Ok... I'm a girl and not very mechanically inclined... let me admit that right up front.
Here's my problem... I have a 2000 Mercury Sable and all of a sudden the auto door lock in the driver side door makes a HORRIBLE stripping noise when I lock the car with the FOB or the door buttons (manually with the key, of course, there is no noise). It's been doing this for about a month and so far the lock still works.
My question(s):
1. Is it possible that some sort of belt has just slipped off inside the door or is this probably the gears being worn down and slipping (from the noise, it's obvious that something is slipping).
2. How major a repair is this? Anyone have an idea of what it will cost?
3. I saw an article on this site about doing fixing a non-functioning auto lock on an old Mustang and there was a comment that up to the 90s inside the door was a nightmare to access and a mess once you got there. Does that mean it's a little easier for a car circa-2000?
4. Is this something I should ask my game, but not overly skilled, husband to do? Or should I bite the bullet and take it into the shop?
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
