Advances in technology have made the automotive experience more pleasant and convenient. Who isn’t thrilled with their power steering? If you ever had the experience of driving an old beater, you probably have experienced just how wonderful power steering is in comparison. What do we think about power door locks? We rely on the convenience of these relatively simple mechanisms every day, and hence we miss them when they aren’t working. DenLors Tools Auto Blog gave us details on helping your mechanic discover the problem with your power locks.
Power lock stopping causes
Malfunctioning actuator, or door lock solenoid, is likely the cause as outlined by DenLors, if only one side of the car doesn’t work. So you should make that suggestion to your mechanic with that symptom. This will fix two things considering actuators are connected also to an attached door latch. Or it could simply be the switch. Power lock issues do not usually connect with the computer system within the car. BUS difficulties hardly ever happen also, aka difficulties with your bundled data transmission wires. Mechanics often have scanning tools that can identify problems within the body control. A BUS fault, for example, will display its own error code.
What if there’s an additional issue?
If you’ve had to unlock your car with a slim jim – and particularly if you’ve ever done it yourself with a coat hanger – there is the potential that the linking rod connector can pop off, writes DenLors. It can disconnect links within the system. If this has happened as part of your car, a mechanic (or adventurous owner) can remove the door panel and replace the plastic rod. Plastic parts are only with your car because of price cuts automakers have had to make.
A simple power locks checklist
Master the power locks aspect of vehicle repair and/or troubleshooting with these suggestions from DenLors:
- Are troubles caused by only one lock? Only that door is going to have issues
- If only one switch malfunctions, it is that switch that needs fixing
- The actuator is going to be where you’ll discover the answer to your problem if the power locks will only either lock or unlock the car
- If all power locks work only one way, check for a bad door lock switch
Discover more about this topic here
DenLors Tools Auto Blog
denlorstools.com/autoblog/2009/07/power-door-locks-not-working-diagnose-and-repair/
Wikipedia (definition of solenoid)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenoid
Fixing the power door lock actuator on a Ford Explorer lift gate
youtube.com/watch?v=zobdWXnDeyY
