Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Door Lock Relay

If the power door locks are intermittent or not working at all, you may need to replace the door lock relay.

Power door locks are a feature that has almost become a standard feature on many newer vehicles. They make it easier to lock your car doors by pressing a button on your key fob or inside your car. Door locks are electronically controlled and, as is the case with many other automotive electrical circuits, they are powered through relays.

The door lock relay is the relay responsible for supplying power to the door lock actuators so that they can lock and unlock the vehicle. When a relay fails or has problems, it can cause problems with the door locks. Usually, a faulty or failing door lock relay causes several symptoms that can alert the driver to a potential problem that needs to be addressed.

Electric door locks work intermittently

One of the first symptoms of a possible problem with the door lock relay is door locks that work intermittently. If the door lock relay has any internal or wiring issues, it can cause the door locks to intermittently work. Door locks can work correctly one moment and then stop working the next. This can cause inconvenience to the driver when trying to lock or unlock the vehicle.

Electric door locks not working

Power door locks not working are another common sign of a door lock relay problem. If the power door lock relay fails, it will cut off power to the entire power door lock system and may cause them not to function properly. In vehicles equipped with door lock cylinders, the door can still be opened with the key. However, vehicles without door lock cylinders will not be able to lock or unlock the doors until power is restored.

For vehicles with door lock cylinders and traditional style keys, a faulty power door lock relay will simply disable the power door lock function. However, for vehicles without door lock cylinders, this can make entry into the vehicle difficult, if not impossible, if the doors cannot be unlocked due to a faulty relay. If your power door lock system is experiencing any problems, or you suspect your relay may be the problem, have your vehicle checked by a professional technician such as AvtoTachki to determine if your vehicle needs a door lock relay replacement.