91 Door Locks...HELP

[jcruz]

Showing off my 91 in the driveway to a friend this morning. He's on the passenger side and says "can't close the door". I'm like wtf?

I close the driver's door, then reopened to test the locks and compare it to the passenger side -- now I can't close the driver's door either!

So, both doors are locked and can't be closed -- I'm thinking the security system is in play?

The car started and I managed to get it back into the garage. I disconnected the battery, waiting a bit before trying anything else.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

John

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Use the key to unlock both before you re-connect the battery.
Then, see what happens as you re-connect.
They locked, that is certain.
However, they should have responded to the unlock request.
Both should work mechanically correct with the key.
Keep us posted.
:cheers:
Marty

[jcruz]

Use the key to unlock both before you re-connect the battery.
Then, see what happens as you re-connect.
They locked, that is certain.
However, they should have responded to the unlock request.
Both should work mechanically correct with the key.
Keep us posted.
:cheers:
Marty

Will do!

[jcruz]

No dice. When I use the key, the lock mechanism on the door panel responds accordingly and things are clicking inside the door. Unlocked both doors with the key, then hooked the battery back up.

Locked solid.

[jcruz]

Reading my 92 Service Manual, it states:

"If both Door Lock Switches do not operate, suspect the 15 AMP PWR DOOR Fuse for an open. If use is open, check for a short to ground in CKT 340, CKT 194, CKT 195."

Will check the fuse next

[viper107]

are the latches in the door locked/closed? will they not clasp the strikers? if so ,take a screw driver,hold up the outer door handle and unclasp the latch in the door

[Corvette95]

are the latches in the door locked/closed? will they not clasp the strikers? if so ,take a screw driver,hold up the outer door handle and unclasp the latch in the door
You beat me to it!

[jcruz]

are the latches in the door locked/closed? will they not clasp the strikers? if so ,take a screw driver,hold up the outer door handle and unclasp the latch in the door

Yes, essentially, the door latches were closed. How did that happen? I dunno.

But, I viewed a few vids on the net and finally got them open by simultaneously: 1) using the key to "unlock"; 2) pulling up on the door handle; and 3) moving the latch manually (didn't need a screwdriver).

Viola, latch open, door closed.

Egad., I think this happened on another car of mine back in 1985 lol

Thanks all for the pointers!

John

[32valvesftw]

Is there a relay in the system? If so I would replace it.

[Flyman 27]

Check the Door Ajar switches. The system does strange things when these switches fail.

[DaveP]

Door ajar switches have nothing to do with the power locks in a 1991.
There are no relays in the lock system in a 1991.

[Z51JEFF]

This makes no sense,nothing is going to close the door latches but the striker in the door or moving it by hand.

[viper107]

it happens, seen it on all car makes 50 or so times in my life,dont know how,but it happens

[Flyman 27]

So far, I have encountered the problems twice. Very odd symptoms, like the doors locking you out if you leave the car running, and sometimes with the engine off. Having the alarm system going off seemingly randomly. "System" lights flashing occasionally.
There are a lot of seemingly random symptoms.
Both times they were ZR-1s.
Both times they were '91s.
Both times the fault turned out to be problems with the door ajar switches.
After replacing the switches all symptoms went away.

Is David Swieboda still a member here? Ask him.

[secondchance]

Faulty door switch often (maybe not always) is caused by self adjusting plunger being pushed in too far. When this happens, even when the door is closed, due to switch not being pushed in enough, system thinks the door is open. One symtom I noticed is, while driving, power lock would cycle while driving and door light would flicker simultaneously. Fix when caused by self adjusting plunger is to pull the plunger out, and wrap the plunger with a piece of 1/8? vacuum hose slit length wise. This keeps switch extension piece from sliding in defeating pushing of the switch.
I have not dealt with latch closing by itself but addressing door switch I described would be simple and worth a try.