Ford Explorer... keyless entry

Wingdo · #1 12/13/10, 08:21 PM

I have one lock that will not open with the key, or the keyless entry button, and of course it has to be the driver's door. I have pulled the panel a couple of times to see what the problem might be, and lithium greased everything I thought could be an issue, but it still will not unlock. I'm way too old and crippled up to go through the other doors to unlock it by pulling the handle.

Any ideas?

Vette Eaterr · #2 12/13/10, 09:06 PM

It's the lock actuating solenoid that is bad, not the linkage. I have a 98 mountaineer and had the same exact problem.

Hilljack · #3 12/13/10, 11:11 PM

Im with vette on this.

the door lock actuator is probably at fault. I will throw a few options at ya....

Go to the junk yard and get a used one and replace it, go to the dealer and have them wrench on it (expensive) and look into going to a reputable car stereo/alarm installation place (NOT a best buy) they deal in them also. they are aftermarket ones but work well.

Ray · #4 12/14/10, 03:05 PM

around here some of the junk yards will fix some things too, and are not too bad, far cheaper than the dealer, and they know how to fix the stuff too, better than some dealer mechanics, er technicians, er parts changers. mechanics diagnose and repair. techs, start changing parts till it works again changing many parts that aren't bad trying to find the problem best wishes, ray

CNCfamily · #5 12/14/10, 06:43 PM

I have the same EXACT issue with my Explorer! I rarely lock it, but when i do it's a PAIN in the rear to have to crawl through one of the other doors to pull the handle to open the stupid door! And it always seems to do it when it's pouring rain, or blizzard outside. Grrr... And my 6 month pregnant belly is REALLY making it complicated! Lol!

I've done the same lubricating what i can thing, and it didn't help. I'll try to find a new actuator thing-a-ma-jig and see if my husband can put it in when he's home!!

Question though....where exactly is the "lock actuating solenoid"? Is it behind the door panel? Is it something my husband (who has decent electronic knowledge in vehicles) can replace?

CNCfamily · #6 12/14/10, 06:49 PM

Awesome, just talked to the junk yard place i always use and they said they can pull one for me for $15 bucks! I can handle that!

mightybooboo · #7 12/15/10, 05:34 AM

WooHoo! Another fix!

backwoodsman7 · #8 12/15/10, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNCfamily

Question though....where exactly is the "lock actuating solenoid"? Is it behind the door panel? Is it something my husband (who has decent electronic knowledge in vehicles) can replace?

It's inside the door. Yes, anyone who can turn a wrench can replace it.. if their hands and arms aren't too big and they don't mind pushing them into really tight, scrapy places..

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNCfamily

Awesome, just talked to the junk yard place i always use and they said they can pull one for me for $15 bucks! I can handle that!

You might want to keep in mind that the one you get from a junkyard is just as old and used as yours, and might do the same thing yours is doing next week. An OK bet for some things, but not so much for things that are a time-consuming pain to replace. Lock actuators are one of the things I'd never dream of buying used.

CNCfamily · #9 12/16/10, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

WooHoo! Another fix!

LOL! Yep.....I have a feeling it's going to be never-ending from here on out!

CNCfamily · #10 12/16/10, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwoodsman7

It's inside the door. Yes, anyone who can turn a wrench can replace it.. if their hands and arms aren't too big and they don't mind pushing them into really tight, scrapy places..

You might want to keep in mind that the one you get from a junkyard is just as old and used as yours, and might do the same thing yours is doing next week. An OK bet for some things, but not so much for things that are a time-consuming pain to replace. Lock actuators are one of the things I'd never dream of buying used.

That's where i come in as my husbands assistant! He's constantly yelling for me to come reach something he cant! LOL!

Is it a pretty time consuming fix? This place is really cool and will give me another one til i get one that works right, but i guess if we have to spend 2 hours every time we change it, it might be worth getting a new one.