I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CARS!!!

I've had some issues with my locks in the past. Someone tried to break into my car a few years ago & since then, when I would lock my car, the alarm would randomly go off & the locks would randomly lock & unlock themselves while I was driving.

I'll lead with this, I never really lock my car when I run errands (only when I'm at home).

Well, a couple of days ago, I went to open my trunk & it was locked (which I found odd). I opened the car door & clicked the lock/unlock button & it unlocked the doors & trunk.

Well, a day after that, the same thing happened with my trunk being locked & when I clicked the lock/unlock button, it wouldn't unlock. So, pretty much, I'm scared to lock my doors in fear of not being able to gain entry! I need to use my trunk! As you all know, Crossfires aren't the most roomy cars so every inch counts!

I read another thread about someone who spilled a bunch of water in their trunk & it could have cause problems with their locks. A couple of days before the issues started happening, a couple gallons of water spilled in my trunk.


HELP!!!!

 

Did you click the unlock button twice which unlocks the passenger door and trunk? One click is the drivers door.

 

The module that actuates the locks is in the trunk under the styrofoam.

 

Bill F, yes I have tried that. The only way I can unlock the passanger door is to use the handle from the inside.

Rekcah, I have no idea what that means! I'm sorry, like I said I know nothing about cars other than that they have 4 wheels & require gas!

Thanks, y'all!!

 

You may need to solicit the assistance of someone who knows a little bit about cars and preferrably someone who knows Crossfires.

A couple things. As Rekcah noted, the mechanism that controls the locks is located in the trunk. You have to lift the liner (easy to do) and you'll see a bunch of black formed styrofoam that houses some tools and the tire pump. Under that styrofoam is the equipment that actuates the locks. If you lift that foarm out carfully, see ithe there is still water in the trunk. If so, dry it out and see if that cures the problems. If not, it could be the system needs repair or replacement.

Other items to check are the fueses (locatd in the fuse panel - check the owners manual) and possibly the switch itself. However, if the remote also fails to work the locks it's more likely the actuater in the trunk or the fures.

Food luck. Do a search on here and there is likely a tutorial to fixing this issue.

 

The locks are all air pressure/vacuum operated, and the pump for that is located below the floor of the trunk on the passenger side all wrapped in gray foam.
The issue has been that any leaks into the trunk area tends to soak this pump and it's associated electronics, thereby causing erratic behavior.
I's a good idea to dig into the trunk and located the unit, and try your best to dry it out.

 

Mystery solved - you got water in the WRONG place. (Just as several others have told you.) I carry Windex and detail spray in my trunk, and always worry about this. And for this reason, I have them in a small cardboard box that is lined with heavy plastic.


You will very likely need a new central locking pump. You can TRY drying it out, but I'd bet you will need a new pump.

The alternative is to disable the pump so it NEVER locks you out of your car. With the complicated interaction between the security systems of the car, that may not be as easy as it sounds, but it is an idea.

 

Thank you all SO much for the advice. There's just one problem, I can't seem to unlock my trunk. I'm scared to try unlocking it manually (door handle) in fear that I will lock it & not be able to unlock it. I'll have to wait until I can have someone sit in my car while I attempt to lock/unlock my car just in case I'm not able to unlock it .. So they'd be able to open the car door in order for if to unlock. I'll keep y'all posted!! Thanks again!!

 

Also, does anybody know the rough estimate of the pump if I do need to replace it? I'm bracing myself for a monetary heart attack.

 

OK, sit down and get the oxygen and defibrillator handy.
The new price for the pump is $450 to $600, used are about $150 to $300 on eBay.
They can be rebuilt, that does not make them any cheaper than used though, it puts them at the $400 level.

 

Okay, I need some fresh air after hearing that!! Is it recommended to purchase them used? Honestly, I'm SO over my Crossfire & am actually looking to trade it in within the next few months for something of equal value. I am just trying to figure out if I should spend more $ or less since I will be trading it in. Y'all are great!

 

Okay, I need some fresh air after hearing that!! Is it recommended to purchase them used? Honestly, I'm SO over my Crossfire & am actually looking to trade it in within the next few months for something of equal value. I am just trying to figure out if I should spend more $ or less since I will be trading it in. Y'all are great!

 

Well there is still water in the trunk at this point.. Mark.. got any photos of that rubber plug that needs a hole put in it since the trunk won't open at this point?

What part of Texas? There are some friendly Texans on this board..might talk into some help..

 

Update: I tried using the key in the door to lock/unlock the doors & trunk .. The only lock that would lock/unlock was the drivers side lock - no action on the passenger side or the trunk. I looked in the manual to see if there's an emergency latch to pull in the trunk (you know, should someone lock me in it) & it said there was a glow in the dark pull thing .. But there's not. It appeared that pull is for the convertible CF's & I drive a coupe. Idk if I have the wrong manual or what. Anybody know if there's one in the coupes? Idk how anybody would be able to work on it without being able to get the trunk open .. Thoughts? Thanks again for y'alls help. Oh & in the DFW area.

 

See this post on the troubles this member had, his was light problems, but the cause is the same - water in the trunk.
This problem can occur when the yellow plastic lines to one or more locks become brittle and break, in which case you should be able to hear a slight hissing noise when the lock buttons are pushed.
Here's a pic of the trunk showing pump and plug.

 

I've never owned a coupe. If the Roadster trunk jams, you just open the top enough to crawl into the trunk and work on it upside down on your back. I had to do that when my Roadsters electric lock jammed.

But the coupe is a totally different design....

Miata - not sure what you are referring to.

 

Hell, coupe, roadster - idk what the hell mine is. I just knew it was "cute" & 5 minutes later I was signing on the dotted line. I found this on a site. Sound familiar or does anybody know what they're referring to??:

There is a manual release for the trunk lock from the exterior of the car. It is located behind the license plate lamp assembly. The tech accessed the trunk from the exterior of the car via that route.

 

Thinking about it.. maybe it was Graphite Ghost that mentioned there are two rubber plugs on the bottom of the car in the trunk area..use an exacto blade and slit for water drainage.. I've got some pics of I think Andrews car with the bumper cover removed.. there is one little hole in the metal pan behind the bumper.. think you would have to know what your doing if that is the access point for "manual" release..

 

This is all so disheartening. I can't understand why y'all love Crossfires so much. Mine has been trouble since I drove it off the lot 4.5 years ago! Hopefully when I take it to the shop (there's no way I can do the repairs myself), they won't take my arm & leg! I know how expensive the work can be on them. I feel like I've almost invested as much in repairs & whatnot as I did to buy the damn thing.

 

Probably because we didn't buy yours.