Notices

Power Door Lock ????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 16, 2007 | 05:13 PM
  #1  
AlaTex's Avatar
AlaTex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Unhappy Power Door Lock ????

OK - I am stuck on this one, Please Help --

97 Explorer - Driver side door switch will lock door but will not un-lock, however the pasenger side door lock switch both locks and un-locks as it should. I have replaced the driver side door lock switch, but no joy - same problem will lock but not unlock. Sugestions please.

Also posted in Explorer section.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2007 | 08:29 PM
  #2  
merlynr's Avatar
merlynr
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 1
Did you replace the switch on the door? Trouble probably the actuator inside the door. Replaced one on my 99.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 01:14 PM
  #3  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,758
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I am looking at a 96 diagram, but it might be the same as your 97. Let's see if it is.

There is a door unlock relay. There is a pink/lightgreen stripe wire that goes to this relay. Anytime this wire is grounded, the unlock relay is activated, and the doors unlock.

I would hunt around the driver's side kickpanel, and see if you can find the pink/lightgreen wire were it comes from the driver's side door. If you find it, stick a pin in it and ground it out to see if the door locks unlock. If they do, I would work my way up into the door, and ground the wire out and see if the door locks unlock. Somewhere along the way, this wire must be broken. If the switch you replaced is easy to get to, then you might want to try grounding the wire at the switch. Possibly the ground wire going to the switch may be broken.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 01:37 PM
  #4  
AlaTex's Avatar
AlaTex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I am looking at a 96 diagram, but it might be the same as your 97. Let's see if it is.

There is a door unlock relay. There is a pink/lightgreen stripe wire that goes to this relay. Anytime this wire is grounded, the unlock relay is activated, and the doors unlock.

I would hunt around the driver's side kickpanel, and see if you can find the pink/lightgreen wire were it comes from the driver's side door. If you find it, stick a pin in it and ground it out to see if the door locks unlock. If they do, I would work my way up into the door, and ground the wire out and see if the door locks unlock. Somewhere along the way, this wire must be broken. If the switch you replaced is easy to get to, then you might want to try grounding the wire at the switch. Possibly the ground wire going to the switch may be broken.
Could you send or post the 96 diagram. The one I found is an 87. A newer one would be helpful. Thanks
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 02:47 PM
  #5  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
The lock switch at the rear is wired directly to the relays (also in the rear). Do the locks work normally from that switch?

As Dave mentioned pink/light green is wired from the unlock relay to drivers door switch.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 03:33 PM
  #6  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
OOPS, you did say the locks work from the passenger switch.

The passenger & driver switches are spliced together at the drivers side rear wheel well.

So pink/light green is open somewhere between the splice & drivers switch.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 03:38 PM
  #7  
AlaTex's Avatar
AlaTex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 87 XLT
The lock switch at the rear is wired directly to the relays (also in the rear). Do the locks work normally from that switch?

As Dave mentioned pink/light green is wired from the unlock relay to drivers door switch.
Not sure I follow - All switches and all locks ( all 4 doors) will both lock and un-lock from right front, and rear right and left switches however, the left front switch will lock but will not un-lock any locks. I have replaced the left front switch but org problem remains. I need a diagram for97 Explorer or color code - the one I found for a 80's something model uses a pink/light green as the lock wire, so you and Dave are saying on the 97 the pink/light green is unlock - is this correct?

Thanks
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 03:44 PM
  #8  
AlaTex's Avatar
AlaTex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 87 XLT
OOPS, you did say the locks work from the passenger switch.

The passenger & driver switches are spliced together at the drivers side rear wheel well.

So pink/light green is open somewhere between the splice & drivers switch.
I was sending previous message as you sent above - yes, I think it is either the wire between left front and next switch in line (right front I think) or since the next in line seems to be a straight through circuit when at rest, it could be that this switck is bad ib resting condition. This is my sons truck and it is not here how, he's at work.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 17, 2007 | 06:28 PM
  #9  
AlaTex's Avatar
AlaTex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by AlaTex
Not sure I follow - All switches and all locks ( all 4 doors) will both lock and un-lock from right front, and rear right and left switches however, the left front switch will lock but will not un-lock any locks. I have replaced the left front switch but org problem remains. I need a diagram for97 Explorer or color code - the one I found for a 80's something model uses a pink/light green as the lock wire, so you and Dave are saying on the 97 the pink/light green is unlock - is this correct?

Thanks
Sorry, (Explorer was not here) there are no rear door switches, except the tailgate switch, which is OK - the right side front door and tailgate switches work all locks (both lock and un-lock all locks) - the left front door switch only locks all locks, it will not un-lock any of the locks (same with old and new switch in left front door)

Hope this is clear - hard to describe - it is my Son’s truck and it is not here. I do need a diagram for 97 Explorer or color code for wires at lock switch.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 06:30 PM
  #10  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,758
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
The first thing I would do is pull the switch back out(if it's easy) and ground the pink/lightgreen there. I don't know how they ran the ground to the switch, but if they did something cheesy like get the ground from were the switch is mounted, and there is something wrong with the mount, then it may have lost it's ground connection. If the pink/lightgreen won't work at the switch when you ground it, then it must be more serious and you will have to start digging. I would think were the wires bend back and forth in the door jamb would be a likely place to look.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 06:43 PM
  #11  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
On a 97 the only connection between the drivers & passenger switches is that splice that I mentioned. Your 87 wiring diagram is a different setup.

I have the 97 wiring diagrams, but no way to post them. Strange thing about the diagrams is they show unlock (pink/yellow) at the switch wired to the lock relay. And lock (pink/light green) wired to the unlock relay. Go figure.

From other posts that I've seen the most likely place for a break in the lock wiring is under the rear seat/driver side or, more likely where the wires flex everytime the drivers door is opened.

I've never done it, but the "barrel" that the wires pass thru at the drivers door can apparently be opened up to check the wires.

Hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 08:27 PM
  #12  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,758
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Strange thing about the diagrams is they show unlock (pink/yellow) at the switch wired to the lock relay. And lock (pink/light green) wired to the unlock relay. Go figure.
I thought that too at first, but the "unlock" and "lock" labels in the diagram show the direction of motion of the switch, not the side of the switch were the current flows to ground.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 12:34 PM
  #13  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I thought that too at first, but the "unlock" and "lock" labels in the diagram show the direction of motion of the switch, not the side of the switch were the current flows to ground.
Well, that solves that little mystery. Thanks Dave.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 02:22 PM
  #14  
AlaTex's Avatar
AlaTex
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 87 XLT
On a 97 the only connection between the drivers & passenger switches is that splice that I mentioned. Your 87 wiring diagram is a different setup.

I have the 97 wiring diagrams, but no way to post them. Strange thing about the diagrams is they show unlock (pink/yellow) at the switch wired to the lock relay. And lock (pink/light green) wired to the unlock relay. Go figure.

From other posts that I've seen the most likely place for a break in the lock wiring is under the rear seat/driver side or, more likely where the wires flex everytime the drivers door is opened.

I've never done it, but the "barrel" that the wires pass thru at the drivers door can apparently be opened up to check the wires.

Hope this helps.
Do not understand without something to look at, could you elaborate. It sure would be helpful if someone could provide me the 97 Explorer wiring diagram or color code for each lock switch (left, right and trunk lock) including - ground, lock, un-lock, power to switch, power from switch and switch light, etc.

The switch has 7 (seven) connections - am I correct that 2 are power and ground for switch light and the other 5 connections provide functionally.

I will be out of the country for the next 2 weeks starting 5/19. Thanks for the assistance - however, I am having a difficult time with limited info. Please keep it coming though.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 04:51 PM
  #15  
87 XLT's Avatar
87 XLT
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
As they say a picture -or in this case a wiring diagram- is worth a thousand words.

Try this draw a large Y on a sheet of paper.

Where the 3 lines come together write the word "splice"

At the top right side of the Y write the words "passenger lock switch"

At the top left side of the Y write the words "drivers lock switch"

At the bottom of the Y write the words "door unlock relay"

All 3 wires are color coded pink/light green.

Somewhere beween the splice on your wiring diagram & the drivers lock switch that pink/light green wire is broken.

All the switches do is ground the voltage coming from the coil side of the lock/unlock relays.

This closes the switch side of the relay & sends voltage to the door lock actuators.

Not that it matters in this situation, but the door lock relays are in the jack compartment at the left rear of the truck.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:19 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE