Doors not unlocking reliably with the exterior door handle locking button

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Longtrail

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Background Information:
  • All four doors have an exterior handle with a lock/unlock button (see image – from the driver’s door)
  • New batteries installed to the two different key fobs (CR2032)
  • Driver door card removed, the exterior door handle cable was disconnected from the wiring harness (which at least resolved the handle not working on the driver’s door)
  • When pushed the lock/unlock button on the exterior door handle will always reliably lock the vehicle (from all four handles)
  • The key fob will also reliably lock and unlock the doors
The problem:
Using the exterior door handle lock button to unlock the vehicle only works intermittently (same for all four buttons). Sometimes it will work, other times you will hear the locks make a noise (like an unlocking noise and the lights flash) but the vehicle will not unlock (mirrors don’t unfold); and then other times you’ll see the vehicle lights flash but get no other noise. You can also unlock the vehicle by pulling the door handle; this demonstrates the same issue and inconsistency.

Sometimes the vehicle will beep the horn, a little like the Road Runner beep-beep…

Key fob is in my pocket when testing this (I’ve tried playing around with key fob position); when out of range it behaves as expected in that the vehicle is locked and secure and there are no lights or unlocking sounds…

I realize door actuators are an Achilles heal but when using the key fob or internal locks they all look like they’re working/actuating well.

Any thoughts or help would be gratefully received, I’m a newbie trying to figure out lots of “small” issues!

doorLock.png
 

ftillier

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Do you have an IID Tool? I've found it super helpful to read codes, as it will report things as minor as puddle lights not working. I use it regularly in seeking 'zero codes', and am down to one intermittent code about the GPS antenna that I haven't fully sorted yet.
 

Longtrail

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Do you have an IID Tool? I've found it super helpful to read codes, as it will report things as minor as puddle lights not working. I use it regularly in seeking 'zero codes', and am down to one intermittent code about the GPS antenna that I haven't fully sorted yet.

I don't have the IID Tool (yet), having just bought this beast I'm not in favor with the boss and need to be careful with the budget!... I saw on another thread that I should join the LR3/4 facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1621225684825324/) and look for a particular user who may be able to get me a discount on one! It certainly looks useful but I'm not there yet with the associated tool collection! I did look at their website but it's still not clear what I should buy based on ownership of a single vehicle?

Thanks for helping.
 

ftillier

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That's the one, I got mine from Lucky8, which avoids shipping from the UK. When I got mine they gave a discount for forum members here, I don't know if they still do. Reach out to them, they're pretty responsive.
 

ftillier

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I just checked on my 2012, and the button on the handles only locks, it does not toggle. To unlock, I pull on any of the handles.
 

16FujiDisco

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I just checked on my 2012, and the button on the handles only locks, it does not toggle. To unlock, I pull on any of the handles.
This. Same on my ‘16. Push button to lock doors, pull the handle to unlock with key nearby.
 

Longtrail

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I feel like you guys are correct, I believe I may have read somewhere that the button only locks the doors which makes my inconsistent behavior even weirder than it already is! I note also that sometimes a very light "wiggle" to the handle also causes things to happen (lights flash, door locks make noise, etc.). I'll test pulling the handle(s) in the morning and report back - Thanks.
 

ftillier

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the car will detect your hand on the inside of the door handle and unlock, so that by the time you pull, the door is not only unlocked, but opens. If you wrap your hand around the handle and then push the button I'd expect you would get some noise and lights flashing.
 

Longtrail

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Happy to report that this works a treat :). It makes no sense why the button acts the way it does, I seem to have a reliable way to get in... 21st century issue I know but it's the small things add up! FWIW, I couldn't find anything in the manual about this (yet). Thanks for helping.
 

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