Automatic doors will not lock

Tiny
PURPLEVETTE78
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MERCURY SABLE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48,000 MILES
I am able to lock to doors with the car lock button and with the remote. However, the doors lock will not actually lock when the car door lock button is depressed or when the remote lock button is depressed. It also will not automatically lock when you put the car in drive (like it used to). I can hear it try to lock, but the buttons will not go down.
Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 AT 7:02 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
Press the lock button on the remote and check each of the four doors. Try to open each door from the exterior door handle. Which door(s) could you open?
It sounds like it is working or is trying to work and so following the steps above and replying will help me to know what is happening with your vehicle's door locks.
Thanks for the question
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Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
PURPLEVETTE78
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I'm sorry, I wasn't clear on my first question.I meant that I was able to "unlock" the doors by depressing the driver side and passenger door lock button and by using the remote. But I could not "lock" them by those same means. I can hear it try to lock, but it doesn't actually lock. So, when I try to lock them and hear it try to engage and then open the doors from the exterior, all that happens is that the door opens and the alarm goes off.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
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  • 719 POSTS
Ok. Thanks for that.
So both the switches on the front doors will not lock the doors.
It sounds like you have a electrical issue on the lock circuit. I would suspect the lock wire is damage between the driver door and body, it is covered in rubber accordion style boot.
Do you have any experience with a volt/ohm meter?
Sometimes wiggling the wiring between the door and pressing the lock button will make the locks start to work temporary.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
PURPLEVETTE78
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ty,
I still have had no luck with the door locks. However, I was talking with someone today who mentioned that it could be an "ice cube relay". Does that sound familiar? Could it be something like that? I can hear the clicking every time I push the button down, like it is trying to luck. There is a big panel at my feet near the break and the noise is coming from there.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 7:53 AM
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
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  • 719 POSTS
Are you experienced with a volt meter or test light?
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
PURPLEVETTE78
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No. But I work with someone who is! I am one of those single moms that has learned to do quite a bit because I'm single. I have replaced many things on my car, but have never had to work with volt meters or test lights.
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 AT 7:58 AM
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 719 POSTS
When you press the lock button on the door do the power locks move down & then suddenly unlock again? Or it does nothing except click under the dash area?

Speaking of clicking under the dash. Get to the fuse box under the driver side dash and pull out the three door lock relays and swap each one of them so than none of them are in the same location. Let me know if this does anything or no change. Keep in mind which relay when were because if one of them is bad you'll need to know which one to replace.

Next, your friend will need to removed the left front door panel and to gain access to the two wires running to the door lock motor inside the door. The wires are colored. One is red with a white line and the other is pink with a black line. Your friend will need to find out if your getting voltage when pressing the door lock switch (lock & unlock positions) on each of these wires.
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
PURPLEVETTE78
  • MEMBER
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When I press the lock button on the door panel (either side, driver or passenger) the only thing that happens is a clicking. Every once in a blue moon all four doors will lock. (By the way all four doors are reacting the same way). The same thing happens when I depress the button on the remote. This is why I was thinking it could be a relay/fuse or something since all four doors are affected the same way. Unlocking works like a charm though! (Crazy car)

I will switch out the fuses and get back to you on that! Thanks again for helping this "have-to-do-it-yourself" mom out! : )
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
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Ok, let me know
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
CJONESPGA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Ty-my daugher's 2000 Sable has to be locked with the key on the *driver door only*. When you depress the lock button on the inside of the driver's door, it locks all 3 other doors, but not the driver's door. Any idea what I can do?

Thanks!
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Thursday, January 18th, 2018 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,710 POSTS
Yes you have a drivers door lock actuator that need to be replaced. You will need to remove the door panel first this guide will give you an idea of what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, January 20th, 2018 AT 3:20 PM

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