Door Locks not working correctly?

Tiny
97HONDACIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 149,000 MILES
I've scoured forums and can't find any I found on my specific problem, although I have see variations. I'm sorry if this is a rehash of a different post. Just bought my 97 Honda Civic as a commuter car. Everything is immaculate. One issue though, ALL door locks work from the switch except the drivers side. In reference to the drivers side, when I hit the switch I can hear the actuator trying to move the lock up and down but to no avail. I can manually lock and unlock from the outside, or by manually pushing or pulling the door lock on top of the door panel. Can the actuator become disconnected from the lock mechanism itself? Any suggestions? In addition, if I remember correctly, in order to lock all doors from the switch panel I have to pull the door handle to engage the locking of the drivers side. Is that correct for a 97 as it is for a 98. Thank you in advance.
Saturday, July 19th, 2014 AT 8:22 AM

28 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Oil works wonders, pull the door panel off and lube the lock actuator it is either partially frozen or a clip broke or in bad need of lubing. This guide can help you check for power with the door lock wiring diagrams below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Saturday, July 19th, 2014 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
97HONDACIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Awesome! I appreciate your response. Where should I place the oil, and what kind? I've taken the door panel off already and everything appears to be securely connected.
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Saturday, July 19th, 2014 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Penetrating oil or wd40 will work the best if you have any lying around. It could be a bad actuator as well but try that first.
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Saturday, July 19th, 2014 AT 12:42 PM
Tiny
97HONDACIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Definitely have some WD40. I'll try that tonight! Totally appreciate your help!
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Saturday, July 19th, 2014 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
ROCKINEDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Hi, I was wondering if someone can help me with a problem with my door locks. If I press the button to lock or unlock the doors, the driver side is the only lock that works. There is no noise coming from any of the other doors and none of the doors lock or unlock. I can manually lock and unlock all the doors with no problems. I just cant use the buttons to lock and unlock all of them. I know there is a blue box in the door and I assume this is the control box for the door locks. Could this be the problem?

Thanks
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKINEDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I think I figured it out. I tested the actuators with a 9v battery and they all work just fine. They don't unlock the doors due to the fact that they need 12v to work, but they do click and move the locks. So the next step has to be the blue control box. The only other thing it can be is wiring from the box, and that all seems good.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKINEDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ok, it wasn't the control box after all. The problem was a disconnected wire at the plug that enters the door. I did a simple continuity test between the plug from the control box and the passenger side door lock plug and found no continuity between the wht/red wires. I then wiggled the wires around inside the driverside door and found the problem. I had to run a new wire, but the fix was easy.
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+1
Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICKLUNN44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
I have a 97 Civic LX, 200,000 miles and the rear door locks are stuck in the locked position. They do not unlock manually or with the power locks. I am wondering how I can get them unlocked so I can open the doors and then take the door panels off to investigate what's happening. But right now I am driving a 4-door roadster. Heh. Any ideas on how I can get these guys unlocked? Should I employ the services of a nearby car thief and his slim jim? Many thanks!
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Have you checked the fuses? Those have child locks on them with a switch available when the door is open. If it is not the fuses, I would employ the services of slim jim.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICKLUNN44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the reply. I did check the fuses and things are showing continuity. I think my best bet will be a professional having a look at it. I have a bad feeling about trying my hand at jimmying them unlocked. I'll post an update when I hear what the final verdict is.

Thanks,
Nick
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICKLUNN44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I ended up having a guy jimmy them open with a slim jim and now I am on to troubleshoot the power door lock failing. Going to write a ne post for that one. Thanks for the help

nick

thanks for the reply. I did check the fuses and things are showing continuity. I think my best bet will be a professional having a look at it. I have a bad feeling about trying my hand at jimmying them unlocked. I'll post an update when I hear what the final verdict is.

Thanks,
Nick[/quote:4f30de32a1]
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAREIROX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
Electrical problem
1997 Honda Civic 4 cyl

Hi Guys,

Here's my questions. My '97 Honda Civic (4 doors) power door locks were working properly until recently.

The power door locks work FINE when the driver's door is closed.

I have always been able to unlock all doors with the driver's door open, using the PDL switch. Likewise, I have always been able to lock all doors with the driver's door open (holding the outside handle up as if opening the door, then pressing the interior lock button, not the switch).

Not anymore. All door locks will now open only when the driver's door is closed OR at least the door locking mechanism is in contact with the door frame (the little latch thing that "holds" the door in place once closed).

One observation: The master key started giving some trouble when unlocking the driver's door, so I started using the valet key. When this happened, this problem began occurring. However, a locksmith fixed the lock and now the master key works fine, but the PDL problem persists.

Any clues?

Thanks!
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
ACTUATOR TEST
CAUTION:To prevent damage to the actuator motor, apply power and ground only momentarily.

Driver's Door
Remove door panel. Unplug connector. With switch in LOCK position, there should be continuity between terminals No. 3 and 4. With switch in UNLOCK position, there should be no continuity between terminals No. 3 and 4. See Fig. 3 .
Connect battery voltage to actuator connector terminal No. 1. Momentarily connect terminal No. 2 to ground. Actuator should move to LOCK position. Connect battery voltage to actuator connector terminal No. 2. Momentarily connect terminal No. 1 to ground. Actuator should move to UNLOCK position.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_3_9.jpg

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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NICKLUNN44
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
1997 Honda Civic LX 4dr
200,000 miles

The power door locks on my car are not locking/unlocking the doors. None of the doors. I checked the fuses and they are ok. I also tested the switch and it showed continuity for both lock/unlock. I then reconnected the wires and tested them at the other end, where it plugs in to the Power Lock Control module and flipped the switch again. Continuity appeared on the wires there. That eliminated a bad wire from the switch to the module.

I then, referencing the wiring diagram in the Haynes manual, tested continuity from the control module to the driver's door lock actuator. This seemed strange to me, but the wires which were supposed to (if I read the diagram correctly) indicate the switch locking/unlocking showed continuity without doing anything to the switch.

With everything plugged in, toggling the switch does not result in any sound being made (the typical clicking sound that occurred when i would lock or unlock the doors)

My questions are:

1) how often does the power lock control module fail?
2) how can i remove the actuator to more easily test it?
3) does the lack of that sound indicate actuator or this control module?
4) would a failing driver's door actuator cause the other doors to not lock/unlock, or are most likely all 4 door hosed up?

Let me know if you need anymore info or more explanation. I'm also attaching a pic of the control module from one i found on eBay.

Thanks,
Nick


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/87246_1201661986_1.jpg

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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
I am headed out the door but I quick pulled together material that should help you out with diagrams, testing, etc. I will email it to you here shortly.
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-2
Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AIRDAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
How did you determine the problem and what did you do to fix it. My civic has the same issue.

1997 Honda Civic LX 4 Door
118,000 miles
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TUDOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey I have the same problem except I have a 1999 honda civic ex, I cant figure out what the problem is but my locks stil lmake the clicking sound. Anyone know what could be the problem?
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+5
Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LUISM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Is it that the lifespan of the part is 10 years?
Can I see those diagrams too?
What parts would I need to order?
Thanks for any help :)

Can anyone recoomend a reputable (fair priced) honda mechanic in the area? Chicago?

Thanks

-Luis ?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PILOTSTEV
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Has anyone fixed the problem? I have a 1998 Civic EX coupe with exact same problem. Question: If you replace the lock control module, do you need new remotes for the car? Can anyone please e-mail me the solution. :P

Thanks. :Lol:
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-1
Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOPGUN1226
  • MEMBER
  • 29 POSTS
The remotes can be reprogrammed at any time, I've bought a few off eBay. There's a way to associate them with your specific keyless.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals

Great resource.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:17 PM (Merged)

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