Central locking problem

[jaguartvr]

The z3's seem to suffer with central locking and deadlocking problems.

I currently have a car that sometimes will lock both doors with the key in the door, other times it will only operate the driver's door.

The keyfob will sometimes operate the doors, other times it will not, same as the door.
The key fob has a new battery and has been working on the car since it was changed.

I suspect the central locking module, can a replacement be bought and swapped or does it have to be coded to the car?

Beginning to lose the will to live with this, has anyone got any ideas?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Check the boot loom. This is the most common cause of locking problems, one of the reasons it's called the "loom of doom"

 

[Mint]

I would check 'the loom of doom' in the boot before anything else. You have pretty much described a typical loom problem. Good luck

 

[jaguartvr]

Boot loom is good and has been checked. The boot lid and all connections to the boot loom have been removed. It was working after this had been done, the battery in the fob was changed and resynched without any problem.
Can I swap the central locking module or do they have to be reprogramed to each car?

 

[t-tony]

What happens when you lock the car with the boot lock using the key?

Tony.

 

[jaguartvr]

Boot has been removed along with all components that attach to the boot loom.
I have been able to resynch the key with all of these parts removed.

 

[Grumps]

I have similar issues. Most of the time it is my passenger door not locking. I was told it's probably the actuator but to be fair it's a 2 door car and doesn't bother me so I just live with it. The wife gets out first and I lean over the push the tab down before I get out, i do always check the boot and most of the time it's locked.

 

[jaguartvr]

My problem is that the car will have door skins attached so there will be no access to the door lock.
The problem is also internment, it will lock and unlock on the key and the fob and then an hour later it won't.
The battery is on a tender so it is fully charged.

 

[mrscalex]

The central locking is controlled by the ZKE behind the glove box. It's not coded to the car. Just get the correct version/match the part number. I have a couple I think.

But honestly, and I know you've checked, I would still be surprised if it wasn't the wiring loom.

 

[mrscalex]

Get a code reader on it too. There are error codes for the wiring loom. They are cryptic though. The descriptions are abbreviations of German words. When they are thrown they will pin-point left door, right door or boot. But they don't always get thrown.

 

[Sean d]

It could well be one of the door switches that's at fault, if the ZKE thinks a door is open the actuator will not work

 

[t-tony]

Interior light not working is a possible indication of a faulty switch in the door catch.

Tony.

 

[jaguartvr]

I will check the door switches, I have had problems with them before on other cars.

 

[Grumps]

Interior light not working is a possible indication of a faulty switch in the door catch.

Tony.

That's interesting mate as no my light doesn't work.

 

[jaguartvr]

My faulty passenger door switch left the interior light on causing a flat battery.

 

[t-tony]

That's interesting mate as no my light doesn't work.

Does yours central lock from the boot key Dave?

Tony.

 

[Fender2004]

Does anyone know if it is difficult to remove the wires from the boot?
I was thinking of re-routing them rather than cutting and re-soldering the wires.

 

[t-tony]

Not really difficult to get the wiring out of the boot lid itself. There 2 parts to the boot loom 1 to the stop light and 1 to the locking mech. I just tape the loose bits onto the main loom and attach a string to the end which as you pull the loom out will route the string through for pulling the loom back.
Once you have the loom out disconnect the string and tie the ends together so it stays in place for pulling the loom back into place later.

Tony.

 

[Fender2004]

Cheers for that Tony it’s very helpful

Alan

 

[Grumps]

Does yours central lock from the boot key Dave?

Tony.

No mate.