Is this another actuator post? Probably.

[TeamSAXON]

Hey au fans


I have an issue with my s3 xr6 locking.

I can't actually get into the car without a great deal of trouble.

Neither the key fob or the actual key unlock the car. When I press the unlock button, the door lock will cycle, come up, then it goes back down and it won't actually unlock. I put the key in and try to unlock it that way and the same thing happens.

Is this a shagged actuator motor?

I replaced the actuator cog in my forte but that caused a different issue which would allow the car to be unlocked by pulling on the rear door handles.

I can't actually get into my xr6. Not without pulling the door handle and interrupting the unlocking/locking cycle that it's in. And I learned the hard way that doing this displaces the inside door handle cable leaving the door unable to be shut properly. Although it does actually let me get into the car. This is obviously not ideal, as I can't drive it with a door that won't stay shut!

[russellw]

It does sound like an actuator although it's the reverse of what normally happens when they fail as they usually don't lock.

[aussiblue]

Could be a bent snipper rod - the push rod that goes from the button on top of the driver's door sill to the actuator or the button on top of the snipper rod not sitting correctly in it's sill surround so that it can't be pushed all the way up by the actuator so returns immediately to the lock position. These fault typically cause the locks to continually recycle. Same deal if the plastic button on top of the rod is broken, has lost its thread or is screwed on too far or too little.

[Bill M]

I had this problem and the solution aussiblue mentioned did the trick. I was changing over locks at the time.

[TeamSAXON]

I took the card off today and snipper rod looked ok but I could be wrong.

I replaced the actuator motor, and the cog inside was in good condition, so I now know it's definitely not those two things.


When I press unlock with the remote the lock jumps up but then returns to the locked position.

It is luck as to whether the door will unlock or not. If I lift the handle and then go through a process of unlocking twice (all doors), locking, and then unlocking again it seems to open. That's the only idea I have.



If it is indeed the snipper rod- I'm just a dummy and don't know it's bent or not-, are they easy to source?

[aussiblue]

If it is indeed the snipper rod- I'm just a dummy and don't know it's bent or not-, are they easy to source?

You just bend them back. The tell-tale sign of a bent snipper rod is if the button on the sill doesn't appear to be moving total vertically and at right angles to the window sill at the top. The button also doesn't pull up and down with virtually no resistance when the rod is bent.

[TeamSAXON]

I'll have another look at it when I can get the card off again. The door opens itself slightly when it does actually decide to unlock properly, I don't know if that's another sign of what is going wrong?

[aussiblue]

The door opens itself slightly when it does actually decide to unlock properly, I don't know if that's another sign of what is going wrong?

Sound like the lock latch on the door jamb may have come loose and or moved and needs adjustment. If this is the case the door will usually not be exactly flush with body as it should be. Was the car ever in accident where the door was hit? Are the rubber door seals in good condition?

[11ford11]

Rule in or out rear doors by disconnecting rear doors at the B pillars

[TeamSAXON]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Sound like the lock latch on the door jamb may have come loose and or moved and needs adjustment. If this is the case the door will usually not be exactly flush with body as it should be. Was the car ever in accident where the door was hit? Are the rubber door seals in good condition?

Don't know if it ever was in an accident. Had it since Jan with no issues. Door seal rubber isn't great the rear rubber often falls out. The rear drivers side door is maybe 1 mm out when closed because of that rubber.

May just move the latch a little if I can get it off.

Originally Posted by 11ford11

Rule in or out rear doors by disconnecting rear doors at the B pillars

Just the electrics or the whole door?

[11ford11]

Just electrical

[TeamSAXON]

Originally Posted by 11ford11

Just electrical

Right I'll try that.



Someone asked me if the dash button operates properly. I tried the dash button to lock the car today while inside and it locked and unlocked like a door was left open. I tried a couple of times and locked the car. The drivers door handle was hard to pull when the car was locked.

I can video what's going on if that makes it easier to diagnose. I'm pretty close to taking it to a locksmith or my mechanic!

[macxr8]

Try opening the drivers door and using a screwdriver or similar to flick the latch in the door lock then see how hard it is to unlock. will help eliminate potential alignment issue

[TeamSAXON]

Originally Posted by macxr8

Try opening the drivers door and using a screwdriver or similar to flick the latch in the door lock then see how hard it is to unlock. will help eliminate potential alignment issue

Ok this gives me something to go on, it is easy to unlock with the inside handle when the latch has been flicked as you described. So guessing I need to undo and move the pillar latch?

[TeamSAXON]

Took out the snipper rod, not sure if it is normal or bent. Photos of it here since my picture links keep breaking: http://www.fordforums.com.au/photos/...ppuser=2393509