Door Unlock/Lock Remote Stopped Working

**AirFuelsFire** · 03-23-2011, 10:23 AM

About a week or two ago my remote to unlock/lock the doors stopped working. No problem, probably just needs a need battery. Changed the battery and still nothing.

Does it need to be programmed? This is also the only remote and key that I have. What are my options here for getting that fixed?

Also I dont know if this is related or not but my ignition key does not work in the door locks or trunk. So I have been leaving my car unlocked, which is risky.

I dont know if this is related or not either but I think the drivers door actuator needs to be replaced. I posted a thread about my key beeping in the ignition sometimes for no reason, only in the "ON" postion. Also I had to take the lightbulb out of the dome light because sometimes it would just continually stay on. Its like sometimes it works fine(beeping and domelight) and sometimes they just do whatever they want.

Cliffnotes: The only Lock/Unlock remote stopped working, new battery still doesnt work. Door actuator may need to be replaced.

Thanks in advance.

Love Always,
--John

**G9-07-Eddie** · 03-23-2011, 10:33 AM

yep that is weird your key should fit the door lock unless it has been changed

it might need to be programmed but not sure about that will see what I can dig up hopefully someone will chime in who has your model of a car

try that to see if it works

http://www.programyourremote.com/cla...yAd.asp?id=541

**Trq232** · 03-23-2011, 11:17 AM

Well after u change the battery u don't need to reprogram the remote, it's already paired with the entry module in the car, and if ur having intermittent dome light and door issues looks like u have a bad keyless entry module or wiring, but i have no clue why ur ignition key doesnt work on the door

As for dome light, fords have positive trigger for the dome light, you can locate the door switch trigger wire and test it for voltage when the door is open, also make sure the switch can be pushed freely and not stuck.

**Zer0 T** · 03-23-2011, 11:44 AM

I'm not positive but, if you're have door/dome light issues, I think if the door lock system thinks a door is ajar the lock/unlock won't function. The remote is probably ok, it's the vehicle not able to respond due to door ajar.
Last year my wife's Explorer had a door switch problem. The door ajar light was on and I couldn't lock/unlock the doors.

Do you have a "door ajar" light on in the instrument panel?
_

**AirFuelsFire** · 03-23-2011, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Trq232

Well after u change the battery u don't need to reprogram the remote, it's already paired with the entry module in the car, and if ur having intermittent dome light and door issues looks like u have a bad keyless entry module or wiring, but i have no clue why ur ignition key doesnt work on the door

As for dome light, fords have positive trigger for the dome light, you can locate the door switch trigger wire and test it for voltage when the door is open, also make sure the switch can be pushed freely and not stuck.

I was told when I bought the car that the dorr actuator needed to be replaced. When I bought it (private sale), the owner had the dome light pulled out. Which to me wasnt really a big deal.

Then I posted that when the key was in the OFF postion I would get a beeping noise like the dorr was open but it wasnt. Then it just stopped so I figured everything was cool. A few weeks ago I put the dome light in just for sh!ts and giggles and it worked fine. The other day i opened the door to get out and closed and I just happen to look back at the car and the dome light was just staying, so I pulled the bulb.

I guess the ignition or the door locks were replaced at one time since the key doesnt work on the doors. Im just glad that I checked BEFORE I locked my doors. Otherwise I would have been locked out.

Originally Posted by Zer0 T

I'm not positive but, if you're have door/dome light issues, I think if the door lock system thinks a door is ajar the lock/unlock won't function. The remote is probably ok, it's the vehicle not able to respond due to door ajar.
Last year my wife's Explorer had a door switch problem. The door ajar light was on and I couldn't lock/unlock the doors.

Do you have a "door ajar" light on in the instrument panel?
_

No I dont have any dash lights on.

I'm thinking that the door actuator needs to be fixed and thats whats cause the beeping when the key is off and the dome light not working.

Anyone know if thats an easy fix or point my in the direction of a DIY?

Thanks Guys!

**Trq232** · 03-23-2011, 03:18 PM

Looks like they took the dome light off to hide the issue, usually it stays on after u close the door for a few seconds, and it should turn off as soon as u lock it with the remote, if it's stayin on then the door switch not the actuator is the problem or the module itself, if the actuator is bad then u wouldn't be able to lock the door with the remote which u were able to do a few days ago.

Well first have u checked the fuses? Check fuse 5 6 and 8 in the panel inside the car, here is the diagram for the locations:

IMG00746 20110323 1609

**AirFuelsFire** · 03-23-2011, 04:10 PM

I bought the car in November of last year and was told about the dome light, not a big deal. Then sometime in January the beeping started and then stopped. Then I put the bulb in the dome light and it worked fine. Then the remote stopped working. A few days after that the dome light stayed on for a few minutes after the door was closed (couldnt lock it because remote was not working and ignition key does not fit the door). So I pulled the dome light bulb and here we are. I just hope its not a bigger problem like the alternator or something like that. I'll check the fuses later on today. Thanks for posting the pic because I dont have any of the owners manuels either. Silly question, is that the fuse panel under the hood or inside. Is it down by the clutch pedal or somewhere else?

Thank you Tareq !

**Trq232** · 03-23-2011, 04:19 PM

No problemo, I figured I post the pic just in case

yes it's the one Inside, down on the left side just above the kick panel.

**mnstrstang** · 03-24-2011, 07:20 PM

I had the same problem with my dome light not turning off even after i locked the car, occasionally it would turn off if i really slammed the door. A mechanic i know told me the door actuators in these cars tend to go bad. I have an 03 also. I went the lazy route and took out the dome light bulb haha. Im not really sure how much of a PIA it is to fix i still haven't gone about fixing mine yet.