Power Locks on 98 windstar

cdngirlsrock1964 · 11-09-2007, 12:34 PM

Hey, just joined the forum. I need to know what is happening with the power locks. It started last nite, the problem is: the van will not lock and I am hearing the motors run in each of the doors, driver, passenger, side and back. I haven't had too much trouble, just with the side door, I have to hit the lock and unlock a couple of times in the past in order for it to work. Then yesterday, it was locking on its own. Then last nite, this new problem started with the noise or running of the power locks in the doors. Does anyone have a solution. I can make it stop on my door (drivers) by manually pushing the button down.
HELP PLEASE...

catdan8 · 06-18-2008, 04:11 AM

It sound like the contacts on some of the doors may need cleaning. I prefer a pencil eraser and a rag with alcohol to clean the contacts.

catdan8

BroncoJoe19 · 06-18-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catdan8

It sound like the contacts on some of the doors may need cleaning. I prefer a pencil eraser and a rag with alcohol to clean the contacts.

catdan8

WHat contacts are you referring to?
How does one get to them?

catdan8 · 06-23-2008, 02:33 AM

The contacts in the 2000 version are located on the door posts and when the doors close the matching spring loaded contacts in the door meet up with them. They are metalish looking. Ours has four of them per door. Hope this helps.

vindctar · 06-23-2008, 03:00 AM

You mean on the sliding doors???

Quote:

Originally Posted by catdan8

The contacts in the 2000 version are located on the door posts and when the doors close the matching spring loaded contacts in the door meet up with them. They are metalish looking. Ours has four of them per door. Hope this helps.

russ1960 · 06-24-2008, 05:56 PM

My locks on my 98 just started going up and down on their own - I had to pull the fuse to stop them - any ideas why they keep going up and down?

mark v · 06-25-2008, 08:38 AM

If you have a bad lock actuator in one of the doors it may be so weak it isnt locking or unlocking fully and giving a bad signal and making them all react to it, this is just a guess.

The 2 locks to fail the most is the Drivers door and sliding door/door's.

Some very light sandpaper or good eraser can clean the contacts on the side door/door's. For the drivers door it will need a new lock actuator or if you are lucky like I was the bracket just broke and I added a new screw.

vindctar · 06-25-2008, 09:54 AM

Soft steel wool or scotch brite (dishwashing kinds) also works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark v

.....
Some very light sandpaper or good eraser can clean the contacts......

mark v · 06-25-2008, 10:31 AM

What I use is sandpaper and some Dielectric grease. I recommended the post I posted above cause most wont have the Dielectric Grease and some might go crazy sanding the contacts off.

I only sand till they shine and then stop.

(Another Good Tip not related)

I also use 0000 grade Steel Wool and Automotive Glass Cleaner to clean my Windows, nope it wont scratch them, however most mirrors are plastic and 0000 grade Steel Wool will damage them.

algebrababy · 06-30-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russ1960

My locks on my 98 just started going up and down on their own - I had to pull the fuse to stop them - any ideas why they keep going up and down?

We just replaced the fuse in ours today to try the suggestions listed by others and everything is working fine now. The fuse has been out for two years because the central/power locks wasn't that big a deal to us. You might want to try just putting the fuse back in and clean the contacts too.