The drivers door latch should shut your radio off when the door is opened. If not you need a new latch.

 

Maybe, maybe not? Is the door showing on the dash as being open when you open it and closed when it's closed? It could be the driver's door module not telling the BCM that the door is open.

If the switch fails, the console will either claim the door is always open even when closed, or never open, even if it is open.

Both the BCM and the DDM can be culpable in this failure, don't discount them yet... Do all the doors register open/closed on the dash when operated? The rear doors are wired directly to the BCM, but the front passenger door has its own module and the driver's door has its own module too, and both of these modules report to the BCM.

 

As I think back, the problem is intermittent because we drove the car during the day. The radio was on and turned off when the drivers door was opened. Now I am wondering if the problem is connected to the lights being on. Calls for some investigation next week.

 

I watched a video on how to replace the driver’s door latch assembly. I won’t be tackling that as a diy project. I figure it’s a $300 part and $1000 labor at the dealer. Unless it manifests as a worse problem than it is now, that will be a next summer repair. For now I can push the volume knob. I will do some further investigation in case the culprit involves something else.

 

If you don't have clear repeatable confirmation from the dashboard telling you that your door is open all the time OR never opens, you're probably wasting money/time replacing the latch, because the problem is more likely at the DDM, between the DDM & the BCM, or at the BCM.

 

I understand. And I have no indications as you describe.

 

Where is the BCM physically located?

 

=============================
SLOW DOWN!
get a GOOD scan tool and check for CODES - specifically BODY codes -
ALL of the various modules and computers ARE monitored - and WILL set a code when they fail - BUT -
only emissions-related engine codes will illuminate the SES light

 

agreed could be a simple broken wire in the door jam...

 

=================
YUP - that would probably be a "U" code - "LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ***"

 

I am thinking of shaking connectors and harness not replacing computer modules.

My latest code reader pulls all codes asfaik. I get no codes and no messages in the DIC.

I am not about to start replacing parts at random or blindly. Right now this malfunction is an annoyance. The car is 15 years old for crying out loud. And it has had this problem for at least a year. It gives it character….

 

On a previous thread, someone suggested spraying WD-40 in the door latch. I gave it a couple of squirts several months ago, and about 90% of the time, the radio now shuts off when I open the door. Before, it was about 90% the other way. I've no idea if it will last, but it's a damn sight easier than taking apart the door, and there's less risk of breaking something else.

 

You know, I remember that now. I will give that a try. I think I can tell if it helps and report back in a couple of days. Thank you so much. 👍

 

So…I drove the DTS to church today which is our norm. Got in and out multiple times with the radio on (playing a cd). Radio turned off every time I opened the driver’s door. I did turn the key off and remove it before I opened the door, again, my norm. I am going to spray the latch with WD40 before Wednesday. It goes on the road again Wednesday.

 

So I sprayed the latch mechanism with compressed air, followed that with electronic control cleaner, followed that with WD40. I either fixed it or destroyed it. We shall see how the week goes…

 

Drove the DTS to breakfast this morning. Windows down, roof open, radio on. After parking closed the roof and windows, turned the car off. Lights stayed on(set to auto). Radio continued to play. Same scenario as Friday night. Opened the door to get out, radio stopped. Auto lights turned off. Everything is good. The only other factor is the passenger side front door was not open. But I didn’t destroy the driver door latch unit.

 

Friday and yesterday the radio did not turn off when I exited the car on at least 4 occasions. I asked my wife when the radio turned off as I got back in. She said just now when you opened the door. So my new strategy is to open the door a second time when exiting the driver’s door. We’ll see how this works…

 

Today the radio stayed on one time when I opened the door but shut off as I was exiting. Definitely a bus communication error due to a failure of the door latch module. But right now it is just an annoyance. To be continued…

 

I thought that was normal behavior because I didn't know any different. If I have the radio on and shut the car off and remove the key the radio stays on. If I then open the driver side door the radio turns off. Is that not normal?

 

You should also be able to open and close windows & sunroof until you open a door or about ten minutes after shutoff, whichever comes first.

The WD-40 I shot in the latch in August seems to be wearing off--my stereo is staying on again most times.

 

Yes. It should shut the radio off as soon as the door opens not when you already have your feet on the pavement like mine did.

 

My WD40 didn’t last either. But I liked the idea…

Ralph, do the lights come on properly when you open your other doors? My passenger front door seems to work properly but the rear door on that side doesn’t trigger the interior lights when it is opened. I haven’t checked the driver side rear door.

However I had an accident with my rear passenger side door yesterday. I was on the second step of my little ladder working on the garage door opener in the other bay when it shorted out. It startled me and I jumped back. I hit the garage floor with my hips and rolled backwards into the door, hitting it with my head. I am uninjured but the door suffered. I think I’m going to need a body shop. See photo in next post.

 

 

I didn’t even get a headache…

 

 

Forgot I had a security camera.

 

You're lucky you didn't break both your hips holy cow. Be careful!!! Glad you were not hurt seriously. You might be able to hit the area with a hair dryer and the take an air can and invert it and spray the area. The shock from hot to cold may be enough to pop it right back out. Obviously don't heat it to the point where it melts the pain but look it up on yt. It could work.

 

You could have a small brain bleed and not know it, so have someone take you to the ER if your brain or body starts working funny. We've reached the age of worrying about falls.

A body shop should be able to pull that out with adhesive if GoldMist's idea doesn't work. I tried hammering out a bigger dent in my rear fender from the trunk and only made it uglier. At least yours is on the passenger side, so you don't have to see it all the time.

 

Actually I do see it every time I go to the car or get in it. My son usually drives and that’s the door I get in. The photo does not show but there is a sharp bend just below the trim strip. It’s gonna take a body shop.

I have the video and I actually didn’t do that dent with my head. My shoulders bore the brunt of the impact. I am fortunate and I know it. If you remember the scene from Jurassic Park where the little boy is thrown off the fence when it powers up, that was me except I didn’t get shocked just smoke in my face. And kiddies, I had been being very careful and got over confident. Never let your guard down for a second when working on machinery.

if there is a way to post the video I don’t see it.