Door Lock Problem - Diesel Forum

Nick363 · 06-01-2009, 05:33 PM

My electric door locks will Lock when the LOCK button is pressed either at the door or with the key fob. But, they won't unlock door at all with the UNLOCK button on the door. The key fob will only unlock the driver door and not the other 3 doors. I think that is weird. Does anyone know what I need to fix the problem. I don't want to pay for a Ford repair visit if it is something I can fix.

Thanks, Nick

JBinAF · 06-10-2009, 01:41 AM

you need new lock actuator solenoids, I just picked some up on ebay and replaced all 5 on my X took about 2.5 hr most of the time spent on the first one. from what I've read this is a common problem.

GrampyJim · 06-10-2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick363

My electric door locks will Lock when the LOCK button is pressed either at the door or with the key fob. But, they won't unlock door at all with the UNLOCK button on the door. The key fob will only unlock the driver door and not the other 3 doors. I think that is weird. Does anyone know what I need to fix the problem. I don't want to pay for a Ford repair visit if it is something I can fix.

Thanks, Nick

You are most likely describing "progressive unlock". Push the button once and only one door unlocks - the drivers door... While it may seem wierd, it could save one of your loved ones from harm.. Think about it....

Push the key fob button once and the drivers door will unlock.... Push it a second time within a few seconds and the rest unlock. This is a wonderful safety feature.... One that is described in detail in ones owners manual.....

<I don't want to pay for a Ford repair visit if it is something I can fix.> Ummmmm - I don't think it is broken.... But I am still a bad man????

FWIW, your idea of wierd allows me a margin of comfort knowing that my loving bride has one more small and tenuous means of defense when she is forced to be in a dark parking area late at night.

FWIW. we refer to the owners manual as "the worlds most expensive unread book". A very few minutes reading this document will have you looking like an expert... Because the only other people that read it do it for a living... and will charge money for something you "might" have done for yourself.... but didn't.

Nick363 · 06-10-2009, 11:33 AM

I know about the benifits and safety of the one door unlock. That isn't my problem. when sitting in the truck I cant unlock the door using the power unlock button. It wont unlock. I can lock the doors just fine. With the key fob I can lockthe door. I cant unlock either. Sometimes I can get it to unlock but only the driver door. I can press ulock repeadedly but it won't unlock any others.

Thanks,
Nick

kb9snp · 06-10-2009, 01:35 PM

These actuators have a little motor in them. I think it's made by johnson controls. Anyway, there is a little part in the motor that seems to burn out or malfunction. Some people say it is a thermal resister, I wonder if it is a capacitor. Either way, people crack the actuators apart and pull the motors out. Then they'll take the motors apart and short that little piece out and put it all back together. If you search you'll find threads about it. The only problem is that it overides the engineering that keeps the motor from being burnt up, so you won't want to hold the button long. I think new actuators are designed differently.

Daisymay77 · 06-10-2009, 01:43 PM

I have almost the same problem, I don't have a remote, but when you hit the lock button, you can hear it cycle, but it doesn't lock anything. The ign key doesn't fit the door, so I can only assume the ign sw has been changed, so I can't lock the truck. does the no pwr lock sound like the solenoid problem? Can I buy a cylinder for the door that matches the ign?

kb9snp · 06-10-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daisymay77

I have almost the same problem, I don't have a remote, but when you hit the lock button, you can hear it cycle, but it doesn't lock anything. The ign key doesn't fit the door, so I can only assume the ign sw has been changed, so I can't lock the truck. does the no pwr lock sound like the solenoid problem? Can I buy a cylinder for the door that matches the ign?

Your actuators are probably bad.

I'd say whoever owned your truck had to put a new ignition in and didn't want to pay a small fortune for the dealer to make one that would work with the original key. So they probably went to a junkyard and just bought an ignition w/key. I would call a local locksmith and see if they can rekey your door locks or your ignition or just make you a key to work with your door locks, i doubt it would cost much. Matter of fact, if you take the lock cylinders out of your door for them to rekey, you can replace your actuators at the same time. If they can't rekey them you could go to a junk yard and get the ignition and door locks from a truck that is similiar and has the keys.

Nick363 · 06-11-2009, 10:34 AM

If it is new actuators that I need, why did they all (4) go out at the same time. Or, is that how it works.

Thanks,
Nick

kb9snp · 06-11-2009, 11:57 AM

I didn't know that this just suddenly started happening. You might see if you are getting 12v at your actuators when you press the button.

Teknobenji · 06-11-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick363

My electric door locks will Lock when the LOCK button is pressed either at the door or with the key fob. But, they won't unlock door at all with the UNLOCK button on the door. The key fob will only unlock the driver door and not the other 3 doors. I think that is weird. Does anyone know what I need to fix the problem. I don't want to pay for a Ford repair visit if it is something I can fix.

Thanks, Nick

Had same problem - there is a resistor in the OEM doorlock motor that was designed to keep the motor from burning out should someone press lock/unlock 500 times. the resistor eventually starts to burn out, making the actuator have erratic problems. I replaced 2 of my 4 actuators. The drivers door is the first and most common to go out due to the progressive lock function of the keyless entry. It's not a bad job if you are at all mechanical. I bought some aftermarket actuators for $36 a pair - that beat fords $60 each for oem - I figured even if they lasted hald as long I was saving money in the end!

I found this faq AFTER doing my first door - it's for an excursion, but its pretty much the same:
2000 Ford Excursion 4x4 - Door Lock Actuator Installation

good luck!

scottwright · 06-11-2009, 04:57 PM

i have 04 f-350 superduty crew cab, back passenger door all of a sudden won't unlock, this happened after wife bounced it into a bean field, my doors have the child proof levers on them, how to i access the door panel to get door open so I can work on it

need help!!!

Nick363 · 06-11-2009, 11:49 PM

Thanks for the instructions. Guess I will be buying 4 on EBAY.

Nick

gp49 · 06-12-2009, 02:51 AM

Nick363

If you still have the problem after you replace the acutators next thing to investigate would be your VSM (vehicle security module). I noticed that you have a '02. My '02 started having similar issues as yours, plus a couple more . After reading few VSM related threads (in different forums) I realized that they all have the same thing in common - all the truck were 2002.

I replaced the VSM for a new one and had it reprogramed by the dealer. Problem was solved. Cost $120 (part) + $145 to get it reprogramed by the stealer

Good luck

Mark