I finally got my drivers side handle the other day and go it installed. Its amazing being able to open that door now.

anyways I was wondering about the doors locking from the outside.

If I get out and lock the door from the passengers side, both lock, but If I lock the door from the drivers side, only the drivers side locks.

Is it supposed to be this way or is something not right, out of sync, etc.

it wouldn't bother me to go to the passengers side to lock the door, especially since it would only be when I have passengers with me, but I wanted to know whether or not it was correct

 

Not right. Each door lock actuator also serves as a switch to operatre the actuator on the other side.

Cheers
DD

 

thank youuuuu

anyone know how to fix this??
Ill look into it later but I don't feel like taking door panels off today..

 

It'll probably mean replacing the actuator BUT sometimes the linakges need adjusting or there's a connection problem.

What year XJS are we talking about?

Do you have a 12v test light or meter?

Cheers
DD

 

its an 88'. I can lock both doors from the passenger side but on the driver's side it only locks the drivers door if that tells you anything.

and yes, I do have a test light and a meter

 

We'll start with the easiest possibility.....adjustment.

Being an '88 you'll have the round Lucas solenoids rather than the later Kiekert motors. That's good.

Anyhow....

Pull the door trim and observe how a link road goes from the latch forward to the solenoid...which is sorta buried in the door. Work the link rod back and forth with your hand and see if the locks operate. You may have to disconnect the rod to get enough movement or "throw".

If the locks operate by manually moving the rod....

.... loosen the solenoid...2 bolts....so it'll slide back and forth. Put your key in the door lock and turn it so it's in the neutral position, vertical. Now slide the solenois back and forth a wee bit. In one direction it should lock the doors, and then unlock in the other direction. You're looking for the "sweet spot" just in the middle. It only takes a few moments to find it. Make sure the rod and key lock don't move while doing this.

Once you find the sweet spot of the adjustment tighten the solenoid bolts and try operating the locks with the door key. They should work. If not, examine the lock cylinder and the lock cylinder rod ...and any other linakges....for any looseness that would cause a lack of "throw".

I can't remember the details of all the linkage rods but hopefully you get the idea: when to turn the lock with your key there has to be enough throw to actuate the solenoid....which in turn sends voltage to the opposite door solenod.

If none of this pans out .....

You should have 12v at all times on the purple wire going into the solenoid.
The black wire is constant ground.
The orange/white (lock) and orange/blue (unlock) are output voltage to the opposite door and should alternate voltage when the solenoid is operated by hand. If you have voltage going in on the purple wire but none coming out, the solenoid is faulty.

If you don't have voltage on the purple wire check conenctions inside the door and at the base of the A-pillar behind the kick panel

Good luck
DD

 

if it doesn't rain I may check this out tomorrow. I appreciate it