Electric locks motor shorting?

[Rod.]

I was in the garage tonight and all of a sudden, an electric motor started running inside the dash area on the passenger side. Lucky I heard it or it would have run the battery down and I wouldn't of had a clue why.

Now, I'm wondering why, though, the motor (solenoid?) started running all by itself. If I push the central locking button down, the motor stops running. The only other unusual behaviour that might be related is that the remote fobs don't work all the time anymore (for a week now).

I've pulled the car battery until I can get into looking at it, but does anyone have a suggestion of where to look?

Thanks,
Rod.