold to my Dad in 98, and home again in 2020. It had AC, and it still has cruise control!

tried hitting it and still no go

I guess Triflo is the next thing to try?

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1993 2.3L 5 spd - ugly as can be and I love it. Bought used in 1995, sold to my Dad in 98, and home again in 2020. It had AC, and it still has cruise control!

ive tried many lubes and none fix it.. the only way i fixed it on my 02 was to swap out the lock cylinders and use 2 keys!