I'm a new member and the new owner of a 96 Legacy LS Wagon with 35K miles (no, there is not a digit missing!). Initially, the power locks seldom worked from inside the car, and the door only locked using the remote for the driver door, then hand flipping the buttons on each door. By pressing the lock/unlock from inside the car door repeatedly I have been able to get the locks to work from inside the car. Unfortunately, the remote no longer works at all. Pushing both remote buttons causes the lights to light, as it should. Pushing lock or unlock alone creates the "click lock or unlock sound", but does not actually lock or unlock the door. I have found the programming button and followed the instructions in the manual to reprogram the remote with no change, and I have changed the battery in the remote. The remote is the square type. Am I missing something? Thanks!

I doubt its the remote... since you had to flip the switch inside the car manually, I'm wondering if perhaps something in the linkage broke loose or there might be a loose wire to the control.

I know I don't sound educated on subaru parts.. (haha -I'm a girl for cripes sake!) But flipping the switch manually repeatedly in my 88 messed up the linkage in the door. (off came the door panel and with the help of a little duct tape and luck I got it fixed) I know I didn't have a keyless remote but like I said, I would dare to say its in the door.

I haven't torn into a newer car so I couldn't give you a diagram.

My wife's 96 Legacy Outback does the same pain in the but thing. The remote works on the drivers door all the time and on the other 3 doors and tailgate about 5% of the time.

 

The problem is the contact between the drivers side lock and the "relay" to the other auto mechanisms.

 

You may find if you push hard on the lock on the drivers door it may work and automatically unlock all the other doors.

 

You can be like me and leave it alone because it isn't the car I drive everyday, (unloving husband that I am), or take the door panel off and make adjustments so that when the lock is flipped, it moves all the locks. There is a Subaru part you can get. It is a little square block of metal that has allen screws on it. I have it in the glove box.

 

I am waiting for it to miraculously attatch itself. I have waited 3 years and it hasn't happened yet. Maybe I will wait one more...

 

Greg