Doors won't lock - 500 miles away from home

stallion · #1 03-13-2007, 02:08 AM

I've looked up past threads but couldn't really find MY own situation..

1) I cannot LOCK the doors. (As in push the lever down) This is on a 92 LS-L. It's very stiff and I don't want to push it down really hard (incase I may break something). This is affecting both the pass. and driverside. (At the same time, It was working fine a few days back, bothsides, but tonight both sides don't work)

2) I cannot lock it from outside. When I try turning the key into lock position, it's just stiff and I don't want to forcibly turn it any harder (so nothing breaks)

3) I'm away from all my tools to even open the door panel and replace / check stuff.

I want to exhaust all other options before taking it to a dealership or a mechanic.

Will spraying WD-40 in the keyhole help? Will replacing the door lock fuse do anything?

nextse7en · #2 03-13-2007, 02:37 AM

In an emergency, I suppose you could spray the keyhole.
I doubt that this is problem. The odds of both doors freezing up at the same time are quite remote, I'd put money on a security module/related wiring problem.

Try disconnecting the battery, then try locking the doors.

-Patrick

stallion · #3 03-13-2007, 02:41 AM

I can get in and out of the car just fine. Both sides. I just cant lock either side. So it's just unlocked

also: any chance replacing the door lock fuse will help ?

nextse7en · #4 03-13-2007, 02:45 AM

I'm not an expert on this particular system, but it sounds like somthing is sending continuous voltage to your lock solenoids. Pulling the fuse may help, but just in case, I would disconnect the battery - then lock the doors, see if it helps.

stallion · #5 03-13-2007, 02:46 AM

Thanks! Will def. give it a shot. I remember having this exact same problem, but forgot what I did to fix it.. I think it was unplugging bat and replugging (maybe) but now i'm seriously curious as to what I did to fix it... maybe replacing fuse... but I will give your advice a shot. Thank you

nextse7en · #6 03-13-2007, 02:51 AM

Let me know if it works!

b3lha · #7 03-13-2007, 03:07 AM

I know this problem well.

It happens when the door lock actuator stops in a position that is neither "the open position" nor "the closed position". The actuator has either moved too far, or not far enough. This jams the mechanism and you cannot then move the button or the key.

When you dismantle the door lock mechanism the actuator is a black box. Inside the black box there are some springy contacts that limit the movement of the motor. The problem you describe is caused by a bad connection on these contacts. Sometimes this is due to water getting into the actuator (this is what happens on my car), or it may be due to worn contacts (see the excellent post from Lee below).

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17770

Phil.

stallion · #8 03-13-2007, 03:24 AM

Thanks b3lha for the possible culprit in my case.

but ...

nextse7en...

has anyone

told you

you are a genious???

cause it worked. took the neg post of the battery, put it back on, voila. WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

I wonder how something like this occurs? but THANK YOU SO SOSOSOOSSOSOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the contacts in which b3lha describes are going bad, which probably is the reason why this occurs. I guess unplugging hte battery is a mere bandaid fix for this, this will probably occur again. thanks both of you

SVXdc · #9 03-13-2007, 08:09 PM

The security module could be the real culprit, if you have that. So if it happens again I suggest you first try fuse #23 (under the hood). Unfortunately, that fuse also goes to the TCU module and the parking lights switch, so you probably don't want to leave it disconnected.

If it looks like it's the security module, you should try unplugging the module itself. Of course, that will mean excavating it from behind the glovebox.

Fuse #13 (on the inside panel near your left foot) powers only the Door Lock Timer module, which in turn powers the door lock actuator motors. If the other fuse doesn't help (or if you can't take the time to reach the security module), you can leave this fuse out without any problems.

Pulling either of these fuses will be slightly easier than disconnecting your battery