When the driver’s door is unlocked, the remaining door locks on my 1995 Legacy sedan (the passenger and 2 rear doors) will lock/unlock at random. Nothing really seems to set it off, it does it when I’m driving, when stopped, even when it’s just been sitting in the driveway, parked for days. Fortunately, when I lock the driver’s door, the other doors also lock, and as far as I can tell, will not unlock randomly. So security for my parked car has not been an issue. But I don’t feel secure with this anymore.

 

Is there some sort of “main control unit” for the door locks that is responsible for sending the signal to the actuators to lock/unlock? I’m thinking something like this is at fault. Where is it located?

 

EDIT: There is no keyless system on this vehicle, so rule that out.

Edited September 9, 200916 yr by lazerfloyd

I'd pull the door panel and check the wiring going to the lock. Sounds like it's grounding out.

I suspect that the driver side door lock switch has dirty contacts.

I suspect that the driver side door lock switch has dirty contacts.

 

ditto

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check into these things and clean the contacts, and report findings.

 

-Matt

My '95 OBW does the exact same thing. Locks randomly. So far it has never unlocked itself at random and always locks / unlocks when requested. I suspect the lock portion of the switch, but haven't ever taken it apart since its a minor inconvience.

 

FWIW I recently took apart my '89 window switch to jury rig a broken part, and springs and teeny contacts flew everywhere. If you do dive into it, spread out a clean sheet over your work surface to catch the little buggers

I suggest you use a clear plastic bag to take the switch apart in.

I have the same problem!!!!!

 

This just started happening.. and the fun part is I think I traced it down to where it's at.. I found it by random if you shut the glove box I can lock my doors sometimes if the doors are already locked and driving you can hear the doors sometimes trying to lock it's self again when it's already locked..

 

I thought it was the door too but something behind my glove box is shorting the power door locks which does not makes sense to me.

I think the vibration is traveling to the door lock switch. Try tapping near the switch and see if it is more sensitive there.

I think the vibration is traveling to the door lock switch. Try tapping near the switch and see if it is more sensitive there.

Passenger side since it seems to be effected by the glove box? I have a almost 100% success rate of getting the locks to work again by slamming the glove box shut.

 

Speaking of that On the 95 Models if I lock or unlock the passenger side should it unlock all the doors as well or is that just for the drivers side?

Just the driver's door works all door locks. There is a simple switch on the latch in the door, it only senses the driver's door being locked or unlocked and tells the rest to follow suit. It is fairly small, less than 2x2, can be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled.

I have the same problem!!!!!

 

This just started happening.. and the fun part is I think I traced it down to where it's at.. I found it by random if you shut the glove box I can lock my doors sometimes if the doors are already locked and driving you can hear the doors sometimes trying to lock it's self again when it's already locked..

 

I thought it was the door too but something behind my glove box is shorting the power door locks which does not makes sense to me.

 

Hmmm, that is an interesting situation on your car. On mine, the locking/unlocking seems more random. Hitting a bump or slamming something inside doesn't necessarily set it off. I have had the car parked for a few days out in the driveway, and was doing stuff in the yard nearby, not touching it, not doing anything at all to the car, hadn't done anything to the car for days, and I could hear the locks randomly locking/unlocking.

 

I haven't gotten the chance to look into my problem yet. Busy hectic week. Hopefully I get to it this weekend, after I address my wife's SUS knock sensor issue. Also have big transmission problems with my Outback that I'm going to start another post about soon. I love these cars, for the most part they've been trouble-free for me, but man, when it rains, it pours.

Speaking of that On the 95 Models if I lock or unlock the passenger side should it unlock all the doors as well or is that just for the drivers side?

 

Just the driver's door controls the other locks.

 

EDIT: Sorry 2.5GL! I didn't realize you answered this, and I don't know how to delete my post!

My weekend is going to be a bit busy too so I don't know if I will be able to get to it this weekend or not.. I had no issues with it this morning or coming back from work.