Central locking problem from interior knob?

Hello,

So, the doors lock but will not unlock? Even when pulling the handle?

Okay, let's try a couple things.

First, sit in the car and lock the doors. If you press the unlock button for the passenger door on the driver's door. Does it unlock?

Second, if you hit the unlock button for the driver's door does it make any noise at all, like it is trying to work, or do you get nothing at all?

Third, if the passenger door didn't unlock from the switch on the driver's door, reach over and try unlocking the passenger side by using the switch on that door. Did the passenger door unlock?

Fourth, if you turn off the car and remove the key, can you unlock the door using the unlock switch on the driver's door?

I don't have any pictures of the door lock/unlock switches for that particular vehicle. Is there a master switch on the driver's door. Meaning is there a separate lock and unlock button for both doors on the driver's side or is there a single switch on each door?

So right now, I want to try and establish what is working so that we may rule certain things out. This will give us a better understanding of what is going on.

Let me know what you come up with and reply back to me and we can go from there.

Thank you,
Brendon

Good morning,

Alright. So, when you push the unlock button on the remote the door unlocks with no issues.

But when you use the button on the driver's door that's when you have an issue?

You mentioned the passenger side does the same thing the driver's side does when unlocked using the switch on the driver's door. If you get in the car and lock the doors. What happens if you press unlock on the passenger's side door?

Do you get the same result as the driver's side, or does it work fine?

Either reach over or sit in the passenger seat and lock the door. Then unlock using the
the switch on the passenger side only.

Also have you had any problems with the driver's door closing. For example, do you have to slam it or problems with it latching?

Thank you,
Brendon

Hello,

Try spraying the latch with some WD-40. Put some on, open and close the door a few times. Then spray more, open and close the door. Do these 3 or 4 times and see if it gets better. I would also lock and unlock the door.

That latch is where the door locks so if it's binding or has no grease in it, it could cause this type of issue.

In August of 1999 there was a recall issued for this exact part. It is also called an actuator. The fix was to replace the actuator. Apparently, the doors were not closing properly.

Only 10,000 vehicles were affected but it doesn't mean you couldn't be having issues. I will add the link to the site I found the recall on.

http://www.mercuryproblems.com/recalls/Cougar/1999/#: :text=Recent%201999%20Cougar%20Recalls%201%20Recall%20Announced%20FEBRUARY,1999%20NHTSA%20Reference%20%2399V226000%20Number%20Affected%2010%2C011%20

You can call your local Ford dealer and give them your VIN number. The service advisor will be able to look it up in their system to see if your vehicle was affected and you might be able to get a new actuator.

I know you are not having this exact issue so for now I would try to lube it with WD-40, opening and closing the door, then spray some more. I would also try locking and unlocking the door as well. Heavy Duty Spray silicone or Graphite lube will work as well.

Let me know if that works.

Thank you,
Brendon

Good evening,

Hmm. Thats an interesting development. Does this only happen in the cold?

I would try greasing it along with the trunk latch. When you do the trunk latch just spray some in, close the trunk and re-open it with the key. Also do this a couple times like the doors. Then see if you can open it using the button.

I just want to try and rule out a mechanical issue. If they are not greased well, it could cause an issue like this. But it is starting to sound like an electrical issue. Either a solenoid or an issue with the security system.

Are there any lights on the dash flashing security when you try unlocking the door?

Also do the interior lights work fine.

Do they come on when you unlock and open the door and shut off when you close the door?

Any intermittent starting issues?

Also, if you have the door open and try to lock it as if you were inside, does it work correctly?

Does your remote have a trunk release button? If so, does that open the trunk?

I'm going to look over some wiring diagrams and see what I can find out. Since it works with the key fob it is sounding like a possible security system issue or something with the Body Control Module (BCM).

The cold weather could be a possibility but to affect all 3 latches at once isn't as likely, but we won't rule it out just yet.

How long ago did the trunk issue begin?

Thank you for your patience as well. Sometimes things take a little longer to figure out. As you can imagine it can be difficult to diagnose issues without the car in front of you. But I am confident that we will figure it out.