Chrysler Repair: 01 Neon door locks cycle spontaneously, chrysler neon, open signal

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kevin,
I have a 01 Chrysler Neon with around 56,000 miles and the problem im having are my door locks keep trying to open periodically when i drive (not sure when parked). All i hear is a fade click and door locks keep opening. My driver side door lock switch doesnt work either and when i push on my door panel my doors either open/close. Could this be a short or bad door lock mechanism?

Thanks in advance
Sylwester

ANSWER: Hi Sylvester,
One of the problems is caused by a door that is not being firmly latched against the door frame so that it is giving a false "open" signal which then causes the locks to try and lock. I suspect that it is the driver door (as shown by your saying what happens when you push on the door panel) and so you need to move the latch striker 'loop' (located in the door frame) in-board a fraction of an inch so that it will reliably close the door tightly enough to push in the door ajar switch to the point where it won't give a false alarm. Then see what aspects of the problem remain.
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay but your question just appeared in the 'pool' to which it had been referred.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Roland,
Thanks for the reply, what i have figured out is it might be wiring related because when popped off the window switch panel on the door arm rest, i pulled on the wires that lead to the latch area which triggered the lock mechanism to open my door locks. My door lock switch occasionally works now depending on the climate (ie morning wont work, aft. time works). Im thinking of replacing the lock actuator or tracking a bad ground. What do you think?

Answer
Hi Sylvester,
I would start by checking for wiring problems in the door and between the door and the body. But do try latching the door more tightly to clear away that issue if it is present or it will be too confusing.
The door lock switch only has 3 wires: on pin 3 a black/yellow ground wire that goes through two disconnects and the door hinge area to a bolt on the dash structural upright in the midline of the dash (underneath) and the black wire also on pin 3 is from the door key lock. On pin 1 is 12V white wire from fuse 7 when the ignition key is in the 'run' position also going through the hinge and one disconnect. On pin 2 is a signal to remote keyless module light green wire that tells that module whether the door ley lock switch and the door lock switch are in the off position, the unlock position, or the lock position which it does by some internal resistors in the door lock switches and the ground wire on pin 3. It very well could be that the ground wire on pin 3 that goes to the underdash ground point is flakey in its continuity between those two points.
So that will give you a start on a troubleshoot.
Roland