Are my power door locks dying? - Focaljet

**rfgZTS** · 04-03-2001, 07:48 PM

Here's the situation. I haven't driven my car in over a week until today. First thing I notice when remotely unlocking the doors is the sound they make is a LOT quieter than usual. Didn't think much of it until I went to lock the doors. The driver's side door wouldn't lock! Thinking it might be a battery issue, I started my car to see if any other electrical systems were having issues. Car started with no problem, and the radio and other components appeared to be working just fine. After a minute of running the car I tried locking the driver's door using the lock button on the door, to no avail. Anyone else experience this problem? Please help!

**Catman** · 04-04-2001, 04:38 PM

Assuming you can lock the door by pressing on the knob attached to the door [the triangular thing that says locked on it]or by using the key, I'd say your problem is not a failure of the mechanical parts but something in the electronics or motor used to activate the power locks. Try checking your fuses first. Your manual shows where they are. If fuses aren't the problem you may need a shop to look at it. Good luck.
2001 Malibu Blue ZX3
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**rfgZTS** · 04-05-2001, 03:01 PM

Well, I dunno what's going on with these things. I have a feeling that the driver's door actuator just got stuck. In an attempt to check things out, I removed the inner door panel to find a bunch of foam. I didn't want to take all that off, so I just replaced the panel, determined to call the dealership to take it in for repair. Just for kicks, I try locking the door once more and it works just fine! I think I just got lucky somehow. The door locks now make their typical loud noise when locking and unlocking, so everything seems okay. I guess the driver's door lock being stuck, sucked most of the juice while tyring to actuate (hence the softer unlocking noise for the other doors when it was stuck). Anyhow, I hope this doesn't happen again...

**rfgZTS** · 04-13-2001, 07:45 PM

The plot thickens!!! I take my car to the dealership today to fix the door lock problem as it acted up again. This time not only do all doors not actuate, but the trunk release doesn't work either. Diagnosis, bad fuse. However, when I pick up my car, I try out the power locks again and the driver's side doesn't work, but the other three struggle to open. I definitely think there is some wiring problem with the driver's side door that may be causing a short circuit. Anyone have a wiring diagram or any suggestions on where the wires to the actuator may be found? Thanks in advance.

04-03-2001, 07:48 PM	#1
rfgZTS Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: bedford, ma Posts: 95	Are my power door locks dying? Here's the situation. I haven't driven my car in over a week until today. First thing I notice when remotely unlocking the doors is the sound they make is a LOT quieter than usual. Didn't think much of it until I went to lock the doors. The driver's side door wouldn't lock! Thinking it might be a battery issue, I started my car to see if any other electrical systems were having issues. Car started with no problem, and the radio and other components appeared to be working just fine. After a minute of running the car I tried locking the driver's door using the lock button on the door, to no avail. Anyone else experience this problem? Please help!

04-04-2001, 04:38 PM	#2
Catman TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Canada Posts: 351	Re: Are my power door locks dying? Assuming you can lock the door by pressing on the knob attached to the door [the triangular thing that says locked on it]or by using the key, I'd say your problem is not a failure of the mechanical parts but something in the electronics or motor used to activate the power locks. Try checking your fuses first. Your manual shows where they are. If fuses aren't the problem you may need a shop to look at it. Good luck. 2001 Malibu Blue ZX3 full Wings West body kit Jackson Autosport custom stainless exhaust Kurtz Kustomz pedal pads map light dome light conversion

04-05-2001, 03:01 PM	#3
rfgZTS Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: bedford, ma Posts: 95	Re: Are my power door locks dying? Well, I dunno what's going on with these things. I have a feeling that the driver's door actuator just got stuck. In an attempt to check things out, I removed the inner door panel to find a bunch of foam. I didn't want to take all that off, so I just replaced the panel, determined to call the dealership to take it in for repair. Just for kicks, I try locking the door once more and it works just fine! I think I just got lucky somehow. The door locks now make their typical loud noise when locking and unlocking, so everything seems okay. I guess the driver's door lock being stuck, sucked most of the juice while tyring to actuate (hence the softer unlocking noise for the other doors when it was stuck). Anyhow, I hope this doesn't happen again...

04-13-2001, 07:45 PM	#4
rfgZTS Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: bedford, ma Posts: 95	Re: Are my power door locks dying? The plot thickens!!! I take my car to the dealership today to fix the door lock problem as it acted up again. This time not only do all doors not actuate, but the trunk release doesn't work either. Diagnosis, bad fuse. However, when I pick up my car, I try out the power locks again and the driver's side doesn't work, but the other three struggle to open. I definitely think there is some wiring problem with the driver's side door that may be causing a short circuit. Anyone have a wiring diagram or any suggestions on where the wires to the actuator may be found? Thanks in advance.

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