power locks not working

[justice]

the power door locks in my 04 have stopped working. They try to lock and unlock, but they just dont. the are still getting power and i can hear them click, but its almost like they are not getting enough power to actually lock or unlock the doors. and its not just one door, it is both of the front doors. They went from working one day to not working the next. Not sure where to start troubleshooting.

[doyoulikeithere]

Did they even make Astros after about 1990 without power door-locks power windows?

I know how frustrating that is, and that this doesn't help at all, but I was curious if such a thing even exists?

[97CargoCrawler]

I'd look for broken wires between the door and the body. It's possible the conductors are broken inside the wire jacket. They may pass enough voltage to make the electromagnets in the actuator make a noise, but lack the current carrying capability to actually cycle the mechanism. The broken ends of the wire might touch and allow some electricity to flow but cant provide a path for the "umph" needed to make it go.

I found 5 broken wires between my door and the body this evening.

[MountainManJoe]

Mine act up in the winter as well. Either the battery is weak or the locks just need lube. Or the wire thingy Cargo said.

[HPbyStan]

I'm betting on the winter thing. My '04 Cargo is starting to act up a bit. If I cycle the thing manually a couple times, the electronic can then work just fine. The 1st time manually they move really hard. I think dirty grease getting cold is my doors problem.

[Mark C.]

I think 97cargocrawler is on point on this one. I have a buddy that is a GM master mechanic and claims this is a common problem with astro/safaris. He also tells me the wiring goes through the driver door first then through the passenger,so a bad connection in the driver door will affect the passenger door control.

[HPbyStan]

I think 97cargocrawler is on point on this one. I have a buddy that is a GM master mechanic and claims this is a common problem with astro/safaris. He also tells me the wiring goes through the driver door first then through the passenger,so a bad connection in the driver door will affect the passenger door control.

That sure was a problem on Gen 1 vans. Seems everyone I bought used had that problem, it isn't common on Gen 2s though. 97 Crawler is the only one I personally heard of.

[97CargoCrawler]

If GM used this stiff crappy wire in all years of this van then I suspect everyone will have this problem eventually.



The door lock actuator does use a heavier gauge wire in the door harness. Those were the only wires NOT broken in mine. Though they are stiffer...it's possible some of the conductors inside the wire jacket are broken. I didn't look. I suspect they are. Seems logical they would have suffered some damage since the other wires are completely severed.

You can always pull the boot back and have a quick peek inside.

[infinite.chris]

I agre. My 89 had manual locks / windows, the 95 has power lock, not pwr windows. Kinda wish it was flip flipped ;) ;)

Did they even make Astros after about 1990 without power door-locks power windows?

I know how frustrating that is, and that this doesn't help at all, but I was curious if such a thing even exists?

[juan]

I have a 2004 and the two front door locks doesn't work, I didn't see a cable cut, and i does make the click noise. did anyone that had this problem have a good advise? Thanks

[Drummernaut]

I have a 2004 and the two front door locks doesn't work, I didn't see a cable cut, and i does make the click noise. did anyone that had this problem have a good advise? Thanks

I had a similar problem with my door locks working, not working and doing other strange things. I will try and help. Start by checking this post viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9031

If you have a liftgate/dutch doors this could be your problem if not I still may be able to walk you through a few steps depending on what problem you have.

[steinec]

I'm going to offer the likely culprit-the actuator solenoids. I recently got a great '04 and the first order of business was replacing the 2 front door units, they both acted like they were trying to actuate, moved just a bit but no oomph; When I got my '02 3 years ago it was the same thing. I also have had to clean the 2 contacts on the sliding door to deal with that lock as well as the cabin lighting staying on. I've never had a broken wiring issue on the half dozen stro's I've owned, but I know others have. The best source I've found for the actuators is Rockauto.com, p/n 746014, $23.79 ea..

[Leconte]

Did they even make Astros after about 1990 without power door-locks power windows?

I know how frustrating that is, and that this doesn't help at all, but I was curious if such a thing even exists?

mine is 01' with no power =(