Drivers door Intelligent Access door handle not working

[FearlessDriver62]

Yes, there is a sensor in the door handle. I've found quite a bit about it in the Ford Edge forums where the '12-'15 year models have malfunctioned, but nothing at all about anyone's Explorer. I went to the local dealer and asked if they had any issues with any others and of course, they claim that mine is the first ever to malfunction, and that they need to have the car for a day to figure out what's wrong. They couldn't even diagnose that I had a bad sway bar link, and wanted to sell me two new struts instead, so I hardly think I'm going to trust them with this electrical sensor. You can take the door handle apart, and get at the sensor from the outside, but the wires run into the interior of the door, and I need to take the door panel off to see where they are going. I probably just need a new sensor, (like I needed to replace the windshield wiper control because that wouldn't stop the wipers from working even when turned off), so I'll have to see if this sensor is "plug and play" like the wiper control was.

 

[Zeeb]

Bit of an older thread but since my 2018 Explorer Platinum suffered the same issue with the passenger side door IA operation being intermittent. Been to the dealer a couple of times but same old "cannot duplicate problem" was all I got. Finally here about two weeks ago, I got up one morning and it had quit again. Took it back to the dealer and the CS rep was able to see that it didn't work. I took it back yesterday for trouble shooting and service. They were finally able to duplicate the problem; cold. When the car was warmed up the door worked, after sitting outside overnight, it didn't work. They had it for two days but finally found a loose connection under the dash. Get it warm and the pieces swelled enough to make a connection. Get it cold and they'd contract to where there was no connection.

For whatever it's worth, maybe it'll help someone else.

 

[ElasticPilot148]

I purchased my 2016 explorer a couple months ago and didn't notice until after the sale was complete that the intelligent access on the driver's door is not working. It works fine on the passenger side and I even took the working handle from the passenger side and put it on the driver's side and still no luck. The driver handle worked on the passenger side so that tells me it's not the handle itself but something else. I've been searching forums looking for a solution and am not having any luck. I keep seeing suggestions about it being the BCM, but I feel like both doors would be inoperable not just the one.

 

[G8orFord]

I have the exact opposite problem. The drivers' door works but the passengers' doesn't. I haven't really messed with it much but I did pull the codes a while back and there was an error with the "Passenger Side Door Module". Evidently the the PS heated mirror is affected as well according to the codes.

I'm planning to get a little more serious with fixing it in the next week or so. Just been too busy otherwise lately.

 

[peterk9]

I purchased my 2016 explorer a couple months ago and didn't notice until after the sale was complete that the intelligent access on the driver's door is not working. It works fine on the passenger side and I even took the working handle from the passenger side and put it on the driver's side and still no luck. The driver handle worked on the passenger side so that tells me it's not the handle itself but something else. I've been searching forums looking for a solution and am not having any luck. I keep seeing suggestions about it being the BCM, but I feel like both doors would be inoperable not just the one.

Welcome to the Forum.
Did you get any kind of warranty with the vehicle? If so, you should take it back and see what they can do for you.
Also, see this thread where they talking about replacing the BCM. Intelligent Access Door Handle Not Working

Peter

 

[Chopper64]

I purchased my 2016 explorer a couple months ago and didn't notice until after the sale was complete that the intelligent access on the driver's door is not working. It works fine on the passenger side and I even took the working handle from the passenger side and put it on the driver's side and still no luck. The driver handle worked on the passenger side so that tells me it's not the handle itself but something else. I've been searching forums looking for a solution and am not having any luck. I keep seeing suggestions about it being the BCM, but I feel like both doors would be inoperable not just the one.

I have the same exact issue and also tried switching drivers side and passenger side handles with no success. Were you ever able to determine the problem??

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
So when you switched them did the passenger side still work? If so, that would seem to eliminate the door handle as the problem.

Peter

 

[Chopper64]

Welcome to the Forum.
So when you switched them did the passenger side still work? If so, that would seem to eliminate the door handle as the problem.

Peter

Yes when I switched the passenger side still worked but drivers side still did not. It is not the handle or the sensor.

 

[peterk9]

I haven't seen what the handle looks like when it's removed. Are there wired connections to it? If there are, have you checked to see if there is power to them?

Peter

 

[Chopper64]

I haven't seen what the handle looks like when it's removed. Are there wired connections to it? If there are, have you checked to see if there is power to them?

Peter

There is a wiring harness it plugs into. I was hoping the other member that had the same exact issue perhaps had an update on his/her situation.

 

[peterk9]

That was the member's one and only post. He may no longer be following his thread. Not following up is unfortunately very common and frustrating for members.

Peter

 

[Chopper64]

That was the member's end and only post. He may no longer be following his thread. Not following up is unfortunately very common and frustrating for members.

Peter

Understood. I just find it mind blowing that practically no one has come across this issue. I posted the question on my fb 5th gen explorers page and crickets. No way just the other member and myself are the only 2 owners to have this issue.

 

[peterk9]

So far the only thing the non-working handles have in common is the wiring harness feeding the driver's side door handle. I don't know where that harness goes once it leaves the handle. You'd almost need a schematic or in-depth manual to follow that.
Have you checked fuse/relay #3, 20A, Driver unlock relay? It's in the cabin fuse panel. Not sure though if that might be the problem?

Peter

 

[Chopper64]

So far the only thing the non-working handles have in common is the wiring harness feeding the driver's side door handle. I don't know where that harness goes once it leaves the handle. You'd almost need a schematic or in-depth manual to follow that.
Have you checked fuse/relay #3, 20A, Driver unlock relay? It's in the cabin fuse panel. Not sure though if that might be the problem?

Peter

Great suggestion. Just gave it a shot. Fuse was not blown. Just for good measure swapped it out but unfortunately did not resolve the issue.

 

[ElasticPilot148]

There is a wiring harness it plugs into. I was hoping the other member that had the same exact issue perhaps had an update on his/her situation.

Since my original post I have not been able to find a solution. I am still having the issue with no luck on the suggestions I have been given. I have taken the door panel off and it looks like there is some sort of module inside the door, but it is not easy to reach in the door to get to. On the next nice day off I have I am going to try to get to it and make sure all of the connectors are making contact. I am also going to look for a part number and possibly try to order a new one (depending on the price). Along with that module I am also wanting to try to locate the actual antenna for the Intelligent Access and make sure the connection is being made. Any idea on where that might be? Sorry for the long wait on a response. I got frustrated because nobody had an actual solution and just gave up for a bit. I did just check the fuse/relay #3, Driver Unlock Relay. All this did was disable the electronic unlock of the driver door - electronic locking worked. had to manually unlock to get back in haha. It was worth a shot.

 

[peterk9]

I believe the antenna may be toward the read of the center console. I'm not sure but I wouldn't think that the door handles would use the antenna. That would probably be only for when using the fob. Did you ever take it back to the dealer after you bought it?

Peter

 

[ElasticPilot148]

I believe the antenna may be toward the read of the center console. I'm not sure but I wouldn't think that the door handles would use the antenna. That would probably be only for when using the fob. Did you ever take it back to the dealer after you bought it?

Peter

No I haven't, don't feel like paying them to not find anything. It's not under warranty

 

[peterk9]

No I haven't, don't feel like paying them to not find anything. It's not under warranty

Although I can understand that, it's a bit of a pessimistic assumption. Most of those cases involve periodic issues that the dealer is unable to duplicate. In your situation that wouldn't be the case. Good luck. If you are able to get it working again please report back. Thanks.

Peter

 

[mclark1989]

I purchased my 2016 explorer a couple months ago and didn't notice until after the sale was complete that the intelligent access on the driver's door is not working. It works fine on the passenger side and I even took the working handle from the passenger side and put it on the driver's side and still no luck. The driver handle worked on the passenger side so that tells me it's not the handle itself but something else. I've been searching forums looking for a solution and am not having any luck. I keep seeing suggestions about it being the BCM, but I feel like both doors would be inoperable not just the one.

Hello I new and searched the threads but seen where people discussed having the issue but no clear fix for the problem. We just bought a 2015 Explorer limited. When we first got it everything seemed to worked fine except the fan control on the Sony touch panel which I was told by ford dealership that it’s the touch panel that needs to be replaced. But anyway the driver side door IA was working fine now it has stopped and does nothing when you press the lock button or grab the handle the passenger side works fine just driver side. Any suggestions please this was one of the reason we went with the vehicle over others and now it doesn’t work and is very annoying.
We don’t have any type of warranty. Any luck on a fix? Thanks in advance.

 

[peterk9]

Hello I just bought my wife a 2015 explorer and the IA worked all around at first and now the driver side has stopped and we don’t have any type of warranty. Any luck on a fix?

Welcome to the Forum.
Is it just the touch handle that isn't working? Can you still lock/unlock using the key fob and Securicode panel?

Peter