Auto Locks Problem

The patient: 99 Venture.

The problem: While working another, un-related - rear HVAC, problem on the van the driver's door lock switch just stopped working to unlock the doors. When you press it down the doors to the van will lock, but when you press it up nothing happens. This seems weird to me that the switch would only work in one way and not fail in both ways. All of the other doors switchs work just fine, including the key fob on key chain.

I've got to get into the door anyways for a slow/stuck window regulator, what should I looks for with the lock switch?

I can onlt help you with the slow window as was my issue w/my '97. Per this AF site, try spraying silicone spray in the felt-like vertical tracks the front and rear of your window travels in. I mean soak em. Cycle the window a few times, then wipe off excess on inside and outside on window edges while it is in the up position. May be your root cause. Let us know....

Hello,

I recently had a similar problem with my van. It is a thread posted on 5-9-07 called "2000 venture van won't unlock...with the door buttons". For you, since the only door that won't unlock is the driver side...I would look at the hinge of the door. This is where (day after day) you open and shut it. Pull back the rubber protective cover and check out the wires. Whenever you are looking for broken or corroded wires always remove the electrical tape...otherwise you might miss it. I hope this helps you.

Mary Jo

Well the silicon in the track worked, thanks cjstew4 for the info on the slow/stuck window. However, the door unlock still does not work.

According to the manual it is either the switch or a short in the wire. I replaced the switch with no change. The wire in question is very small diameter white wire that goes into the door then into the dash. I traced it through thr rubber conduit between the door and dash with no 'shorts' detected. From there I don't know.

According to the wire diagram the driver and passenger unlock wires are tied together and then they enter the computer module. Does anyone have any info about these wires and where the likely short is located? Now, the passenger side unlock works just fine, only the drivers side does not work.

...Does anyone have any info about these wires and where the likely short is located?
I believe most of the wiring is on the passenger side floorboard area, under the carpet.

Take Care,

I found the problem. Another user told me that there is a leak in the seam of the wheel well on the passenger side. Of course the carpet has been wet for some time now, I figured it was an evaporator core condensation leak. Nope, I had to seal the seam in the wheel well and I found that the wires were sitting in a trough, under the carpet, in a puddle of water. With all of the rain we had in Houston it is no wonder why it is soaked under there.

Anyways I found the corroded splice, along with two other bad splices, for the lock circuit. Cleaned and repaired and it is working just fine now.

Thanks for the help.