R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Doors unlock and lock randomly while driving...

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  #1  
Old 03-06-2019 | 10:42 AM
DmOcRsI's Avatar
DmOcRsI
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From: Anaheim, CA
Doors unlock and lock randomly while driving...

A few weeks back while I was leaving a light I noticed that my doors had suddenly locked (as programmed) and it didn't dawn on me that I had already been driving for quite a while. So at one point or another during my drive... my doors unlocked themselves. It's recently happened more often... now pretty consistently every drive at one or several points along the way my doors will unlock; after I stop and go they'll once again lock themselves. It's both locks... not just one.

And another... "thing" I guess is that for the past couple of months I've felt a slight hesitation when part-throttle which I just assumed may of been a boost/vacuum leak that I hadn't gotten around to fixing. Feels like just a very slight loss-of-power. Well.. the last time I felt this sudden and slight loss-of-power the doors unlocked.

Which made me think... is it related? Is my alternator dying on me causing the loss-of-power and triggering the unlocking of the doors?

Help me think guys... this one is a head-scratcher and I'm thinking it can either be small and stupid or bank-breaking.
 
  #2  
Old 03-06-2019 | 10:52 AM
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IQRaceworks
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Could you have a bad/fault lock switch? Have you tried manually locking and unlocking the doors several times to make sure the switch isn't going bad?
 
  #3  
Old 03-06-2019 | 11:10 AM
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Did you say you did the programming? The reason I ask is, I think I remember that there are couple of options for unlocking, one when you turn the car off and one when the car stops. Maybe been doing it a while and you just noticed? Just a guess.
 
  #4  
Old 03-06-2019 | 03:25 PM
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BlwnAway
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From: Arnold, MO.
First, yes, have your alternator and battery fully tested.
Then, if they're ok, check to see if there's moisture around your BCM (Body Control Module) and that the connectors are tight and the module itself isn't loose and vibrating some.
 
  #5  
Old 03-07-2019 | 09:49 AM
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DmOcRsI
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From: Anaheim, CA
Originally Posted by IQRaceworks
Could you have a bad/fault lock switch? Have you tried manually locking and unlocking the doors several times to make sure the switch isn't going bad?
Switch works perfectly when I operate it manually; doesn't skip a beat.
 
  #6  
Old 03-07-2019 | 09:54 AM
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DmOcRsI
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Originally Posted by lotter1
Did you say you did the programming? The reason I ask is, I think I remember that there are couple of options for unlocking, one when you turn the car off and one when the car stops. Maybe been doing it a while and you just noticed? Just a guess.
It's programmed to unlock after it's shut off and to lock after it crosses 10MPH.

It is unlocking while I am driving "65" down the highway, not at a stop. It re-locks after I come to a stop and cross the 10MPH threshold.
 
  #7  
Old 03-07-2019 | 09:56 AM
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DmOcRsI
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From: Anaheim, CA
Originally Posted by BlwnAway
First, yes, have your alternator and battery fully tested.
Then, if they're ok, check to see if there's moisture around your BCM (Body Control Module) and that the connectors are tight and the module itself isn't loose and vibrating some.
Not sure how they would test the alternator on our cars, but I'll see what's what.

Where is the BCM on the R53? It has been wet lately.
 
  #8  
Old 03-07-2019 | 10:03 AM
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BlwnAway
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From: Arnold, MO.
Originally Posted by DmOcRsI
Not sure how they would test the alternator on our cars, but I'll see what's what.

Where is the BCM on the R53? It has been wet lately.
The alternator test is simply that it's charging at the right voltage (since it's internally regulated) and there isn't a short or glitch somewhere in the system.

BCM is behind the passenger side kick panel.
 
  #9  
Old 03-07-2019 | 12:03 PM
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From: Tucson, AZ
Originally Posted by DmOcRsI
It's programmed to unlock after it's shut off and to lock after it crosses 10MPH.

It is unlocking while I am driving "65" down the highway, not at a stop. It re-locks after I come to a stop and cross the 10MPH threshold.
Then I would agree with the other posts, check the BCM
 
  #10  
Old 03-08-2019 | 04:37 AM
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Tgriffithjr
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From: Texas
Here is a great link on testing alternators and the trouble they can cause.
https://www.knowyourparts.com/techni...ators-replace/
 
  #11  
Old 07-13-2020 | 09:27 AM
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Frozer860
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Any update or fix on this issue? I have the exact same issue. New battery did not fix it. BCM has no moisture around it and is securely connected.
 
  #12  
Old 08-02-2020 | 02:03 PM
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From: Anaheim, CA
Sorry for the delayed reply... I hate when people don't update.

So what ended it up happening was I actually had a bad heater core... it was leaking coolant onto the BCM, I take it. Fixed the heater core, cleaned up any moisture and it SEEMS to be working fine now.
 
  #13  
Old 08-02-2020 | 02:51 PM
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shrevemini
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From: Panama City Beach Florida
Mine was doing the same thing for 5 months. Then my battery took a crap. After changing battery. Have not had any further issues.
 
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