99 forester S auto trans, 140,000 miles.

 

Are the locks supposed to lock automatically when you start driving. Mine have locked but very seldom.

 

Now, the locks lock at any ole time it feels like it and tries to lock over and over at random intervals. 

 

And, my FOB is not locking the doors after I park and get out. But it locks and tries to unlock (while driving) but does not unlock successfully.

 

Right after the locks lock I hear what sounds like a vvaaccuumm sound, are the locks actuated by vvaaccuumm?

 

There's no pattern to this behavior, not while braking or turning or going, not on bumps or smooth tar.

 

Any ideas?

What happens if you leave your remote at home? i.e. out of range of the car?

I thought it might be the battery in fob, but issue happens fob just hanging in the ignition while driving. I feel like there's a short but where to start looking? tomorrow I'll leave fob at home and see what happens.

Remote has lost its program. Go to cars101.com and see remote section.to reprogram.

Happens when you lose battery connection.

 

O.

I took the battery out and I still have the same results.

 

Are the door locks supposed to lock automatically when the car is put into gear or hits/exceeds a certain mph?

 

Going to cars101.com for ideas.

 

Any one out there suspect that there's a short or a bad door button?

 

Help. It's really annoying and I'm afraid I'll get locked out. My keyholes are crusted up and can't get the key in (like that when I bought it).

So cars101.com tells me how to reset my remote. I do have the owner's manual and it reads identically. Since the battery is removed and I still have the issue, I need more suggestions. Thanks though, it's a cool site I've never been to.

 

anyone?

Door lock timer is going bad. Kinda common. I don't know exactly where it is on the Forester. There may be some better help in google-land on the location.

 

I recall there being an option for automatic locks on some of the later uears, bu I don't think that particular year would have that. If it doesn't say anything about it in the owners manual...

Door lock timer is going bad. Kinda common. I don't know exactly where it is on the Forester. There may be some better help in google-land on the location.

 

I recall there being an option for automatic locks on some of the later uears, bu I don't think that particular year would have that. If it doesn't say anything about it in the owners manual...

Door lock timer? I'll dig into that and see what I can find.

I assume the 1999 provide both manual and power locks, Both are covered in the owners manual.

 

Now I've put a new battery in the fob but cant program it cuz the button is MIA and rest of the button is dangling under the dash. GRRR!

Even with it un-reprogrammed, the locks continue to malfunction. Although it didn't do it for two days, it started again this morning.

 

thanks

I did a bit of googling myself and it seems people have good luck replacing or disassembling and cleaning the door lock switch.

 

On the Legacys of that era the lock timer is behind the dash in the passenger corner. Roughly above/to the right of the blower motor.

It's just a couple relays and an IC in a fancy plastic box. But when it goes bad causes this exact problem.

 

I haven't found any info about location on a 99 forester (or if it even has it).

Its usually a black box a little smaller than a credit car with a sticker on it that says "door lock timer" if you want to look around under the dash and try to spot it.

I found this diagram on the web. item #15 in image.

 

https://subaruparts.com/parts/1999/SUBARU/Forester/S?siteid=218240&vehicleid=724&diagram=7601250&diagramCallOut=15

FIXED

 

Under the steering column, mounted on the dash panel is a small button used to program key fobs and something about valet key. This button must have gotten kicked or something but was broken, button was MIA and the switch was closed most of the time but open when it was bumped or jiggled causing the locks to malfunction.

 

My people tell me that this button was Subaru OE but subbed out to an aftermarket company for installation. I wanted to replace it but was told that Subaru won't have one because of the previous statement and would be rare to find at a salvage yard. Easily purchased at Radio Shack, it's a basic momentary button.

 

I opted to cut the plug off, tape the ends and tuck it under the dash.

Any push to close switch will work.  ACE or Radio shack will have them.

Good find! I wasn't aware that button would make the locks cycle. I've only ever dealt with those for disarming the alarm. Usually I just reconnect the battery with the key on so the horn doesn't blast.

I think I read that it has something to do the factory alarm but I do not have that.

 

I won't replace the momentary switch cuz it may just get damaged again, When I need to program a fob I'll untape the ends and cross the wires til it's done.