Power door lock not unlocking - '06

[RustyMutt54521]

'06 SV6/Uplander/Terraza ...

The power locks will lock the drivers door but not unlock it. Same behavior via FOB/unlock switches. Have to use the actual key or manually slide the unlock lever. The rest of the door locks work fine.

Before I tear into the door and investigate, I was hoping to see if anyone else encountered this problem and what the solution was. I'm guessing the power lock motor/actuator (whatever it is called) is bad and if others experienced this failure as well then I'd just order the part before tearing the door apart...

Any solutions/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[alecz_dad]

Similar problem with my 2007 Montana (Canadian version only, but just like '06 in the US).

Driver-side sliding door locked closed. Will not open either via keyless entry remote, driver's side control rocker button or manual door handles. All other doors open normally via manual handles and keyless entry.

This is not a power sliding door. Manual action only. But still keyless entry.

Just wondering what the problem might be. Seen a few ideas: dirty contacts, broken actuator motor, bent rods, etc. Any ideas?

[Tech II]

So the sliding door, will lock with the driver's door switch or fob, but will not unlock? All other doors, including the opposite sliding door work?

Is there a clicking sound from the driver's door, when the unlock button is hit?

[RustyMutt54521]

I'm the original poster and believe it or not I still am living with the issue

All doors - driver/passenger, 2 power sliding doors, and the tailgate all lock fine using the power locks or FOB. Only the drivers door - not the sliding door - won't unlock using any power switch or FOB. It does not make any noise when pressing the unlock switch, nor does it even twitch.

In short, the only way to unlock the driver's door is to use the key from the outside or manually from the inside.

Thanks

[alecz_dad]

Well, the sliding door is locked, or jammed closed, and simply won't open.

When we use the keyless remote or the driver's door unlock button, I can hear the motor in the sliding door clunking to unlock it. So, I guess that's working. Maybe.

But the manual switch on the inside of the sliding door does not go up, and it is not possible to open the door with either the interior or external handles either.

I read about the contacts along the door pillar and the edge of the sliding door getting dirty and affecting the action of the door. But the fact the motor seems to work, makes me think the electricity is getting across the gap, so it's not dirty contacts.

I've also read about a driver rod breaking or getting bent, so that the lock motor is not moving the lock mechanism. This is seeming like the more likely cause, as I think the failure occurred when my wife was using the keyless unlock at the same time as one of my kids was pulling on the handle. I wonder if that might have caused the driver rod to be damaged?

Originally Posted by Tech II

So the sliding door, will lock with the driver's door switch or fob, but will not unlock? All other doors, including the opposite sliding door work?

Is there a clicking sound from the driver's door, when the unlock button is hit?

[Tech II]

Rusty, in your case, I think your problem is the BCM.....To double check it, you need to remove the harness from the driver's door actuator(this means you have to pull off the door trim and weather seal)....attach a test light to the harness......when you move the the switch to lock, it should light....move the switch to open, should light......if it lights in both cases, you need a new actuator.....if it lights in only one direction, it's the BCM.....

Alecz, the door won't open at all now? You are right....it could be a bent rod.....could be a bad actuator(moves, but not enough in one direction)......you can't manually move the lock lever to unlock the door, and then open it?

[sisson_d]

I had this problem intermittently for a while with the driver-side sliding door. In my case it was seasonal and the lock worked when colder but not hotter outside. In my case I cleaned the contacts and lubricated all the moving parts and it's been working since.