Strange Door Lock problem

[redsho]

I've tried searching, but no one seems to have the same problem....

The power door locks sometime works & sometimes doesn't It seems like it is being shorted somewhere. Once it stops working, drive the car around at higher speeds for a few minutes then the power locks work again. It can just stop working randomly w/o any reasonable cause. Where do I begin diagnosing?

 

[jelloslug]

I would start with the switches. Do the locks work with the buttons on the outside?

 

[redsho]

I would start with the switches. Do the locks work with the buttons on the outside?

Replace the switches? There is no buttons/keypad on the outside. Whenever it fails, using the passenger control/switch sometimes triggers it to work again...

 

[jelloslug]

Take your drivers side switch out and see of the connections are corroded. You can also swap the drivers and passengers switches and see if the problem follows the switch.

 

[redsho]

Take your drivers side switch out and see of the connections are corroded. You can also swap the drivers and passengers switches and see if the problem follows the switch.

Another thing to note....
I rarely use the switches at all. I have an aftermarket alarm that I always use to lock & unlock vehicles. When it doesn't lock/unlock, my switches don't work either - so I don't think it's the alarm...

 

[oxrox]

Two words: silicone grease (same stuff for plug wires) - I have to regularly (every year) grease my drivers side window switches as the rear windows stop going up and down from the drivers control. Seems to do the trick for me.

Ryan
95 ATX

 

[redsho]

Two words: silicone grease (same stuff for plug wires) - I have to regularly (every year) grease my drivers side window switches as the rear windows stop going up and down from the drivers control. Seems to do the trick for me.

Ryan
95 ATX

Hmm... interesting. Can I find this stuff at say Wal-mart?

 

[Rockledge]

The silicone grease will help keep out moisture and corrsosion, but you'll want to clean the switches first, maybe spray some electrical contact cleaner on them or whatever else is necessary if you find some corrosion.

Ford's dielectric grease is a good silicone grease, you can find the CRC brand equivalent on any auto parts store shelf.

 

[redsho]

The silicone grease will help keep out moisture and corrsosion, but you'll want to clean the switches first, maybe spray some electrical contact cleaner on them or whatever else is necessary if you find some corrosion.

Ford's dielectric grease is a good silicone grease, you can find the CRC brand equivalent on any auto parts store shelf.

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. I will tackle this project/problem as soon as time permits!