side door wont unlock

[darrbonn]

I have power doors and locks. Every door will unlock except the driver side , side door. Does anyone know how to unlock it or fix the problem, Thanks

[CoachKarl]

You must remove the inner door panel ot the drivers door and inspect carefully the solenoid that controls the lock mechanism. If you're lucky, the wire that makes it work will have fallen off of it. But more than likely the solenoid needs to be replaced. So, If you want to fix this yourself: (in a single evening);

1. Buy the solenoid for the Driver side door.
2. Pull the inner panel of the door off, and peal back the moisture barrier.
3. Determine the problem.
4. If the solenoid is bad, replace it with the one you bought.
5. If you get lucky, and you manage to fix the solenoid that's already in the door, return the one you bought for a full refund.

If the above makes no sense to you, take the car in and have it fixed.

Post back if you need more details.

[busboy4]

Hi
I have had good luck by cleaning the contacts in the sliding door jam first. Use a little fine steel wool and clean off any corrosion on the pads and spring(ed) contacts. Do it with the key off

If still inop re-read CoachKarl

Good Luck

[Dngrsone]

Instead of steel wool I would recommend using a red eraser, or if corrosion is extensive, an emory board nail file... fine particles of steel from the steel wool tend to embed themselves into the contact and will promote galvanic corrosion.

I a pro electronics mechanic and ninety percent of the time when dealing with slightly corroded and tarnished connector contacts, a Ruby Red eraser is the first thing I grab. A little dielectric grease on those contacts for the sliding door will allow them to last longer between cleanings.

For the driver's side door, you will most likely have to replace that solenoid.

[busboy4]

>>Instead of steel wool I would recommend using a red eraser, or if corrosion is extensive, an emory board nail file<<

Good info, thanks!

[darrbonn]

Originally Posted by darrbonn

I have power doors and locks. Every door will unlock except the driver side , side door. Does anyone know how to unlock it or fix the problem, Thanks

The problem is the sliding door. It wont open at all. When you unlock the doors all will unlock except the sliding door. Is the solenoid in the sliding door or the drivers door?

[CoachKarl]

the solenoid is in the sliding door. Sorry guy, I misled you, you said driver side . . . I missed "sliding" door because my van doesn't have one.
The solenoid is like a doorbell, press the button, electricity is sent to a coil, the coil throws a rod, the rod rotates a plastic pinion, the pinion is connected to plastic rack, that drives up and down the nub that you see sticking out of the door. In all likelyhood, plastic is what has broken in your case. For more details, plug "BROKEN POWER LOCK CAR" into google. You can fix this yourself. Karl.

[CoachKarl]

Sorry, the analogy with a doorbell ends where I say "the coil throws a rod". In the case of the doorbell, it rings. In your case, in most likelyhood, the plastic gear that the "rod" is fastened to is shattered. Evidence can be found in the plastic box that the door lock fob is connected to. Buy a new one. Or, if its under warranty, DEMAND a new one.

Karl

Karl

[darrbonn]

Originally Posted by CoachKarl

Sorry, the analogy with a doorbell ends where I say "the coil throws a rod". In the case of the doorbell, it rings. In your case, in most likelyhood, the plastic gear that the "rod" is fastened to is shattered. Evidence can be found in the plastic box that the door lock fob is connected to. Buy a new one. Or, if its under warranty, DEMAND a new one.

Karl

Karl

Thanks I will give it a try, I really appreciate your responses.