FredR

I noticed an issue with my central locking system the other day that I suspect may be self induced.

The primary symptom is when I lock my driver side door only that door locks. To get the other side to lock I have to lock it manually. On the other hand, if the passenger side door is locked and then I lock the driver's side door the alarm system engages and the red light in the open/close plunger on the door starts flashing as per normal suggesting it is armed. Similarly, when I open the driver's door from the armed position both door locks open suggesting the central locking system in part at least is functioning.

Now the potential self inflicted bit- up until a short while ago I had a problem getting the rear hatch to fully lock shut. I played around with it adjusting various things but got no where. I then "discovered" that when I removed the plate that carries the motor for the remote hath release function the problem with locking the latch down firm disappeared so left it off for the time being. I do not think the sub loom being disconnected should impact anything but.

Any thoughts?

Zirconocene

Totally shooting in the dark here but is there a chance that sub-loom incorporated a necessary ground for the central locking system?

I know the cars are not completely related but in going through the wiring harness for my 944, there are a lot of disparate systems that end up being tied into the same ground points/wiring looms. Maybe, given the relative contemporaneity (?) of the cars, the same dynamic was at play in the building of the looms.

Good luck

FredR

It is the kind of problem that troubles me. I had a problem with my late 90S4 on the central locking- turned out it was a wire in the rear hatch that was shorting out- how the hell anyone could find such was totally beyond my wiring analytical abilities.

soontobered84

Fred, have you removed or adjusted your door panels recently?

FredR

I had the driver door innerds apart about a year ago to work on the lift motor.

DKWalser

Fred -- My 90S4 has a similar sounding problem. Sometimes they work as they should, using the key in the driver's (or passenger's) door lock will lock, or unlock, both doors and turn on/off the alarm. More often, the key does not lock/unlock the other door nor does it arm/disarm the alarm. Occasionally, locking the driver's side door will work as it should (the passenger door is also locked and the alarm is armed); however, when I return, using the key to unlock the driver's side door will not unlock the passenger door, nor will it turn off the alarm -- which requires a quick dash to the passenger door to unlock it, silencing the blaring horn.

I'll be following this thread closely to see what everyone comes up with as solutions. Not that any solutions will do me much good. I've mastered the US tax law, but it seems car electrical systems are beyond me.

Big Dave

My locks would just cycle endlessly. I believe it's because they're out of sync with each other.

I ended up just removing the fuse, so I now manually lock/unlock each door.

Looking forward to someone smarter than me posting an easy fix.

soontobered84

If you tighten the screw on ring of the door panel too tight onto the door, it will inhibit the lock. Back the torque off just a bit and see if that helps.

Alan

I think it is quite unrelated (except that perhaps both are symptoms of age).

It seems the switch built into the lock mechanism on the drives side is not functioning - this is a separate switch from the alarm switch that is driven by the long key part. Its a bit redundant on a GTS with the new locking module - but its a legacy configuration. I suspect the switch only needs cleaning - but as in the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy - you have to get it out first. The configuration on the later cars is that both position switches (left door & right door) are just paralleled together - so if one side works that proves the combined lock/alarm/interior light module is working OK (at least with respect to this locking function).

BTW the Lock/Unlock (Arm/Suspend) switch for the hatch is in the the upper latch part (on the tailgate). The tailgate unlock motor is not related to the central locking or alarms at all.

Alan

FredR

John,

I doubt I have the strength to do such- I had trouble opening the tops on soda bottles when they had such. No harm is giving such a shot!

FredR

Alan,

Thanks for the insights. I tested the hatch release and as expected it made no difference connected or not. I had a problem with hatch lock wiring in my late S4 that manifested as non operational and a sudden battery drain- they found a cable was earthing when it should not have.

I forgot to mention that the drivers side door lock feels a tad strange in that sometimes there is some resistance to motion. I purchased some graphite lock lube as I did not want to squirt WD40 into the lock- maybe that was a mistake. I have on problem getting in and out of the door panel- done that plenty of times working the winder mechanism. Have a couple of doors from the late S4 in my spares pile so can take a look at the lock on those for preparation purposes albeit I understand the GTS locks are slightly different with longer key for the alarm- presumably removal is pretty much identical.

Given that the alarm latched when both doors are locked suggested that the central locking feature is still functioning so that at least is a plus. Will revert when I have had chance to pull the thing out. Just hope it is not one of those things where you undo the cover and springs and ball bearings fly everywhere!

FredR

Well at least you got it functional!

Over here I rarely lock the car in part because I do not leave it in public places as a general statement but even so at the malls i can park up, leave it unlocked and chances are nothing will happen. Car theft is virtually unheard of here. Worst I ever experienced was some 16 years ago- had lunch at my villa was going back to work and as I entered the car port I noticed the drivers door was ajar. A tea leaf had pilfered a music cassette from my central panel. That is the sum total of crimes against me and mine in 30 years living in Oman!

dr bob

Do apprehended/convicted thieves still leave empty handed? That used to be a fabulous disincentive in certain parts of the middle east.

FredR

Such grievous punishments are something of a rarity these days but they are occasionally still meted out in some countries in this part of the world but are non existent in Oman.

Crimes do get committed here occasionally but mindless things like muggings are pretty much non existent. I have heard of cars being stolen but the incidence of such is very rare and the culprits are invariably caught rapidly. The odd murder occurs from time to time but they are usually family affairs and I cannot remember how many years it is since I last heard of such.

Car crashes used to be the biggest source of loss and bodily harm but the authorities have done a great job of cracking down on reckless speeding and nowadays most of the accidents are no more than minor fender benders. I have not seen a horrendous wipeout for many years and with the excellent road system we have, one feels very safe whilst driving these days.