Power locks stopped working.

[DavidL]

The power door locks have stopped working on my 99 Taurus. I have checked the fuses and they are okay. When I push the lock/unlock buttons on the remote entry, I can hear the relays clicking. The locks don't operate with the switches on the doors, either. I tried the programming procedure with the ignition and nothing happens. I'm wondering if it's the receiver for the remote entry. Anyone have this happen? If so, is that part expensive to replace?

I should add that this started after I installed a new radio in the car. I blew a couple of 5 amp fuses in the process, but none of them have anything to do with the locks.

[shorod]

The switches on the door have nothing to do with the remote keyless entry. You mention that you hear relays clicking when you push the lock/unlock buttons on the remote entry. Is that the keypad on the driver's door, or the keys on the key fob remote? If the key fob remote, and you can hear relays click when you do so, the remote receiver is working fine.

Did the locks stop working immediately after you installed the new radio, or some time later? This info will guide when when reviewing the wiring diagrams for the lock system.

-Rod

[DavidL]

Originally Posted by shorod

You mention that you hear relays clicking when you push the lock/unlock buttons on the remote entry. Is that the keypad on the driver's door, or the keys on the key fob remote?

Did the locks stop working immediately after you installed the new radio, or some time later? This info will guide when when reviewing the wiring diagrams for the lock system.

-Rod

The relays click when I push the buttons on the key fob, so the receiver must still be working.

My son drives the car, and he mentioned it within a day or two after the radio was installed. He said the locks worked before I put the radio in.

[shorod]

Do you have a multimeter or test light that you can use for checking for voltage, and are you comfortable pulling door panels off?

Also, does the car have the 5-button keyless entry keypad on the driver's door?

There is a 30-amp fuse in the engine compartment fuse/relay box for the power locks. Actually, the diagram implies that it is a circuit breaker, and it appears to be in location #4.

Also, the remote keyless entry will usually have a "priority door unlock" feature which will unlock the driver's door on the first press of the unlock button, then all doors on the second press within 3 seconds or so. Have you tried pressing the unlock button on the key fob twice within a 3 second window? Any difference? Do you hear a click on both presses, or only one?

There is a 5-amp fuse in the instrument panel (I/P) fuse box that supplies power to the Remote Anti-Theft Personality (RAP) module related to the power door locks. It appears to be in fuse location 23. Make sure all fuses are good and seated properly.

-Rod

[DavidL]

I do have a cheap multimeter that I bought when I bought the radio that I installed. I can't say I'm an expert at using it. The thought of pulling off the door panels doesn't excite me. I might do that as a last resort.

There is no keypad on the door.

I have checked the 30 amp fuse in the engine compartment. It is also in the circuit for the power seat, so I know it works. I noticed that when I put this fuse back after pulling it, I heard a faint sound from the doors (like something moved slightly after getting power again).

I have checked all the fuses that look like they could remotely (no pun intended) have anything to do with the locks, including fuse 23.

I haven't tried pressing the unlock button twice. I know the relay clicks the first time I press it. I'll try pressing it twice this evening when I get home.

I'm not sure if it means anything, but when I tried the reprogramming procedure with the ignition, the locks didn't automatically lock and unlock like the manual says they should.

[shorod]

Some have had difficulty getting into the programming mode, so I wouldn't say that definitely indicates something. However, if you are confident that you entered the programming mode correctly, that does indicate an issue.

Checking for voltage to the relays and checking for signal to the relay coils with the multimeter would be a good next step. That will guide you as to which direction to look for an issue (switch/fuse vs. wiring to doors/door lock servo).

If you'd like more details, I can e-mail you the schematics and/or walk you through the steps.

-Rod

[DavidL]

Thanks for the offer, but it sounds like it's getting a little more involved than I want it to. My son is taking the car back to college on Sunday. Power locks aren't that important. I'll just add it to the list of annoying little problems this car has.