Car won't let me in!

bobs-sts-v · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-08, 01:24 PM

Here is a new one. Started yesterday. Touch the driver's side door handle, all doors unlock, except no matter how hard - or soft - I pull on the door handle, the freakin' door won't open! All other doors work fine. You can open it from the inside with no problem. I have to walk around to the passenger door, reach across and "open" the unlocked door, then walk back around to get in (since there is NO WAY I am climbing over the center console!). Strangely, it doesn't do it every time. But when it happens, the door will not open.
Any one else ever have this problem? Ewill - this one ever cross your desk before in either the V or the standard STS?
Bob

WillySTS · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-08, 06:26 PM

I've seen it before, the drivers door handle antenna is not picking you up. Try you other key fob just to be sure it isn't your key fob.

ewill3rd · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-08, 10:15 PM

Could be the door handle itself.
There was a bulletin on some STS models that covered it.
If you can put a pattern to it and take it to the dealer they should be able to fix it.
I think we have to get the handles painted and swap them out.

The inside handles work on cables I think, but the outside is a couple of switches that tell the computer to open the door based on the location of the transmitter.

It could be that the reciever is not picking them up, but it sounds to me like it is but the car doesn't see the input from the door handle.

Ahhh... it is PI, lists for '05 but it shows a test your dealer should be able to run. Sounds like an outside handle if I were to guess.

Quote:

#PIC3343A: Front Door Does Not Open From the Outside Handle - keywords latch lock release RKE unlatch unlock - (Jun 30, 2005)

Subject: Front Door Does Not Open From the Outside Handle

Models: 2005 Cadillac STS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
When diagnosing a 2005 Cadillac STS with a front door that will not open from the outside door handle, eSI Document ID # 1522381 for the driver door, and eSI Document ID # 1522385 for the passenger door, do not properly check the operation of the unlatch switch located in the outside door handle.

Recommendation/Instructions:
The outside front door handles contain a lift switch and an unlatch switch. The Tech 2 only displays the lift switch state. When performing step 2 of either eSI Document ID # 1522381 (driver door) or eSI Document ID # 1522385 (passenger door), the Technician will also need to check the unlatch switch operation by disconnecting the door module and checking for continuity to ground on connector C1 terminal 13 when the outside door handle is pulled and no continuity to ground when the handle is released. If switch operation is incorrect, inspect the door handle wiring for an open or short, if ok, replace the outside door handle housing with the attached part number.

bobs-sts-v · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-08, 11:51 AM

Thanks again, ewill3rd. You hit the nail on the head.

Printed your response and will take it with me when I take it in. Seems to only happen when it has rained. Definitely NOT the fob, since all the doors unlock (audible).

Bob

ewill3rd · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-08, 08:45 PM

Good luck, let us know what they find!

1fstkde · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-08, 11:16 PM

could be worse..I was at the car wash and closed the car door with the keys in the cup holder and the doors locked!! with the engine running!! was embarrassing until I called on star and they opened the doors..good recovery...but what a freak accident..that should never happen.

ewill3rd · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-08, 09:53 AM

Be careful about leaving the transmitter inside the car, there are some "dead spots" inside the cabin where the antennas will not read the location of the transmitter.
This kind of thing has happened to a few guys in our shop, including my helpers... OnStar has helped us out a few times too.
Otherwise you have to have the mechanical key to get in.

bobs-sts-v · #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 02:22 PM

So it happened again. This time it seems permanent. Dealer did something last time (back in March) that seemed to correct it, but I guess not. Stopped by on the way home last night and they ordered both parts - door handle and receiver. Goofy that they have to paint the door handle - there aren't that many colors for the V out there. Rear door handle comes painted, but not the front. Huh? Let you know what the real culprit was; dealer seemed on top of it, and said he had it happen to another STS, so they have dealt with this scenario before. I gave him copy of the forum post anyway (thanks again, ewill3rd).

Bob

link5817 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 05:44 PM

I have been having the same problem (sts'05) for the past several weeks; was bad enough on the driver side...but has now migrated to the passenger side as well.
I was about to take it to the dealer, but dealer said (on the phone) that they had never heard of it and that I would have to leave a $150 deposit for them to remove the door panel to investigate.
I am now going to cancel my appt and wait to see what you find out.
Thanks,
Steve

link5817 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 06:04 PM

ps my dealer also "informs me" that "#PIC3343A" or "#C3343A" does not correspond to any known cadillac service bulletin
- any ideas about how I might get them to find this info in whatever system they are using??
Thanks,
Steve

WillySTS · #11 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 06:09 PM

Strangely enough, I was even having the proplem for a time, but sometimes the car would not see my key fob even when trying to start the car. So, I did the obvious 1st step...I changed the battery in the key fob...the problem seems to have gone away.

ggs14u · #12 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 08:04 PM

Same problem here on my '05 sts. The car detects the FOB is near and unlocks all the doors but the driver door won't open. Started a few months ago intermittently but now it happens every time. Instead of going around to open the other door and reach over to open it I use the key to open the door. I'm taking the car in for maintenance next week to get it fixed.

ewill3rd · #13 (**permalink**) 05-22-08, 08:23 PM

It looks like that PI has been purged from the system.
The same issue still applies.
It might require some diagnosis for a door that won't open from one side or the other.
My first suspect would be the handle(s).
We have seen a few.

And bob, you are most welcome... again...

bobs-sts-v · #14 (**permalink**) 05-23-08, 01:49 AM

Looks like I am not alone!

Let you know what they find. My guys are great about printing out the codes and such, and the service bulletin numbers. So I should have a detailed explanation on the sheet to convey. Hopefully that will help the rest of you.

Bob

bobs-sts-v · #15 (**permalink**) 05-25-08, 01:09 AM

So the final verdict was the door handle AND the door latch mechanism were replaced. Everything working fine - for now. Had the chromes with the GS-D3s put on for the summer and got the 30K service done as well (oil flush, tranny flush, radiator flush). Now it is off to get her dyno-tuned.

Bob