So I'm going to try being as descriptive as possible. When I lock my door with the key, you can hear the door locking then unlocking for a few seconds before actually "locking". On the other hand the passenger door just flat out doesn't lock. when you manually push the interior door handle in to lock, it has the same outcome. As far as using the key fob, I don't have one so I'm not sure but it would probably be the same as above. Putting the car in Drive doesn't engage the auto locks either. Would this be a job for an auto electrician or a mechanic? P.S. yesterday when trying to use the key to lock, it set the alarm off

 

What year car?

Do you get a "Passenger Door Open" warning (and red light) while driving?

 

Spray both door lock mechanisms with WD40 and spray to the inside. After spraying operate the door several times by opening and closing to work the lubrication in. The door lock has 3 micro switches inside and what we are finding is that the mechanisms are overlooked when it comes to lubrication.

 

It's a 2000, and no nothing on the dash. This ones really got me stumped

 

I had a similar issue one day and couldn't figure it out, then when coming out of a store I noticed that the top latch was still up. The top was down, but I must not have completed the cycle. Once I held the top switch down to drop the latch, everything went back to normal.

 

On European spec XK8's 'drive away' locking is a dealer programmable option - can be activated/deactivated for owner preference. One of my XK8's had it set ON and the other had it set OFF. Not sure if it's the same option with US spec models.

I agree with others on the microswitches. Sounds like the early symptoms of a failure.

Graham

 

Agree too, did some research on the forum and the microswitch seems the most likely.

 

I doubt the microswitch is it. I think the failure is the lock actuator in the passenger door latch. The simple fact that lock is not pulled in when the car is locked, will cause the other lock to "bounce" as you described. It can't signal it's locked if it is never pulled to the lock position.

Good luck!

 

Appreciate it! That makes the most sense, Just dropped it off at the mechanic for this and a few other little things so fingers crossed

 

Hi

Today i dropped a passenger at the traffic light so he unlocked his door (i was in D and being an european spec i have that lock option on). Then a circus of locking/unlocking started, pretty much like you're describing. Trying to close it with the remote set off the alarm. When trying to lock the door from behind the other one stayed opened. Finally i managed to somehow lock it but i was curious if you dropped it at the mechanic and what he did

Thank you

 

I recently had a passenger door that refused to believe it was closed. The Car couldn't be locked and a very annoying red Light was constantly staring at me while driving. I ordered some new micro switches, but also took Gus' advice and sprayed a little WD40 around in there. The new switches have come in, but I hadn't had a chance to swap them out before the door finally came to its senses and realized it was actually closed. No more red light, and I can lock the car again. Nice. Someday, I supposed I'll install those new switches, but not today. Thanks Gus.