Another central locking issue

[Neil_C82]

Hey all, I’ve been scratching my head for the last few days and spent hours trying to find a solution.

My central locking randomly just stopped working a few weeks back. I know there’s been loads of posts about this already so went straight to the boot loom of doom and replaced it and it didn’t fix the issue, so can rule that out.

Both keys work manually in the boot and driver door to lock and unlock both doors and the boot

I have also:

• changed the batteries in both keys
• Reprogrammed the keys
• Changed all fuses for remote locking and alarm
• Replaced the bonnet button with a new one
• Checked the mirror (although can’t tell if the antenna is drawing power)
• Replaced the boot loom

this all started a few weeks ago, my immobiliser was activated on the driveway and the remote didn’t shut it off, or remotely lock/unlock the car. I could only switch it off by putting the key in the ignition.

the next day I went for a drive, parked up, pulled the key out the ignition and got locked inside the car. The immobiliser had kicked in again and hazards were on. Key in the ignition didn’t turn the car over or deactivate the immobiliser. I had to wind down the window and unlock the door from the outside to get out.

I had an inflatable kayak on the passenger seat and when retracting the roof to get it out of the car the window was brittle and cracked in 3 places (that’s a story for another day).

my other half brought the spare key and a new battery but this still didn’t work after reprogramming

somehow I did eventually manage to disarm (don’t ask how, no idea) and get it home.

I took out the glovebox and the modules behind were a bit damp.(leaking water into the footwell had caused a little condensation).

anyway, disconnected the battery for a few days, dried it all out and everything worked. The remote locking was working as it should, and the immobiliser was fixed.

I popped the glovebox back on, sprayed some WD40 on to the door latches as they were sticking…. And the remote locking stopped working.

I’ve not had any further issues with the immobiliser but maybe it’s because it’s not switched on and active?

Anyway it’s driving me nuts so any ideas would be very warmly welcomed and received.

thanks in advance!! (

If you’re wondering why I used some bold in here it’s just so you can scan read the key points without needing to read it all.

Neil

 

[Neil_C82]

I’m still really stuck with this. Just taken the glovebox off again to check for any loose connections in the module but all looks ok.

 

[Dxbolton]

Maybe the door solenoids have stopped working. They are a pain to change but quite cheap to buy on eBay, it’s odd for both to fail together but the damp issues could have caused it?
just an idea

 

[Neil_C82]

Maybe the door solenoids have stopped working. They are a pain to change but quite cheap to buy on eBay, it’s odd for both to fail together but the damp issues could have caused it?
just an idea

you may be absolutely correct. I was hoping it was something else as I really, really don’t want to take the door apart… but it sounds like it’s the last thing to check. Boooooo

I’ll get them ordered and see if that fixes the issue and report back here, in case anyone else has the same issue.

 

[Dxbolton]

Removing the door lock and solenoid is a real PITA. When you remove the window channel at the top there is a panel fitted which is designed to protect the lock from being punched through externally. I remove this before refitting the window channel as it makes life easier. And besides entry into a soft top car isn’t exactly hard when you only have to cut the roof.

 

[Neil_C82]

Removing the door lock and solenoid is a real PITA. When you remove the window channel at the top there is a panel fitted which is designed to protect the lock from being punched through externally. I remove this before refitting the window channel as it makes life easier. And besides entry into a soft top car isn’t exactly hard when you only have to cut the roof.

It looks like a massive PITA and I’m worried it’s out of my skill level. Found a post a few mins ago and it seems quite fiddly. I may buy the parts and get a quote from a garage to do it. I can see myself getting really frustrated attempting this lol

 

[Neil_C82]

I’ve also just disconnected the battery to the car to reset everything just in case there’s some other fault. It probably won’t fix anything especially if it is the actuators up the shoot… but got to try before ripping the doors apart.

 

[Dxbolton]

My actuator failed with the door locked. I had to remove the door card, and delve around blindly to remove it so I could open the door. Much easier if your doors open already. fyi my passenger door doesn’t have a key so I couldn’t open it externally

 

[Dxbolton]

This might help

View: https://youtu.be/7OUu2JFPLzo

 

[Neil_C82]

My actuator failed with the door locked. I had to remove the door card, and delve around blindly to remove it so I could open the door. Much easier if your doors open already. fyi my passenger door doesn’t have a key so I couldn’t open it externally

Dear god that sounds horrendous!!

 

[t-tony]

My 2000 z3 only had a key lock on the drivers door as well and it was the passenger door actuator which failed.

Tony.

 

[Dxbolton]

My 2000 z3 only had a key lock on the drivers door as well and it was the passenger door actuator which failed.

Tony.

same here. Crazy idea not having a key lock but I guess it saved money on the build cost

 

[Neil_C82]

Is there anyway to test the actuators before tearing the doors down? I was thinking through the ODB port?

 

[t-tony]

Possibly, but not that I know of.

Tony.