2000 venture van won't unlock...with the door buttons

[ruralways]

Hello everybody,

I have looked at other threads but was unable to find my exact problem.

My doors refuse to power unlock when I hit the unlock buttons located on either side of the front doors. They automatically lock when I put the van in gear. They automatically unlock as I park it. The van works great when I use my key on the outside of the vehicle to lock and unlock(using my PK3 key).

I noticed that other people have suggested to look under the passenger side floor mat area. I have looked at that area and it is squeaky clean and spotless. In fact, the whole car is spotless...no rust underneath or anywhere. I bought it from a guy who lives in AZ in Fall Winter & Spring and WI in summers.

Oh, by the way, this is a base model with just the bare bones in features. Just the way I wanted it to be...less stuff to break on me. It has 2 chimes when I checked it using the key. I'm not sure if this will help you help me but I thought I better mention it.

What is my next step? The more detail the better for me. Thanks.

['97ventureowner]

My first guess would be a defective power door lock switch on the driver's side, it acts as a master switch to control both sides, similar to the power window switch. I've haven't come across a defective door lock switch yet,although I'm sure there are some out there. Ventures are more known for their faulty power window switches. Check to make sure it is still connected, and check to see if power is coming to the switch, ( also check the fuse.) If you have access to another switch,( salvage yard?) give that a try as well to see if your power door locks are operational again.

[GregA]

Originally Posted by ruralways

...The more detail the better for me.

I have some details and a wiring diagram here.

Let us know what progress you make.

Take Care,

[83T/A98Blazer]

I had a very similar condition on my wife's 97 Venture. It turned out to be the wires where they go through the rubber felixible tube between the door and the body. They were brittle and cracked. I hacked and spliced the bad sections out and the locks have been working fine ever since.

[ruralways]

Hello again everybody,

Here's an update. We(my husband and I) tried a brand new door lock switch from the Chevy dealer. The price was relatively cheap and would have been an easy fix. This did not solve it though. I will check the driver's side flexible tubing tomorrow. Since this car has been in a very hot dry climate most of its life, it makes sense to me to give that door flexible tubing a look-see. I'll let you know Tuesday what I find.

I just love this forum!

[ruralways]

Hello again everybody,

Here's the final chapter of the unlock button problem. I will go into detail to hopefully help others with this same electrical problem. My job was to find the problem. My husband would then fix it.

I first tested the white wire(unlock input) on the door lock/unlock module using a volt meter. It did not read any volts. This is located behind the door lock/unlock plate on the passenger and driver side doors. It is the green module. The light blue wire is the lock input. It read 12 volts. It always worked.

The next to be tested was the BCM(body control module). This is located behind the fuse box area. You need to go under the dash area(near the passenger's feet area) to get to the black rectangular box. It has 2 white wires. The pin C 6 is the one that controls the unlock buttons. Just look at the door lock switches wiring diagram in an earlier thread. The BCM read 12 volts. That meant I had an open circuit.

Please keep in mind my locks unlocked with my PK3 key from the outside and when I shut down the car after driving. They are on totally separate circuits.

I called Furlong Motors and talked with a very understanding mechanic who told me that he just finished fixing a vehicle with the same exact problem. He said to look at the wires under the floor boards again. He said the wiring on my van runs from the BCM to the passenger's side door then to the driver's side door via under the floor boards.

To get to the wires, pop up the long plastic trim piece along the door opening of the passenger side. Also pop up the upright plastic piece under the fuse box area. The carpet can then be flipped up. Look at the area where the floor starts to go up in front. This is near the right foot of your passenger while he/she sits. Don't just look at the black electrical tape like I did the first time. Take the tape off and look closely.

My husband soldered the 2 wires and used a shrinktube. Now it works like a charm!

[cdru]

I had a very similar problem in that exact location, but it wasn't with the power locks. It was with one of the fuel level sensors wires. Glad you got your problem fixed.