Door Lock Problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 745
Likes: 65
From: Phoenix, AZ
Door Lock Problem
I'm troubleshooting an intermittent problem where my passenger door does not lock most of the time.
I spread the pins in the connectors and it made no difference.
The gray wire in the top connector coming out of the module is the signal wire to the lock actuator. It lights the test light every time I hit the button, but the actuator only operates maybe 10% of the time. That tells me that the problem is the actuator.
The only reason I'm making this post is that while searching for a solution most people say the problem is either the module or a bad connection and is rarely, if ever, the actuator. Before spending the money I just wanted to make sure I'm ordering the right part.
Thanks!
I spread the pins in the connectors and it made no difference.
The gray wire in the top connector coming out of the module is the signal wire to the lock actuator. It lights the test light every time I hit the button, but the actuator only operates maybe 10% of the time. That tells me that the problem is the actuator.
The only reason I'm making this post is that while searching for a solution most people say the problem is either the module or a bad connection and is rarely, if ever, the actuator. Before spending the money I just wanted to make sure I'm ordering the right part.
Thanks!
Keep The Shiny Sine Up
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 4
From: Dublin California
I also have this issue from time to time its on the drivers door though
1 out of 10 times it wont lock but they always open
the issue for me is only on the driver side
I did check all connections all good
looking for a answer also
1 out of 10 times it wont lock but they always open
the issue for me is only on the driver side
I did check all connections all good
looking for a answer also
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 745
Likes: 65
From: Phoenix, AZ
The actuator didn't fix it. Unreal.
I simply can not believe it's the module. I can hear the relay click, both relays sound exactly alike when they engage. I can watch my test light illuminate every time I hit the button. I've tested it both at the output of the module and at the connector on the actuator, just to eliminate a broken wire.
But, I'm also a field engineer with years of experience and I've seen some weird stuff in my time. Try tracking down a partially-blown pico fuse sometime...it was dropping voltage across the fuse and acting like a resistor on a highly sensitive board. That one will always stick out in my mind....a partially blown fuse.
So, that said, I guess I'm ordering a couple of relays...because it has to be the module...lmao, famous last words.
Edit- "They are known to "stick" internally."
I just noticed this. I only replaced the actuator and not the whole lock mechanism. Do you suppose it could be sticking in the lock mechanism itself? I think I'm going to pull it back out and clean & lubricate it.
I simply can not believe it's the module. I can hear the relay click, both relays sound exactly alike when they engage. I can watch my test light illuminate every time I hit the button. I've tested it both at the output of the module and at the connector on the actuator, just to eliminate a broken wire.
But, I'm also a field engineer with years of experience and I've seen some weird stuff in my time. Try tracking down a partially-blown pico fuse sometime...it was dropping voltage across the fuse and acting like a resistor on a highly sensitive board. That one will always stick out in my mind....a partially blown fuse.
So, that said, I guess I'm ordering a couple of relays...because it has to be the module...lmao, famous last words.
Edit- "They are known to "stick" internally."
I just noticed this. I only replaced the actuator and not the whole lock mechanism. Do you suppose it could be sticking in the lock mechanism itself? I think I'm going to pull it back out and clean & lubricate it.
Last edited by TorqueWinsRaces; Apr 1, 2018 at 02:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 745
Likes: 65
From: Phoenix, AZ
The problem is the module. I seriously do not understand this and would love for a more knowledgeable person to explain what is going on.
Since I had my old actuator and the actuator clearly was not the problem, I connected it so I could test it. I got out my DMM. Every time I hit the button, there was 12vdc at the back of the connector on either the tan wire (unlock) or grey wire (lock). Same deal, unlock works every time, lock only works intermittently.
I pulled the driver module and connected it to the passenger door and it works perfectly. The problem has to be the module.
Since I had my old actuator and the actuator clearly was not the problem, I connected it so I could test it. I got out my DMM. Every time I hit the button, there was 12vdc at the back of the connector on either the tan wire (unlock) or grey wire (lock). Same deal, unlock works every time, lock only works intermittently.
I pulled the driver module and connected it to the passenger door and it works perfectly. The problem has to be the module.
Last edited by TorqueWinsRaces; Apr 1, 2018 at 03:23 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Dubuque Iowa
I had the same kind of problem, I just replaced the relays in the control module. Mine was in the drivers door that would not lock sometimes with the remote. I found some good info in the forum and on youtube on how to do it. Found the relays here: ( https://www.digikey.com/products/en?...2V-5&x=11&y=12) I ordered 6 about $10. The toughest part is getting the old relays off the board There is a waterproof coating you have to get around to get them off. If you take the old relays apart you will probably see some black on the contact ends that is causing the problem.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 31
From: Indiana
I had the exact same problem last year with my driver door unlock. After troubleshooting, I decided to have the driver door module rebuilt (relays replaced) because my soldering skills are not the best. Works perfectly now.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 745
Likes: 65
From: Phoenix, AZ
Just to finish this, the relay(s) fixed the problem. I also decided to do the window relays because once or twice a year for a week or so my passenger window doesn't work correctly and now I'm certain it's the relay.
If you have the correct tools, you most likely have the skill level to do this job.
If you have the correct tools, you most likely have the skill level to do this job.
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