It wouldn't lock when I first bought it, but at some point it started working again and I was able to both lock and unlock it with the silver key. Now it has reverted and it cannot be locked. It closes and latches fine, and opens fine, but the key won't turn CCW. It's a '93.
Try putting some graphite in there. Also, I've noticed on mine that the keys aren't always perfect on both sides. When I have trouble, I turn my key upside down and try again. It usually works then.
It's not that. There's an actuator in there that is preventing it from locking. The cylinder is happy to turn left or right. Many (all?) of the doors have actuators even though there are no lock buttons anywhere. I have had zero luck finding an explanation of how the electric lock system works in this vehicle.
I removed the actuator from the hatch and it now manually locks and unlocks just fine. But how is the system supposed to work at all in the first place? Is there a special pattern of key turns I have to do somewhere? A secret button? How did the lock system function the day it was sold?
