94 astro van drivers door will not unlock with key or with door lock switch. Hear unlock mechanism actuate, but door is still locked. Removed arm rest to get to actuator rod and pulled with pliers, but door stays locked.

check linkage and linkage clips

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Electrical • Vehicle Theft Security • Description Report a problem with this article

DESCRIPTION

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM

The Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) is designed to protect against whole vehicle theft. The system monitors vehicle doors, and ignition action for unauthorized operation.
The alarm activates:

• Sounding of the horn
• Flashing of the headlamps/park/tail lamps
• An engine kill feature (with SKIS)

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) is designed to provide passive protection against unauthorized vehicle use by disabling the engine, after two (2) seconds of running, whenever an invalid key is used to start the vehicle. The SKIS is active whenever the ignition is on and does not require any customer intervention. The primary components of the system are the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM), Sentry Key (ignition key with a transponder molded into the head), indicator light, Body Control Module (BCM), and the Next Generation Controller (NGC). The SKREEM is mounted on the ignition switch/lock cylinder assembly with the molded, integral antenna mounted around the ignition housing. The indicator light, is located instrument panel switch pod, just to the right of the instrument cluster.
Electrical • Vehicle Theft Security • Operation Report a problem with this article

OPERATION

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM

Upon failure of proper SKREEM communication to the Next Generation Controller (NGC), the NGC will shut off fuel after two seconds of run time. The engine will not re-crank on the key cycle that the failure occurred, a full key down sequence must be performed for the engine to crank again. After six consecutive fuel shut-offs, the engine will no longer crank on subsequent key cycles. The failure must be corrected and a valid communication process between the SKREEM and the NGC must occur for the engine to crank and start again.
The electronics for the VTSS are part of the Body Control Module (BCM). The system is armed when the vehicle is locked using the:

• Power door lock switches (with any door ajar)
• Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.
• Door Cylinder Lock Switches.

For vehicles equipped with SKIS, the doors do not have to be locked to enable the fuel shut off feature.
After the vehicle is locked and the last door is closed, the set LED indicator in the instrument panel switch pod will flash quickly for 16 seconds, indicating that arming is in progress. If no monitored systems are activated during this period, the system will arm and the LED will flash at a .5 Hertz (Hz) rate. If the liftgate is open, the LED will change its flash rate.
This indicates that the system is armed. If fault is detected on the driver key cylinder input, the indicator LED will remain solid during the arming process, although the system will still arm. If the indicator LED does not illuminate at all upon door closing it indicates that the system is not arming.
Passive disarming occurs upon normal vehicle entry by unlocking either door with the ignition key/remote transmitter. This disarming will also halt the alarm once it has been activated.
A tamper alert exists to notify the driver that the VTSS had been activated. This alert consists of 3 horn pulses when the vehicle is disarmed.
NOTE: The VTSS will not arm by pushing down the door lock mechanism. This will manually override the system.
For Door Cylinder Lock Switch service, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER LOCKS/DOOR CYLINDER LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH - REMOVAL).
If the VTSS is triggered, the horn will pulse, headlamps/marker lamps will flash, and the VTSS warning lamp will flash. If BCM determines the threat to be false and the VTSS is not triggered again, the system will shut down and rearm itself after three minutes. If a trigger is still active, the alarm will continue for an additional 15 minutes without the horn. The VTSS monitors the passenger compartment.
NOTE: System will not arm if passenger compartment is not secure.

ARMING THE VTSS - METHOD A

1. With the key removed from the ignition lock and any door open (excluding liftgate), actuate one of the following:

• Power door lock button to LOCK,
• Key fob LOCK button
• Driver door lock key cylinder to locked position.

Close all opened doors. Liftgate can remain open.

After the last door is closed, an arming time-out period of sixteen seconds will start, then the VTSS will become armed.

ARMING THE VTSS - METHOD B

Actuating the key fob transmitter LOCK button, key locking the front doors with the doors closed and the ignition locked will begin the arming time-out period. If method A, 16 second time-out sequence was in process when method B was actuated, the 16 second time-out will restart from the time of the second actuation.
If the security lamp does not illuminate at all upon final door closure, it indicates that the system is not arming.
The current VTSS status armed or disarmed shall be maintained in memory to prevent battery disconnects from disarming the system.

TRIGGERING THE VTSS

After the VTSS is armed, the following actions will trigger the alarm:

• Opening any door (excluding liftgate).
• Turning the ignition to the RUN position.

NOTE: When the VTSS is ARMED, the interior power door lock switch ?UNLOCK? will be disabled until the vehicle is disarmed.
CAUTION: The VTSS indicator LED will trigger and engine will continue to run if the vehicle is equipped with SKIS and the proper key is used to start the vehicle. This condition will occur if the VTSS has been triggered. If valid key is used, VTSS will disarm.

CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING

This vehicle theft security system feature allows you lock all the doors with the key by using the drivers door lock cylinder.
All vehicle doors and liftgate are locked with the first turn of the key to the LOCK position from the drivers door. A double activation feature of central unlocking requires you to turn the key in the door lock cylinder to the unlock position two times within two seconds to UNLOCK all vehicle doors at once.
The first turn of the key in the door lock cylinder will disarm the system (the driver door cylinder lock switch connected to the back of the driver door lock cylinder) and unlock your drivers door. The second actuation within two seconds will then unlock all doors and the liftgate.

SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM

The SKIS includes keys from the factory which are pre-programmed. Each SKIM will recognize a maximum of eight Sentry Keys. If the customer would like to own additional keys other than those provided with the vehicle, they can be purchased from any authorized dealer. These keys must be programmed to the SKREEM on the vehicle in order for the system to recognize them as valid keys. This can be done by the dealer with a DRB III® scan tool or by a customer if this feature is available in their market and they have two (2) valid keys already available to them. The SKIS performs a self-test each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and will store Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) if a system malfunction is detected. The SKIS can be diagnosed and any stored DTC's can be retrieved using a DRB III® scan tool as described in the appropriate Body Diagnostic Procedures manual.
With the light being on there is a code stored in the computer that controls anti-theft , Your best bet would be to take your vehicle to the dealer !

the lock actuator inside the doors are frozen they need to be replaced

shorted wiring in doors or shorted door lock actuator in door. A grounding of a wire makes them lock normally. SO, any bare wire touching metal will ground it and lock the doors.

Principles of Operations
The Door Switch Lock Function When a door lock switch is moved into the lock position or a door lock cylinder is rotated to the lock position, the door lock switch grounds the lock circuit input to the central security module (CSM). The CSM then provides 12 volts to one side of the door lock actuators contained in the door latch unit and simultaneously grounds the other side of the door lock actuators. This completes the door lock actuator circuit, causing the door lock actuators to rotate a cam assembly, which then locks the doors. The 12 volts that the CSM provides to the door lock actuators are provided to both door lock actuators from a single pin on the CSM electrical connector.
The Door Switch Unlock Function When a door lock switch is moved into the unlock position, the door lock switch grounds the unlock circuit input to the CSM. The CSM then provides 12 volts to the opposite side (relative to locking the door) of the door lock actuator(s) contained in the door latch unit and simultaneously grounds the other side of the door lock actuator(s). This completes the door lock actuator circuit, causing the door lock actuator(s) to rotate a cam assembly in the opposite direction, which the unlocks the door(s). The 12 volts which the CSM provides to the door lock actuator(s) are provided to each door lock actuator from the individual pins on the CSM electrical connector.
--------------------------------------------------------
CSM Self-Test The CSM has a self-test which can be entered into by using a diagnostic tool. This self-test will monitor the following CSM door lock inputs:

• Unlock switch (DTC B1311)
• Lock switch (DTC B1300)
• Exterior lock switch (DTC B1309)
• Exterior unlock switch (DTC B1341)

Before running the self-test, the following conditions must be met:

• The ignition switch must be in position II
• The driver and passenger doors must be unlocked
• The driver and passenger doors must be opened
• The hood and liftgate must be closed
• The set/reset switch, and liftgate release switch are not actuated

It is important to note that all of the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), with the exception of B1551 and B1553 can be retrieved with the self-test. DTCs B1551, and B1553 are continuous and will only be retrieved if the liftgate release is operated prior to retrieving the continuous DTCs.
Inspection and Verification

1. NOTE: Make sure that the battery is fully charged before starting electrical diagnosis.
   NOTE: Prior to carrying out the CSM Self-Test, make sure that both the driver and passenger doors are open.
   Verify the customer concern.

1. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical and electrical damage.

Visual Inspection Chart Mechanical Electrical

• Binding latch mechanisms
• Binding linkage
• Misaligned door

• Central junction box (CJB) fuse(s)
• Wiring harness
• Electrical connector(s)
• Door lock switch(es)
• Door lock actuator(s)

Module Controlled Functions
The central security module (CSM) covers the following functions:

• Central door locking
• Double door locking
• Anti - theft alarm incorporating
  • forced entry
  • radio theft
• Radio frequency remote control of
  • central door locking
  • panic alarm
  • driver door unlock
  • liftgate unlock

For additional information, refer to Section 419-01A Anti - Theft - Active, Section 501-14A Handles, Locks, Latches and Mechanisms, and Section 501-14B Keyless Entry/Computer Operated Locks.

The CSM is in the passenger side kick panel I think.

Good luck

i can help , kinda, i had trouble with my astro van door lock in the back , it is not connected to the electric door locks , turns out the thing was broke inside, i had to pry off the inside panel and reach inside the door itself to unlock it, this can be done without damaging the panel or trim but you have to unscrew some parts, and work it loose very gently, on the rest of it, well i have been having trouble with the door locks on my astro, i think its just a weakness in design on these guys

Sounds like bad wiring, or bad door lock actuators. Check for power while locking/unlocking the doors.

Check to see if someone might have unplugged the switches or rain may have ruined switch if window was down... the keyless module goes to the relays that throw the actuators. sometimes door switches are wired so one is the master and the other goes through it as a slave. GM should be driver side. also could be broken wires in the door boots from opening and closing. The rear door may have problems with the linkage from the key cylinder to the latch or be rusted. Usually one can find the relays by using the keyless while listening for a light clicking sound under the dash driver side kick panel if you need to check for unplugged harness.

Is there B+ voltage to the switch ? Check for broken wires inside the rubber boot from the body to the door .

I did check switches on doors and found good continuity. ??? Ohm test or voltage
Is there B+ voltage on the orange wire at the drivers door switch ? There are two relays one locks the other unlocks . The Cig LTR fuse supplys B+ voltage to the door switches ,not the actuators . PWR ACCY circuit breaker powers the actuators through the lock / unlock relays ! Check out wiring diagram here http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html

Lock actuator on the rear hatch may be bad, I had to replace 3 actuators all at one on my van. I have the same problem with my drivers door you are having with your doors, today I'm gonna pull the door panel off and check the wiring and voltage.

There is a vacuum line that goes from the vacuum reservoir (usually next to the bottom of the passenger side engine) up and across the top of the engine to connect on the driver side of the engine. The vaccum line cracks/leeaks and will not allow the vent vacuum actuators to function. Replace the line. Use a thicker wall buts same inside diameter rubber vaccuum hose. Probably under $5. People waste a bunch of time replacing the actuators, switches, etc. Its just the vacuum line and poor original placement/design.