How to Open a Locked Gmc Truck Door

When the first generation of the Sierra was introduced in 1999 by General Motors, many people were awed at the impressive features of this pickup truck.

Its rugged build was impressive and so was its performance both on and off-road.

Two decades later, the GMC Sierra is amongst the top 5 most popular trucks with the company selling at least one hundred and fifty thousand of these units per year.

Despite being so big and powerful, the GMC Sierra has some faults. This is very common with all car models and brands.

After all, no human being is perfect. Today, we are going to look into some of the door lock problems associated with the GMC Sierra.

The objective of this article is to familiarize GMC owners with some of the issues they are likely to face and solutions they can use to fix these problems.

1. Doors Not Responding to the Electric Lock or Unlock Function

We all have to agree that our car doors face a lot of hostility. They are opened and closed, locked and unlocked several times in a day. This extended use is the leading cause of most door lock issues.

The first and perhaps the most common GMC Sierra door lock problem is the failure of the electric lock and unlock function.

This is a problem that affects all car models and such issues usually arise due to faulty actuators.

For those who may not be familiar with what actuators are, these are machines that are responsible for controlling the locking and unlocking mechanism.

With time, the actuator becomes faulty and that's when you may realize resistance in the locking and unlocking mechanism.

As you will see later on, other than a non-responsive lock or unlock function, the actuator can cause many other issues in your Sierra door.

Back to the problem at hand, if the lock or unlock function isn't operating as it once did, there are two culprits. It could be a dead key fob or a failing actuator.

To rule out that a dead key fob is not the problem, if only one door isn't responding to the electric lock or unlock, then the actuator in that door is faulty.

If it's a dead key fob, replacing the battery should solve the problem right away. However, if the actuator is to blame, there is no other option than to replace it. You can get an actuator for your GMC Sierra at the nearest dealer or auto shop.

Unfortunately, should the electric door lock function stop working completely, you may be dealing with broken wires. You will need the help of a mechanic to fix such an issue.

2. Faulty Door Lock Switch

A faulty switch is most likely to affect one door. It is on very rare occasions that you find several switches not working all at once.

A faulty door lock switch is a little bit more complex than the above issue. And most GMC Sierra owners don't realize that they are dealing with a faulty switch at first.

Most struggle with replacing actuators and looking for broken wires only to later find that the switch is damaged.

The same approach you would use on faulty actuators is the one you should with a dead switch. It has to be replaced with a new one.

In most cases, faulty door lock switches don't affect new Sierras. Older models that have been driven for longer are likely to have faulty switches.

Although GMC is a reputable brand, most of these switches are cheaply made.

And that's why you may end up facing some issues with locking a door on your pickup. If the driver or passenger door stops locking or unlocking, having the switch replaced can solve your problem.

3. Door Locking or Unlocking on Its Own

This is another problem that GMC Sierra owners have encountered in the past. It is more common in 2014 and 2015 models.

The above problem occurs when one unlocks all the doors with a fob or keyless control. Only for one door to lock itself immediately, it unlocks.

When you notice this on your Sierra, know that it is not possessed, but you have a failing actuator.

On the door that is behaving in this manner, look for the actuator and replace it with a new one. This problem should be solved right away.

When Do These Door Lock Issues Start to Occur?

Obviously, in a new GMC Sierra, you are unlikely going to experience these door lock problems. And should you encounter any of these, take the vehicle back to the dealer and have them fix these issues.

Door lock problems in most Sierra's start to occur when the vehicle reaches the 15,000-mile mark.

Depending on how you take care of your GMC Sierra, you may run into slight issues such as temporary jamming of the electric door lock and unlock feature.

Door lock issues on Sierras are more rampant when you buy a used model, especially one that had been handled roughly by the previous owner.

Door lock mechanisms are an essential part of our cars. And habits such as the heavy banging of the doors can physically affect the lock mechanisms and cause some of the problems listed above.

What are the Effects of Faulty Door Locks on a GMC Sierra?

Driving around a Sierra with door lock issues is very risky. Should the door fail to lock properly, you or the passengers are at risk of the door opening accidentally when you are driving.

Secondly, faulty door locks make your car vulnerable to theft. If the car doors are left unlocked, people can easily get inside the car and steal valuable or even the car itself.

Therefore, if you have noticed issues with your car door locks, as soon as possible, find out the cause of the problem and fix it.

How Do I Identify GMC Sierra Door Lock Issues?

Considering how severe most of these issues are, it shouldn't be a problem for you to diagnose them.

If the doors aren't responding to the electric lock or unlock commands, this is something you will take note of right away. And so are the other problems that affect Sierra door locks.

Before rushing to take apart the door panel, the first thing you need to do when troubleshooting door lock problems on a GMC is assessing the condition of the key fob.

In most cases, a dead key fob will affect how the lock mechanism of your doors. After confirming that the key fob is working as it should be, look for other causes such as a failed actuator or lock switch.

Once you realize that the GMC Sierra has door lock problems, always lock the car manually when you are parking it.

This is to prevent theft. And if you have the technical know-how, open the door panel and look for the actuators then replace it.

Alternatively, you can have the damaged parts replaced by a mechanic. The good thing is that most dealers certified by General Motors Truck Company can fix these door lock issues for you.

What Should I Know about the GMC Sierra Door Lock Actuator?

The door lock actuator on your car is the leading cause of most door lock problems. And when it stops working, brace yourself for experiencing tons of inconvenience.

Clicking a button will always beat juggling keys any day. The latter is what you have to go through when the actuator in your GMC door stops working.

Fortunately, replacing the GMC Sierra door lock actuator is very easy because these parts are easily available. All you have to do is buy one and install it.

Other Reasons Why the Door Locks in Your GMC are Not Working

The actuator is not the only culprit if your door locks are not working. Though it is the main reason why door locks begin malfunctioning, there are other causes that you need to confirm before replacing the actuator.

Your door locks may stop working if;

• The key fob battery is dead. If you realize that the key fob is working on and off, the battery is almost dying, and replacing it should solve the problems right away.

• After years of use, the key fob may start malfunctioning. In such cases, you should take it back to the dealer who will either reprogram or give you a replacement.

• At times a blown fuse could also cause the door lock to stop working. Replacing a blown fuse is easy and inexpensive.

• A bad door lock solenoid. This doesn't happen frequently. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. A solenoid contains a coil of wire that converts electrical energy into mechanical work. It will need to be replaced if it is the cause.

• Finally, we have broken wires. These transport electricity. And should they be broken, then the electrical lock or unlock command won't work. The door can only be locked or unlocked physically. In the case of broken wires, you have to find the broken wire and fix it.

Identifying and fixing door lock problems by yourself requires knowledge that can only be acquired through research.

Feel free to use the above guide to find the cause of door lock problems in your GMC Sierra and fix them.

However, if the door locking system appears to be too complicated, don't go digging through the wires and latches. This may cause more problems. It's better to have a professional inspect it for you.

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How to Open a Locked Gmc Truck Door

Source: https://www.cherishyourcar.com/gmc-sierra-door-lock-problems/

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