Subaru Sambar Door Lock System Failure Fix Guide

Having dealt with a similar door switch and locking system issue on my 2016 Subaru Chiffon, I can share my experience. I have some experience working on basic car electronics, but left this repair to professionals due to its complexity. The symptoms were nearly identical, complete keyless system failure with stored error codes. Initially thought it was the door handle sensor, but the actual problem was more basic. The workshop found a wiring fault where the cable harness enters the driver door. The constant opening and closing had caused wear on the wires, creating intermittent connection issues. The fix involved replacing a section of the wiring harness and properly securing it to prevent future wear. Total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. The repair took about 2 hours and has been working perfectly since. Can you share more details about your specific error code? Also, does the problem affect all doors or just one side? This information would help determine if you are dealing with the same type of wiring fault or potentially a different sensor issue. Worth checking the door boot wiring for any visible damage before taking it to a shop. Sometimes you can spot worn areas where the wire insulation has broken down.

Last service was 2 months ago at 108575 KM. Wanted to update that after inspecting further, I discovered my door actuator was making an unusual clicking sound when trying to lock/unlock. The wiring through the door boot looks intact with no visible damage. The electric door mechanism seems to respond intermittently when using the key fob, which points more toward a failing actuator rather than a complete wiring fault. Going to have the shop check the sensor issue and door handle assembly while they are at it. Appreciate the detailed info about your repair experience. Will report back once I get a proper diagnosis from the mechanic.

Thanks for the update on your door actuator situation. Your symptoms do sound different from what I experienced with my Chiffon. That clicking noise from the locking system is often a tell-tale sign of a failing actuator, while my issue was purely a wiring fault. Given the mileage and age of your Sambar, actuator failure would make sense. When they replaced my door wiring harness, the mechanic mentioned that actuators typically start having issues around 100000 KM. The intermittent response to the key fob also aligns more with actuator problems than the complete signal loss I had. The repair cost might be higher than my wiring fix since actuators usually run 150-200€ plus labor. While they are checking the electric door components, have them test the door handle sensors too, these can cause similar symptoms and are worth ruling out while everything is apart. Hope you get a reasonable quote for the repair. The clicking sound suggests catching it before complete failure, which is good.

Given the mileage and symptoms, I think you are right about my door actuator being the culprit. The intermittent response and clicking noise align perfectly with what others have described. I checked my error code again, P1693, which apparently is commonly associated with door actuator failures. I have booked the car in next week for diagnosis. Really hoping it is just the actuator and not a more complex wiring fault or sensor issue in the door handle system. The door boot wiring looks fine like I mentioned, with no visible wear or damage where it flexes. Will get them to do a thorough check of all the electric door components while they are working on it. Last thing I want is to replace the actuator only to find out there are other failing door switch components causing problems. Expected repair costs of 150-200€ plus labor seem reasonable based on the parts I have looked up. At least catching it early before complete failure should prevent getting locked out of the car. Thanks for sharing your experience and helping narrow down the likely cause.