I have a 1999 F-250 7.3, twice in the last two months, the door locks would not open. The electronic key pod would not do anything and even the key wouldnt turn either door. Pushing the panic alarm or any function on the key pod didnt do anything. After about ten minutes the key would turn enabling me to open door. the truck started fine after I finally got in. Any ideas!!!!

 

Give it a "reboot", and by that I don't mean kick it twice! Seriously though, I used to do customer service and quite often simple fixes are all that's needed for odd behaviors like that, so here's what I'd suggest. Next time you have an hour or so to burn, disconnect both batteries completely. Then, drop the access panel from under your steering wheel, and then unplug each module/plug you can, check then pins are clean and straight, and then reconnect them. That may be all you need to do, but if not, at least you're sure of your connections. And don't rush! The hour+ is to make sure that all "memory" gets dumped and things reset themselves.

Good luck!

 

You have to kick three to four times to be effective.
papadelogan gave you good advice, as the GEM might be acting up and holding the door lock solenoids. The problem you're having is no doubt with the lock actuators if all the linkage connections in the doors are straight and not binding. I have been fortunate so far to not have these issues, but if you do a search, it has been a pretty common problem area.

Good luck,

Austin

 

I've been known to look like a jackrabbit on crack it such times....

Back to the point - let us know how things are going, what you've done, etc. when you get time.

 

Yep, what AustinS said. Definetly the door lock actuators. All four of mine went out and Ford wanted $900 bucks to replace them!!! You can buy the actuators for $50 a piece and do it your self. It is a big job though.

 

I found a link this past weekend that explains how to mod the actuators so you don't have to replace them. I'll dig for it but have no idea where I wandered to as I followed links.

 

If you could find that link that would be awesome. I had another one go out after I replaced mine.

 

Here ya go buddy Tin foil.

 

If you use Internet Explorer (IE) use the History feature - Open IE - Hold the CTRL button on your keyboard and tap the "H" key. A bar will open on the left with a history of all the pages you've visited for the past few days (default is to keep 20 days worth but if you tweaked it...) Good luck

 

That's the one. thanks John.

 

Thanks a bunch Mike and John. Man, I love this forum!!

 

Okay, I am going to try the mod this evening. I will let everyone know if it works for me, but after reading the tin foil forum I have not doubt that it will work!

 

I am interested to see your results, as mine does the same thing to me. Keyless entry all of a sudden won't work, and I have to fiddle with the key for a long time to get it to finally roll and unlock my door. I fugured that the lock was just stiff from not ever using it, but at the same time it doesn't come from the factory like that.

 

I just finished and my front passenger PDL is working like a champ again. The only problem I ran into was when I pulled the actuator out, the dang bar that you free from the white alligator clip fell out as I pulled the actuator out!! It took me forever to get it back in line with the clip. I had to keep pulling it out and repositioning it! Probably the 4 Miller Lites I had. I tin foiled the weakend resistor on the motor and put everything back together. BTW, I only broke off the 4 back plastic rivets to get to the motor and then zip tied them back. After I got everything back together it worked like a champ. Whoever figured this out is a very smart man/women. Thank you so much as I have already replace 4 actuators at the stealerships cost!!!! If anyone needs help with this feel free to contact me. My way of repaying the guy who figured this out!!!

FOX - You may have a different problem. Does your key unlock your door? My key has always worked fine it was just the power. Interested in hearing your problem.

 

yeah, it's like I have the wrong key in the door. I mess around with it, try to twist it back and forth, and after a few minutes if finally gives and rolls. It sucks when it's 5 degrees out and the keyless doesn't work and you are out of your truck for 5+ minutes!