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Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

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Old 12-10-2009, 06:46 PM
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Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

WHY! please someone help me out, actuator works up but not down... could it be a false ground? cleaned and lubed the rods which helped it lock smoother but still NO unlock. could it be a bad actuator??

any input would be appreciated, thanks!
Old 12-10-2009, 07:21 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

if the other door buttons work try swapping just to rule out that its the button.

if you dont even hear a clicking sound when pushing unlock its most likely the button.

if you hear anykind of noise when pushing it but the door still doesnt unlock or fully unlock.

take off the door panel and lubricate the actuator and metal sticks that make up the door locking/unlocking setup. might just be too much friction to overcome to open the lock.

most likely bad button or stuff needs lubrication.
Old 12-11-2009, 06:41 AM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

yea I havent tried taking off the door panel yet so I guess thats the next step but its so *** cold out ha. The weird thing about it is that both door lock buttons work fine but both unlock buttons dont. You can hear and feel both sides of each button click too but the unlock just seems to disagree with me. I also dont know if the car previously had a car alarm or keyless entry system installed which might effect it but I'm just not sure at this point. Hopefully the panel works otherwise I'll be back for more. Thanks for the post!
Old 12-11-2009, 06:10 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

if both unlock dont work, might wana try looking under the driverside kick panel. there are relays for the locks drill a new hole to make sure there is a good ground and check the wiring.

just another thing to rule out
Old 12-13-2009, 12:27 AM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

if it was a bad ground wouldn't the lock button not work at all as well then?? Can the relays go bad too and that be the reason why unlock doesn't work?? Also saw today that the unlock and lock wires were tapped into due to aftermarket keyless entry or alarm??
Old 12-13-2009, 02:15 AM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

not saying ground is the problem just saying its another problem with our cars that eventually need to get fixed.

and maybe the previous owner bypassed the stock relay and the keyless entry went bad.

not sure. i would try to undo the keyless wiring and see what happens but at least check the wiring to the relays which is behind the driver kick panel
Old 12-13-2009, 10:00 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

had the same problem with it not unlocking. like mentioned before just take the door panel off and lubricate.
Old 12-14-2009, 09:25 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

can one of you upload a photo of the ground because I dont see any wires grounded anywhere. I see a ground screw but no wire so I'm wondering how messed up my whole relay wiring system is. I also terminated all possible keyless entry or alarm wires and still no unlock.
Old 12-14-2009, 09:30 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

the relay housing and screw is the ground. thats normal. im sayin that over time that ground hole gets alittle worn/rusted and doesnt make a good ground anymore. drill a fresh hole right above or below and might find to have a stronger open and unlock function
Old 12-15-2009, 08:43 AM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

my relay is just kinda hanging there though right next to my fuse box. It isn't screwed into anything. I'm starting to wonder if its just the unlock wires that run from the relay to the motor.
Old 12-18-2009, 09:45 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

You're probably talking about the starter enable relay... The thing you're looking for is down under the panel where the hood release is. It's gold in color, and has 2 relays in a "compact" single housing. I'm willing to bet that the unlock relay has crapped out, since the other works. In my experience, if that ground is bad, neither lock or unlock will work, but the relays will click.
Old 05-13-2015, 02:32 PM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

I am having similar issues on my Firebird and I just wanted to ask and make sure before I go messing with anything. Hitting lock works fine from both the driver side and passenger side doors. If you hit unlock it does not move at all and I can hear a click at the dash. Everything is lubed up and moving freely otherwise, definitely not a lubrication issue, and as I said, I can hear a click at the dash when I hit unlock.
Old 05-15-2015, 06:40 AM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

Originally Posted by rdhanded2
I am having similar issues on my Firebird and I just wanted to ask and make sure before I go messing with anything. Hitting lock works fine from both the driver side and passenger side doors. If you hit unlock it does not move at all and I can hear a click at the dash. Everything is lubed up and moving freely otherwise, definitely not a lubrication issue, and as I said, I can hear a click at the dash when I hit unlock.
I have the same issue on the drivers side.

It will unlock fine but you will have to hit the lock button multiple times for it to lock on the drivers side. The passenger side power door locks work flawlessly.
Old 05-15-2015, 07:12 AM
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Re: Door Lock button works but Unlock doesnt

That's not the issue I am having. Mine will not move at all no matter how many times you hit the button, it just clicks, Your just needs greased and it should work great. Spray the rod in the door with lithium grease and work it back and forth a few times and spray again.
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