Why won’t my car door lock?
By
Vroomouk
This article will explain the reasons behind the “my car door won’t lock” problem. Generally, there are 6 reasons behind the faulty car door. We will also explain the troubleshooting method for fixing the door of your vehicle in the reasons that cause the door to not lock.
The car door is a highly used part of the vehicle. Thus the chances of “my car door won’t lock” are pretty high. Moreover, the door operation also depends on how the passengers are using it. If the door is being roughly by the passengers, the chances of door locks failing are higher. Below are the six reasons why the door lock isn’t locking on your vehicle.
Why won’t my car door lock?
- The Key Fob battery is dead.
- A fuse is blown
- Malfunction of Key Fob
- Rod or the connector is broken.
- Malfunction of Solenoid
- Electrical Problems
The Key Fob battery is dead.
Key fob battery generally dies after some time. Hence, a simple battery replacement in the key fob can solve your problem. Batteries used in the key fob are coin-type cells. First, however, read your car’s owner’s manual to get more information on the battery used in the key fob. Moreover, the battery size is generally printed on the battery itself.
A fuse is blown
Today almost every modern car has a power door. Meaning the door is locked or unlocked with the help of a key fob. Thus, in a scenario where your car door isn’t opening, you can check the fuse box before taking the vehicle to the service centre. The location of the fuse box is mentioned in the owner’s manual. However, they are typically present in the driver’s side foot fell and generally don’t require removing tools.
Once you remove the fuse box lid, there will be a diagram on the lid of the fuse box. The diagram will show the functions of different fuses present in the fuse box. In the diagram, look for the fuse associated with the door locks. For pulling the fuse of the door lockout, you will need a pair of pliers or tweezers. Once the fuse is out, check the small metal quibble in the centre of the fuse is connected or not. A blown fuse will have a noticeable gap. If there is a noticeable gap, you need to replace the fuse.
Malfunction of Key Fob
Compared to the old-fashioned car key, the key fob is complex in design. If the battery isn’t responsible for the door malfunction, then you need to take the fob to your dealer to get diagnosed. The dealer will connect your key fob to the computer and check whether it is sending proper signals or not. If the fob isn’t sending proper signals, it needs to be replaced.
Rod or the connector is broken.
It is less likely when compared to an electronic malfunction, and there’s a possibility that the rods or plastic connector has broken. The hardware used in the door panel links the switches on the door panel with the inner and outer door handles and locks.
Plastic locks are likely to break because, with time, the locks get hardened and can become brittle. Moreover, the other reason behind the door not locking can be the junk that enters the door through the window repeatedly opening and closing. To fix the issue, you need to open the door panel to diagnose and fix it.
Malfunction of Solenoid
When you press the button on the key fob for opening and closing the door, it signals a solenoid present inside the car doors. The solenoid then translates the electronic signal into a mechanical action, where the solenoid moves the steel rod, and the key is rotated in the keyhole. If the solenoid is not working properly, then you need to open the door panel and replace the solenoid.
Electrical Problems
If none of those mentioned above techniques resolves the door lock issue, then there is an electrical problem in the system that is responsible for the locking and unlocking of the door. Every electrical component needs a logic board and a wire that can ultimately be traced to a power source. Therefore, a problematic logic board or a break in the wire in the circuit could cause problems in the system. Moreover, if the lock and unlock feature works occasionally, then there is a problem in the wire’s insulation, causing a short circuit. If the locking and unlocking stop, then there might be a scenario where the wire is completely broken.
Conclusion:-
This article successfully addressed the “my car door won’t lock” issue in this article. Moreover, while explaining the issue, we have given the six reasons responsible for the malfunctioning of the door lock. Furthermore, we have also explained the solution to the problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): My car door won’t lock
How much does it cost to fix the locking mechanism of a car door?
Getting a power door lock repaired can typically cost you between $50 and $200 at an auto repair shop, body or stereo shop. However, if you take your car to a dealership, it can charge you between $200-$600, depending on the problem in the mechanism.
What causes the power door lock to stop working?
An inoperative power door lock can occur due to a bad switch, solenoid, wiring problem or a mechanical problem in the linkages of the door. However, if all the doors become inoperative, you should begin the process by checking the fuse box.
Why has the central locking stopped working?
A non-functional car central locking system can be due to a blown fuse, faulty solenoid or wiring issues. Moreover, the problem in the central locking system can also be due to the problem in the key fob.
How do I know if my door lock is bad?
Symptoms of a faulty door lock are
- The power door lock doesn’t work.
- The power door lock operates erratically.
- Strange noises when operating the power lock.
- Sluggish operation from the door lock.
References
- https://www.autoblog.com/2021/12/03/car-door-does-not-lock-unlock-troubleshooting-key-fob-battery-replacement/
- https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-fix-car-door-problems
- https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/5-common-reasons-why-your-car-door-isn-t-locking-properly#:~:text=The%20key%20fob%20battery%20is,fob%20could%20solve%20the%20issue.&text=A%20fuse%20is%20blown%3A%20If,could%20be%20a%20blown%20fuse.
