I know that this has been discussed before and I have looked through the archives BUT. . . . I need to replace the door locks in my Fiero. (actually two different ones) and am wondering if it is necessary to remove or loosen the outer door panel? It looks like to me that it would be almost impossible to get the tumbler out from between the door panel and the mounting plate with the outer panel in place. I have read all the things about how impossible the position of the c clip is, and all the other problems. What is the EASY way. (if it exists) to complete this task.
I have read also that it is possible to take the VIN number to a dealer and get a key, however, all the ones that I have called say they can only go back to 1990. Does anyone know if this is correct? If you know of a place that can make me a key from the VIN. HELP!!!

Kirk

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!!!!!

If your trunk lock takes the same key as the doors....remove the trunk lock....assuming you have auto trunk release....and take it to a locksmith and they can make you a key. Prob about $20.

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

From what I've heard, removing the exterior body panel seems to help. I've never done this so I am not sure, but I do know that a lot of stuff in the Fiero doors are a PITA to get to regardless. Dew strips, mirrors, exterior door handle all require some creative thinking (and hand bending!) to remove/replace.

Keep calling dealerships if they only say back to '90. Just try some others, and also try calling locksmith shops. They might keep some info that the dealers can't regarding the VINs and all.

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'87 Coupe 5spd. - Soon to be V6, engine build in progress!
AIM:FieroJoe87

quote Originally posted by GTDude: WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!!!!! If your trunk lock takes the same key as the doors....remove the trunk lock....assuming you have auto trunk release....and take it to a locksmith and they can make you a key. Prob about $20. Phil

I bought this car without a door key. The trunk lock has been changed and I have a key for it but it is not even the same blank as the door. I called several locksmiths and they say that they would have to remove the door lock first and it would cost $150. A little rich for my blood. If "I" take the door tumbler out they say then they will make me a key cheap. BUT, that puts me right back where I am now.

Do you have an ignition key? If you do, then drive the car to the locksmith, they will make you a key with out removing the door locks. If you don't or can't drive the car then you will tell us how hard it was to remove a door lock. If you are certain that the ignation and door locks match then you could remove the ignition lock and take that to the locksmith. I don't see any other possibilities here.

I've had keys made by a dealer from the VIN # several times not from a Pontiac dealer, but a Chevy dealer. The data base goes back to 86 with almost a 90% success rate. Check with another dealer, if you get the same response send me your VIN and I'll check it out if you would like. If it's a 84 I would order new locks without question.

I actually just changed both door locks in my 84se and it wasn't that difficult. Just remove the interior door panel and it was fairly easy to replace. The one thing that was a big help was a SMALL pair of needle-nose vice-grips and a long wide-blade screwdriver to put the c-clip back in place.
After removal of the c-clip and linkage, the lock just "fell" out. That is towards the inside of the car.

I just replaced both door locks in my 1984 Fiero. The drivers side one was difficult but I got it done without removing the door skin. The passenger side one was terrible.
I tried for a long time to re-install the clip that holds the lock in. Maybe my long-nosed pliers weren't long enough. I had to take the door panel loose. In doing so, of course I damaged the molding - which I probably didn't need to touch.

There is a metal piece which is actually attached to the door skin that the lock goes into from the inside, and then between it and the door skin is where you put the clip that retains the lock. I couldn't get the clip aimed well enough without taking the panel loose. The only thing holding the door panel on when I put the clip on the lock was the passenger-side rear view mirror.

If you go this route, get some door panel screws from the fiero store or where ever else you can find them. Also, get some panel retainers for the bottom of the door skin - they have ones that work at autozone. They are black, have a smoothe round head, and have things that look like ribs or washers molded in up and down their length. I think you need about 5 or six. They should be about 1/4" or 5/16" thick.

[This message has been edited by William Federle (edited 02-22-2002).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Indiana_resto_guy:
[B]I've had keys made by a dealer from the VIN # several times not from a Pontiac dealer, but a Chevy dealer. The data base goes back to 86 with almost a 90% success rate. .
Just my luck the car is an '85. I'm going to try a Chevy dealer anyway. can't hurt.

I just took a broken lock cylinder out last week. The clip that holds the cylinder onto the outer skin is a pain in the rear. I got the clip off, but I knew there was no chance of getting it back on without taking the outer skin off. Taking the skin off isn't too bad once you get the mirror and black molding off the door. Plus, I'm replacing the door handle which also happens to be broken. Just my experience, but I would plan on removing the door skin to save some frustration.

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AIM: FieroMGDriver
My Fiero Page

[This message has been edited by FieroMGDriver (edited 02-22-2002).]

here is what you do take off the INNER door panel!! there is absoulutel no reason to take off the door skin. now get you a skinny screwdriver and remove the holding pin off of the lock cylinder then in front of the cylinder is a c shaped clamp slide that away from the cylinder and you just simply pull it out
too me 30 mins to do both doors

quote Originally posted by SUPERDUTY TT FIERO: here is what you do take off the INNER door panel!! there is absoulutel no reason to take off the door skin. now get you a skinny screwdriver and remove the holding pin off of the lock cylinder then in front of the cylinder is a c shaped clamp slide that away from the cylinder and you just simply pull it out too me 30 mins to do both doors

Thanks, I'm going to try this tomorrow. From everything I have read it is supposed to be a real bear. 30 min sounds great. . . If it happens that way. I'll let you know.
Kirk

I'm with you there buddy. It's too sunny out to put off changing the lock in my drivers door tomorrow. Good luck!

quote Originally posted by SUPERDUTY TT FIERO: here is what you do take off the INNER door panel!! there is absoulutel no reason to take off the door skin. now get you a skinny screwdriver and remove the holding pin off of the lock cylinder then in front of the cylinder is a c shaped clamp slide that away from the cylinder and you just simply pull it out too me 30 mins to do both doors

Absolutely no reason ? Ok, if you want to fight trying to get that little clip wedged back in there go ahead. Or you can do it the easy way and pop the door skin off. If you have really small hands you might be able to do it from the inside. Try it from the inside first anyway. Good Luck

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85 WS6 GT partly modified
87 GT Loaded resto project

I tried that door lock replacement over the weekend. I didn't have the proper tools to get it done from the inside. That first clip on the lock to the linkage has that PITA tab to lift before it would come off. My probes were too weak and my screw drivers were too big. I stopped until I get better tools and more parts.
At least I taped up the sheet metal so I wouldn't get cut up. I started to take off the outer skin. You know those plastic torx heads suck. They're too soft when the bolt is really stuck. I think I'll replace them with some new ones if available or something better.

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My work of art 4..s..money.

quote Originally posted by stsmithgt: I tried that door lock replacement over the weekend. I didn't have the proper tools to get it done from the inside. That first clip on the lock to the linkage has that PITA tab to lift before it would come off. My probes were too weak and my screw drivers were too big. I stopped until I get better tools and more parts. At least I taped up the sheet metal so I wouldn't get cut up. I started to take off the outer skin. You know those plastic torx heads suck. They're too soft when the bolt is really stuck. I think I'll replace them with some new ones if available or something better.

A couple of tips, to take those torx bolts off buy a torx head 3/8 socket. You'll get much better leverage than a screwdriver and may be able to get them off without trashing them. Also to take the skin off you have to remove a small screw that's under the trim strip near the front of the door. So just carefully pry the trim off first, push the spring part of the clip together from inside the door. If you break a clip or two it's no big deal you can still get them from GM, probably the torx bolts too.

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85 WS6 GT partly modified
87 GT Loaded resto project

Cool. I'm a little heavy handed when it comes to stubborn components. I got a couple to pop loose, but a couple of them were pretty ugly by the time I got them off. I'll be replacing them. Thanks for the tip on the little screw. I appreciate the input to avoid frustration and broken parts.

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My work of art 4..s..money.