central locking trouble

WA-mum · 14-02-2008, 11:48 PM

I'm hoping I can get some advice or just knowledge from you folk.

We traded in our 93 Falcon sedan for a 2000 Falcon Forte wagon .. and have 1 key. I lock the car each night yet in the morning when my son goes to the car and attempts to open the left rear door, it opens. He says 'mum you didn't lock the car' and I swear I did. Husband checked the car prior to work this morning, yep it was locked .. but son opens that same side again and car is unlocked.

So tonight I did a test, locked the car and went around to that side and found that both the front and rear left side doors remain unlocked.

Why is it so ?

I googled for info and found possibly to do with wiring or something not grounded or whatever. Also a guy said he disconnected the battery and everything was fine again but that was a Prado.

Is there a quick fix to this without going to a mechanic ?

TIA.

bodes-sh · 14-02-2008, 11:50 PM

when you lock it does is beep the horn a few times afterwards or not? unless you are mechanically minded, or know someone who is then you will have to take it to someone, probably an auto electrician. is could be a wiring issue, but both of the mechanisms that lock the doors on that side may be broken

WA-mum · 15-02-2008, 11:50 AM

Thnx for your reply. Just talking with hubby he reckons it's all in my head but last night I tested about 10 x and those doors weren't locking lol.

Also no it dosen't beep the horn.

TwistedEL · 15-02-2008, 01:20 PM

It's a common problem with the AU central locking actuators. You need to replace it. I know you can't get them from Ford anymore, you need to get a BA one with an adaptor to make the wiring fit.

Also you could get a second hand one from a wrecker - but newer would be better.

partzkid · 15-02-2008, 05:18 PM

sound like the actuators, not uncommon for more than one to go. the new ones are BF one with the jumper loom. not cheap...

partzkid

bodes-sh · 15-02-2008, 09:49 PM

there could also be another issue tho, because normally when an actuator goes all the doors unlock and the horn beeps....

TwistedEL · 16-02-2008, 01:26 AM

Nope I had one go when I first got the car and there is no indication of a problem - except that the door opens when the car is "locked". Only the affected door opens, the other doors remain locked.

XR8-03 · 16-02-2008, 01:18 PM

Had exactly the same problem

Replaced the actuator on that door and it now locks properly.

If you search you will find other threads about the plastic gear inside the actuator that is prone to breaking. The gear is repairable and there is a thread somewhere on this forum about repairing one using a screw and a lathe however if that seems too difficult there is a guy on Ebay that sells reconditioned actuators in exchange for your old one for about $65.

Go to ebay and do a search on "actuator" and you will find his adds.

TwistedEL · 18-02-2008, 11:06 PM

Go fly a kite

WA-mum · 20-02-2008, 07:09 PM

cheers thnx everyone .

I figured I'd come to the right place. I knew someone would have had the same probe at some time. Either way it's not hubbys area of expertise, his is computers and networking so we'll leave it up to the auto electrician. At least we have more info about it now.

TwistedEL · 22-02-2008, 04:04 PM

Don't let that stop him. I am an IT specialist too. Auto electronics is a natural progression of sorts.