Strange automatic door UN-locking fault on AU1

[BLUAU]

I just discovered today that my series 1 AU Forte's doors all automatically unlock simply by opening the left hand rear door using the outside handle.

Doesnt matter whether the car was locked using the remote or using the key in drivers door lock.
I have no idea how long it has been like this...... its obviously a major security issue.

Has anyone else experienced this?............... any idea how to fix it?

Help please.
Regards, Dan

[LG]

Nice car.

Originally Posted by BLUAU

Doesnt matter whether the car was locked using the remote or using the key in drivers door lock.
I have no idea how long it has been like this...... its obviously a major security issue.

Has anyone else experienced this?............... any idea how to fix it?

The door locking mechanism inside the door has most probably gone. That door will never lock, and because you are opening a door, it causes all the other doors to unlock. I wouldn't take your car out many places. You'll need to either get a new one, or get that one fixed.

Cheers

[mr_xr8]

we had the same problem with the ef. it went to ford twice to get it fixed.

[mattp]

This exact thing happened to me on the rear driver's side, I discovered it just after I got the car home when I bought it. The actuator needs to be replaced, you can get the entire locking mechanism for ~$70. It's a reasonably easy job to do yourself too, Ford will try and charge you 300 bucks, so save yourself a couple of hundred and get the bit and do it yourself. Like LG said, it's just that that door is always unlocked so opening it opens the whole car up. In the meantime if you can't get the part immediately take off the door trim and disconnect the rod going from the outside door handle to the catch mechanism, that way the door can't be opened from the outside. Make sure the child lock is OFF before you do this, or else you won't be able to open it from the inside either! At least you'll be safe from thieves. Good luck.

[robbo_yobbo]

I have a similar problem but its not a broken actuator, It doesnt always happen though, only occasionaly. I know when its going to do it aswell as when the doors are locked, if it makes 2 buzzing noises, I know I can expect all the doors to come unlocked when I attempt to open 1, but if it only makes 1 buzz, I know its all locked OK. I have a feeling its a problem with the body computer modual playing up (which also happens to be causing engine grief for other reasons). your car wouldnt happen to be a late model AU 1 would it (ie DEC99/Jan00)?

[BLUAU]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I'll pull the door trim off tomorrow and take a look.
Dan

[GUTLES]

I've had this problem too & it is very common on the AU's..

[BLUAU]

ok... I found the cause of my door lock problems today.

After buying some torx bits, i removed the door lock mechinisim. Removed and opened up the electric actuator and found a broken plastic worm drive shaft............. probably a 10 cent part but I'd bet my left nu.... errr foot that it cant be purchased seperately.

I ended up drilling a small hole in each broken half and fitting them back together with a steel pin and some good ole super glue.... hopefully this will hold until I get around to buying a new lock mechinisim from ford.

While I was at it I decided to take a look at the non working power window switch... pulled it apart and cleaned up the little contacts... suprise suprise it works like a new one.

Regards, Dan

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by BLUAU

ok... I found the cause of my door lock problems today.

After buying some torx bits, i removed the door lock mechinisim. Removed and opened up the electric actuator and found a broken plastic worm drive shaft............. probably a 10 cent part but I'd bet my left nu.... errr foot that it cant be purchased seperately.

I ended up drilling a small hole in each broken half and fitting them back together with a steel pin and some good ole super glue.... hopefully this will hold until I get around to buying a new lock mechinisim from ford.

While I was at it I decided to take a look at the non working power window switch... pulled it apart and cleaned up the little contacts... suprise suprise it works like a new one.

Regards, Dan

Found the same thing when I had my AU, when I super glued the plastic shaft it woked only a couple of times.

[Silver Ghia]

What about a second hand one from the wreckers? It might be cheaper, but I suppose theres a risk of it not lasting as long. But then what caused it to break? Something too tight and not working properly? Needs lubrication somewhere? I had problems with my AU LH rear door lock mechanism but fixed it without requiring parts, after dismantling it (I seem to remember it needed some minor rework -I cant remember exactly now, and lubrication ).

Also on my AU I went around all the window switches and cleaned them all up.
It didnt take long and was satisfying in that it stopped all problems thereafter with the windows.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

What about a second hand one from the wreckers? It might be cheaper, but I suppose theres a risk of it not lasting as long. But then what caused it to break? Something too tight and not working properly? Needs lubrication somewhere? I had problems with my AU LH rear door lock mechanism but fixed it without requiring parts, after dismantling it (I seem to remember it needed some minor rework -I cant remember exactly now, and lubrication ).

Also on my AU I went around all the window switches and cleaned them all up.
It didnt take long and was satisfying in that it stopped all problems thereafter with the windows.

There just a plastic gear with a shaft all in one piece, it just gets stressed and gives up......2nd hand the whole mechanism is $65 approx.
Big job for a person to take off all door trims open unbolt every mechanism and put some Vaseline on the gears.
Maybe time for a tech article with pictures to be written for aufalcon.com.

[TwistedEL]

I volunteer you

It's pretty simple just a few screws & bolts holding in the trim and 3 torx bolts in holding the lock.

The hardest thing is lining it all back up when you reinstall

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

I volunteer you

It's pretty simple just a few screws & bolts holding in the trim and 3 torx bolts in holding the lock.

The hardest thing is lining it all back up when you reinstall

Dont have an AU anymore....becuase you say its simple go for it...

[TwistedEL]

Haha maybe if another one goes I will.
Actually I should have taken photos when I installed the auto window ups that would have made a good article

[JC]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

What about a second hand one from the wreckers? It might be cheaper, but I suppose theres a risk of it not lasting as long. But then what caused it to break? Something too tight and not working properly? Needs lubrication somewhere? I had problems with my AU LH rear door lock mechanism but fixed it without requiring parts, after dismantling it (I seem to remember it needed some minor rework -I cant remember exactly now, and lubrication ).

Also on my AU I went around all the window switches and cleaned them all up.
It didnt take long and was satisfying in that it stopped all problems thereafter with the windows.

I got one for my RR door from FTG for $75 including postage, IIRC. That was 12 months ago, and have had no problems at all with it.

I have a supply of late model e-series ones, but they don't fit the AU (typical).

[BLUAU]

Just an update for anyone who may be having similar problems.

I picked up a used but apparently "tested" replacement actuator from a local wreckers yesterday for $65.
Tested?..... yeah right.
It too was in the same state as mine.... broken worm drive, atleast I got a refund though.

Tried a few other nearby wreckers without any luck so I gave Ford spares a call..... new superseeded actuator (I'm guessing its a BA part) is $143 but also requires a wiring loom adaptor at another $12.........

I think I'll just bite the bullet and buy the new part rather than risk a second hand one only lasting a short while.

Regards, Dan

[keenan]

Hello folks.
I have the same problem with my au series 1 xr6 back door. When my car is locked,opening the back left side door, it opens all 4 doors. I see by the threads that i can fix this problem by purchasing a rear door actuator.
My question is - Do i have to buy all 4 door actuators?, as I also had this problem with my old ef and i had to buy 4 door actuators.
Any help is appreciated.
John.

[JC]

You only need to buy one. The AU part has now been superseded by a BA part, and requires a loom adaptor to fit the AU (but this is only relevant if buying new from Ford).

[nikos]

There IS write up on the forum somewhere about fixing the worm gear.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by nikos

There IS write up on the forum somewhere about fixing the worm gear.

Technical Resources found on the above tool bar 3rd from the left.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...article&id=320

[V3RSAC3]

yeaah i got this problem with my 99' AUI Fairmont ... but its the rear right door behind the driver ... sh!t's me off! ...

[goldenchild]

Same here for my ford 99, there is a real trend here

[AUIIISR]

Yea Same here, havent fixed it yet, cause my car dont go far these days, now I no what to do