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Fob only unlocks the driver door

32K views 32 replies 22 participants last post by  bobdec 
#1 ·
I have a 2014 4cyl Sorento. The fob will only unlock the drivers door. This occurs with a new battery in the fob, and with either of my key fobs... same issue. What is interesting is that the fob will LOCK all 4 doors, but will only UNLOCK the drivers door.

Any words of wisdom here folks?
 
#3 ·
My Ford can be selected to unlock just the drivers door on the first click, or unlock all doors on the first click, with the default being first click drivers door only and quick second click all doors.

Check the owners manual because I'm sure the Kia's will be much the same.
 
#7 ·
You can change the behavior of the unlock button.

It's been a while but if I remember correctly, I think you have to hold down both the lock and unlock buttons at the same time for more than 5 seconds.


Richard
 
#8 ·
I went and spent a little time playing with it.

The switch on the drivers door has the same issue as the fob... locks all the doors but will not lock them.

So, is there a relay or something that is tied to the unlock function globally (fob or switch)?

and FWIW, there are no settings in the setup that control how the door locks behave.
 
#27 · (Edited)
The three non-driver doors usually are overridden by a 'child shut-off' switch the driver can operate. If the switch on the driver door was the only problem, easy fix. But the fob also acting the same way is a real mystery, seems that child unlock preventer would not lock out the fob.
 
#9 ·
What trim level? Regardless, that setting doesn't prevent all doors unlocking, it just determines if you need to press the unlock button on the door or remote once or twice.

What happens if you press the button on the passenger side door handle? (all doors should unlock)

What happens if you use the mechanical key to unlock the drivers door. (only drivers door should unlock)

What happens if you turn the mechanical key in the drivers door twice within 4 seconds? (remaining doors should unlock)
 
#10 ·
There is in fact a separate relay called the "Two Turn Unlock Relay" whose only function is to unlock the doors other than the driver's door. If that relay is stuck, it could cause the symptoms you describe but it would be quite unusual for a relay like that to fail in such a short time. It is located in the ICM relay box inside the dash on the right side above the glove box.
 
#12 ·
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#13 ·
Any Resolution

Has anyone this one out yet? I have a 2014 Sorento EX that is doing the exact same thing. The Key Fob and the Drivers Door Switch will only unlock the Drivers doors and the 3 passenger doors have to be unlocked manually. Lock button works correctly. Also the going from Drive to Park does the same thing unlocks the Drivers Door but not the passenger doors. To me it is acting like there is a unlock relay that is bad.
 
#15 ·
Has anyone this one out yet? I have a 2014 Sorento EX that is doing the exact same thing. The Key Fob and the Drivers Door Switch will only unlock the Drivers doors and the 3 passenger doors have to be unlocked manually. Lock button works correctly. Also the going from Drive to Park does the same thing unlocks the Drivers Door but not the passenger doors. To me it is acting like there is a unlock relay that is bad.
Try pressing the unlock button on the keyfob a second time. My SXL has a setting to unlock all door at once or 2 stage (1 press= drive door & 2nd press unlock all others).

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
#14 ·
you may need a wiring diagram to trouble shoot a commonality.
 
#17 · (Edited)
#18 ·
It seems there are secret options about the operation of the FOB. I learned on this forum how to reprogram UNLOCK in one or 2 strokes. NOthing in the user manual. I have the basic model withiout the screen options.
I think there might be other options but nothing in the manual....may be in former year models...???
I've also noticed changes in the way the doors unlock when stopping the car. SOmetimnes all doors unlock, sometimes only the driver. I'm not too sure of the pattern yet....I keep analysing.
 
#21 ·
Same issue

Hello,

I'm having the exact same issue. The key fob, drivers electronic unlock switch, and passenger unlock switch all only unlock the drivers door. All doors do lock electronically. Issue was intermittent at first, however eventually became permanent.

After reading this post and about 20 other threads with similar no results, I decided to buy the service manual and do some reading. (caveat to this post, the service manual I bought was only valid through 2013 Sorento. I'm assuming not much has changed however. I'm waiting for an exchange from the site I bought the manual from to confirm).

I haven't fixed it yet, however will work on it here soon and have a pretty good guess as to what the problem is. The actual unlock logic is controlled by a microcontroller and has a dizzying amount of different logic states, however the fact that the indoor unlock buttons still unlock the drivers door seems to indicate that is getting out of the logic states and at least trying to unlock the doors.

On the European models, all four doors are tied together to the same two relays, a lock and unlock. On North American models there is there relays, a door lock relay, a driver door unlock relay, and a door unlock relay. This is loosely referred to as two step or two turn unlock system depending on which chapter you are reading. The door lock is shared between all doors and completes the circuit with either the driver door unlock relay, or the rest of the doors unlock relay. All are connected to VCC by default so there is no voltage difference across the motors. I'm guessing the non-drivers door unlock relay is getting stuck in an off state, so it can still source current for locking but won't sink current for unlocking.

Where to find the relays was not explained very well at all. The DR LOCK fuse for the relays was in tact (not surprising since the driver door unlocks) and the description says Door Lock/Unlock Relay, ICM Relay Box (two turn unlock relay)… etc. so my first thought was ICM relay box. However, no where in the description for the ICM does it mention anything about door relays. As best as I can tell (their manual is not very clear on this), they appear to be located on the BCM (IPM) board (ouch $$$). The IO for this lists all three relay "Outputs" indicating the relays are co-located. Unfortunately it doesn't look like this is one of the replaceable relays so naturally there is no documentation on what physical component it is.

Since I'm sure I'll be looking at $800-1000 for a dealer to replace this, and even buying the part online is ~$300+ which is a little over my risk threshold. I'm going to see if I can track down where the relay is physically on the board and what it would take to replace it. If I find a solution I'll update the forum here.

If anyone knows where a BCM assembly drawing or schematic could be found... I'd appreciate it. It is not in the service manual.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Kai,

The 2014 manual I have (from factorypdfservicemanuals.com) shows the relays buried inside the IPM (which in some places is called the Instrument Panel Module, and others the Intelligent Integrated Platform Module) - which is the plastic module located by the drivers left knee under kickpad that has the fuses on top part and connectors on bottom half. I did get really confused on BCM vs IPM, and finally came to the conclusion (which could be wrong) that they are one and the same.

I see the online web manuals do cover a lot of this:
Kia Sorento: BCM (Body Control Module) - Body Electrical System - Kia Sorento XM 2011-2019 Service Manual
Kia Sorento: IPM Circuit Diagram - BCM (Body Control Module) - Body Electrical System - Kia Sorento XM 2011-2019 Service Manual (zoom in a LOT - the 3rd group of wires/components on left side)

After spending a few minutes trying to piece all this together it seems needlessly complicated. I sent you a PM with door lock related schematics (a lot easier to read than the web-based schematics)
 
#32 ·
Any update on this? I am having the same issue with my 2014 Kia Sorento. The fob and inside locks only unlock the driver door. All of the other doors have to be manually unlocked. Kia ordered new parts but they didn't work so now they are saying my IPM junction box needs to be replaced and the party alone is over $700. Did anyone with the same problem find a solution?
 
#33 ·
The IPM (Intelligent Integrated Platform Module) and Old fashioned name BCM (Body Control Module) are the same component. It's also referred as the IPS in the actual schematics. (that's 3 names all told) . There are basic normal old fashioned $2.50 relays internal to the IPM that control the lock and unlock of the driver door or the drivers, plus the other 3 doors. The 1 or 2 unlock button depression program controls this. The actuator signals are determined on the relay & logic internal to the IPM. There is a two depression relay in the Smart Junction box that feeds the IPM to add to the confusion. Problem is the IPM relays are hard soldered to a circuit board sandwiched together with another board.

I you have the courage this thread shows how to replace the relays. https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/2014-kia-sorento-door-locks-saga-possible-fix.341534/
 
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