You started with either a short in the wiring or a bad switch in one of the front doors. This kept the locks energized even after they were down. The lock that won't lift up has a melted down actuator. It will need replacing. Typically, the wires fail where they go through the rubber sleeves leading into the doors.

Happy huntin! Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Ari Ollikainen Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 6:42 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Demented power door lock?

I've been trying to debug a problem whose symptom is a dead battery overnight (or sooner). Battery is new, alternator is a working version swapped from my other vanagon. After the first time, I recharged the battery overnight, then my wife used the car for less than a 1/2 hr, parked and locked it in the driveway. I went out this morning, looked at the instrument panel and saw that the clock LCD was blank...didn't even try starting the car. Later I went to look at the battery and couldn't unlock the passenger side door from the outside...and had real difficulty prying the knob up on the inside (it was like it was still being pulled down by the locking mechanism!).

Any ideas before I RTFB (ReadTheFineBentley)?

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+----------------------------------------------+ | You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape.| | If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. | | If it moves and shouldn't, use duct tape. | +----------------------------------------------+