Door lock problems

I only use a key to unlock the car. No remote

When I unlock my car from the driver's door it usally unlocks the whole car. However the last few days if the car is locked and sits for at least an hour and I try to unlock the car, it only unlocks the driver door and wont unlock the others.

If I lock it and unlock the drivers door within a short amount of time it unlocks all the doors.

What has caused this change and how would I go about fixing it.

My car has 250000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. The door lock issue at hand is likely due to a faulty door lock timer module. The door lock timer module is located inside of the dashboard and happens to be a common failure on Subaru vehicles. If requested, YourMechanic will provide a technician to test the door lock timer module and install it if necessary. You’re able to find a technician at schedule an appointment here https://www.yourmechanic.com

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The Power Locks Don`t Work

If it`s just one, the locking mechanism in the door or the lock actuator may be on the fritz. However, if all the locks are non-functional, it may be due to a blown fuse. Check the fuse box in your Subaru and replace the offending fuse to see if that fixes things.

Door lock problems are often caused by a malfunctioning lock mechanism or latch assembly, but there are several common reasons why locks stop working: The lock is dry or dirty. It doesn`t fit in the door properly. The latch and strike plate don`t align.
Five of the most common reasons for a car door lock not working properly are a dead battery in the key fob, bad programming in the fob, a blown fuse, a bad solenoid or a broken wire. There are also a number of reasons that your car door won`t lock.
Behind the passenger airbag under the dashboard.
Power door locks use electric motors to engage and disengage the door locks on your car. Owners can control their door locks via door- or console-mounted switches or buttons or remotely by a key fob or smartphone app.
A door locking motor is fitted to each door and connected to a control box located under the fascia in front of the steering wheel. A 20 amp fuse is incorporated to protect the System, see figure 1.
If only one door isn`t working, there`s likely a problem with a door switch or sensor. If this is the case, you`ll need to have a mechanic take a look at your car. If all of your doors don`t open, you could have a blown fuse.
A problem with one lock is probably due to the lock actuator or another malfunction inside the mechanism of the door itself. But if none of the power locks work, check the fuse box in your vehicle. A blown fuse can cause the power locks to stop working.
Most door lock actuators are integrated into a door latch assembly, and you`ll find one at each door that has a power lock. Some lock actuators are separate from the latch, and they tend to be less expensive.
One of the first symptoms of a possible problem with the door lock relay are door locks that function intermittently. If the door lock relay has any internal or wiring issues, it can cause the door locks to function intermittently. The door locks may function correctly one moment, and in the next will cease to operate.
The door control module (DCM), also called a door control unit (DCU), is a type of automotive electronic that provides intelligent control for vehicle doors, and their peripheral electric parts and components, that enable features such as power windows, anti-pinch technology, central door locking, rearview mirror …
Many things can build up in the car door lock. Rust, dirt, and grime can easily build up and jam the car door lock in the locked position. Also, an internal part may have broken off, causing a jam.
Electrified locks come in various types from bored locks, mortise locks, exit devices, and magnetic locks.
If only one door isn`t working, there`s likely a problem with a door switch or sensor. If this is the case, you`ll need to have a mechanic take a look at your car. If all of your doors don`t open, you could have a blown fuse.
Yes. The locking runs off the battery power. If battery is dead it won`t have power to run the lock .
If only one door isn`t working, there`s likely a problem with a door switch or sensor. If this is the case, you`ll need to have a mechanic take a look at your car. If all of your doors don`t open, you could have a blown fuse.
A dead battery is the most common reason an electronic lock won`t open. We encounter this issue at least once a day. To help you avoid this inconvenience, we recommend replacing your battery once a year.
A dead battery is the most common reason an electronic lock won`t open. We encounter this issue at least once a day. To help you avoid this inconvenience, we recommend replacing your battery once a year.
A malfunctioning logic board or a break in the wire could cause problems. If the lock and unlock function works intermittently, there could be an electrical short in the system due to the plastic insulation of the wire being worn down. If it has ceased to function at all, the wire could be broken.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

all doors lock only by inserting key in passenger side door and locking
ANSWER : Your central locking system may have been designed with a control module in the circuit. This is a small computer that is responsible for controlling the different functions of a particular system. It is possible that the module for your central locking system may have shorted out internally preventing particular functions from working properly. I would recommend having a certified technician test your central locking module to determine if all of its functions are working properly.

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Having problems with door locks on 08 Cadillac CTS. Driver side door especially and will not lock or unlock with key. Others loc
ANSWER : This is often related to a malfunctioning door lock actuator, a blown fuse or a faulty power door lock switch. When you use the door lock switch in the car it sends a signal to a relay which then activates an actuator inside the door. The actuator is the final step in the process in that it is a small motor with a set of gears that actually locks and unlocks the latch mechanism inside the door allowing the door to open. When this motor is bad, the latch mechanism will fail to operate and cause the door not to unlock as it is designed to. In the case of a bad door lock relay, the power, normally needed to send the signal from the switch when you activate it to the actuator motor is not there. This means the relay is not allowing the circuit to be completed and the actuator motor is not activated. Any of the above may cause your power door lock switches not to work properly and should be diagnosed by a qualified mechanic. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at the door locks in your vehicle.

Read Full Q/A … : Door lock problems

Driver side door lock button not working, and passenger side sliding door makes a buzzing noise
ANSWER : Hi there. These door issues are common on this vehicle. Most of the time the main issue is the master door lock switch on the driver door. It sounds like you already replaced that. As for the sliding door problem, most of the time, this is a failure within the door module or it can be a connection issue.

I typically take the door apart and check the connections on the module and inside of the door just to make sure that there is nothing apparent in there. If the connections and the wiring are fine, then I use a scan tool to check the module to see what the inputs and outputs are doing. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your door problem and recommend a repair.

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Driver and Passenger doors won’t lock, but I hear them click and see the locks twitch.
ANSWER : If the same problem is happening even when you use the inside door lock switch then the most likely cause of the locks not moving is going to be weak actuators. You should replace the drivers lock actuator first since it is used the most and you will see it fixes the problem. Then you can replace the other doors as needed.

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Front Passenger Lock sometimes does not lock with a remote control or by locking button located on either doors.
ANSWER : The solenoid is on the door latch and is most likely the cause of the problem for your 2005 Toyota Tacoma. If you want to have this inspected and repaired, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your door lock and perform the correct replacement.

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Doors wont lock or unlock with fob or switch?
ANSWER : Hello. Further testing should be done to help solve your problem. Being that the door unlock reprogramming procedure has already been done and the fuses have been checked there’s not much left it could be. When you hit the unlock button you should hear a little noise in each of the doors. If you hear the noise that means that the motor inside of the door actuator is working therefore it is likely the actuator itself as the problem. Though if you do not hear any noise that means it is likely the motor inside of the actuator. The actuator motors are very common failure on Lexus. The Lexus Community is almost an uproar because the a L in Lexus should also stand for luxury but there have been widespread simple problems reported such as this. A technician such as those we have here at yourmechanic will be able to diagnose your door lock issue for you firsthand. But if you consider following the test I suggested that should help you narrow down to a solution as well.

It may also be a beneficial to take a door panel off and probe a multi meter to the door actuator connectors to ensure they are receiving the proper power and ground when the buttons are pressed. If they are that only leaves two things that can be at fault. The door actuator or the motor inside of the door actuator.

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Door unlocked alarm, no power window or door lock on driver door only, interior light comes on with L turn signa
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, wiring harnesses are sold by the manufacturer as a whole harness; not individual wires. It is much easier, cost-efficient and safer to replace the entire harness if it’s determined that it is faulty and the source of your alarm / door issue. It would be best to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete an electrical problems inspection though, as it’s possible that this issue is related to an error code trapped in the ECU. If this is the case, simply clearing the code will resolve the problem. If the issue is determined to be the wiring harness or an exposed wire, they can recommend and most likely complete the repairs as well.

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i need your help my wolkswagen 2005 doesnt want to lock 2 doors… i’m not sure if it’s a fuse problem.. when i press the lock but
ANSWER : Hi there:

If the driver side doors are the only ones that unlock when you press the power lock button, then it’s more than likely that you have a damaged main power lock control module or electrical relay to the passenger side doors that’s causing this issue. However, to be certain that you get the right repairs completed on your Volkswagen, you might want to have a professional mechanic complete a power door locks are not working inspection first.

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