jeepus911

hello all!

I have researched and read all of the posts I can find about problems with the electronic door locks, mine seems unique. The door locks on my truck wont stay locked. I hit the button on remote (it has new batteries) and both doors lock and then immediately unlock, same problem when operating with the switch. I read in the owners manual that the truck will automatically unlock the doors if the lights are on or the keys are left in the ignition,but neither of these conditions apply when I'm having this problem. Also the dome light and map lights in the console don"t work at all, these problems started at the same time. coincidence? I have pulled the inner door panels off and cleaned the switches and also tried unplugging the actuators on either door, one at a time and still had the same problem so I'm thinking the problem is upstream of the switches. Thanks for reading, (and hopefully responding)

SIXSLUG

What year truck?

Fill out your sig so we know.

whiskers

If it's 24 valve it may be in the Body Control Module under the dash to the right of the steering column. It controls all those functions.

jeepus911

sorry, new here, and new to these trucks. It's a '97 4x4 long bed club cab.

SIXSLUG

Its all good, just helps us help you!

Even though you cleaned the door switches, they can still be bad. My truck had a bad drivers switch due to moisture invasion and kept setting off the security feature.

replacement fixed the problem and the new switches, at least for my year are water resistant.

whiskers

Yeah, i don't know if the '97 had the BCM module. Might show up in a manual. if it has one I bet it has something to do with it.it should show up on diagnostic scanner tool.

SIXSLUG

Are you sure your truck will unlock the door if the lights or key is on?

My 02 Chevy did that, but I don't think my Dodge does, and its a loaded rig from the factory.

jeepus911

Thinking out loud here... their is five wires to the switch, one of those wires comes from the bcm and is telling the switch to unlock the door, if i isolate that wire and disconnect it will that stop the problem? Or will it cause other problems too? I think ill try replacing the switch. Then if that doesnt work ill try the disconnect. Will the switches from 2000 work in a 97? They have the auto roll down feature and i believe are backlit. My dad has a 2000 and i could probably borrow the switch for the test and if it works i could get one for that year and upgrade while repairing. Thanks for reading/responding opinions and shared expieriences are much appreciated.

SIXSLUG

Different switch.

My BIL 97 had an aftermarket alarm that had been installed then disconnected. He used to drive around with the key in the door so he wouldn't get locked out if he left the truck. They would lock and unlock as he drove around on their own.

You used to be able to do that in Montana, nobody would mess with it then.

patdaly

Some did, my Brownie that came with factory key FOB had the BCM and Greenie doesn't. Both are/were loaded SLT's with stickers over 33K.

And I seem to remember there was something on Brownie that would unlock the locks if you tried, key in perhaps? All I remember is, she would refuse to stay locked with some combination it didn't like.