What next?

Mat_hev

Hi

I've got a VW Polo 52 plate that has developed an intermittent central locking fault. It doesn't have a fob, only a key. I'm not car savvy but wonder what it could be? Where to go to get it sorted?(reasonable price). Basically the problem developed a few weeks back. Sometimes everything works fine sometimes it doesn't. Then I have to manually lock all the doors. One lock visibly looks locked but isn't leaving the car insecure. Just wondering what the problem could be? Where do you suggest I go to get the problem diagnosed? What sort of cost I'm looking at? Any informed advice much appreciated.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Mat_hev wrote: »

Hi

I've got a VW Polo 52 plate that has developed an intermittent central locking fault. It doesn't have a fob, only a key. I'm not car savvy but wonder what it could be? Where to go to get it sorted?(reasonable price). Basically the problem developed a few weeks back. Sometimes everything works fine sometimes it doesn't. Then I have to manually lock all the doors. One lock visibly looks locked but isn't leaving the car insecure. Just wondering what the problem could be? Where do you suggest I go to get the problem diagnosed? What sort of cost I'm looking at? Any informed advice much appreciated.

An auto electrician would be my advice.


Sounds like some sort of actuator or electrical fault preventing locking at times.


your looking at their labor rate plus what ever parts they have to buy in plus 20%vat on the overall bill. I would say this is something that could be easily diagnosed and not break the bank.

Mat_hev

Thanks. Do you know if they usually charge to come & have a look? Or will they look then charge me if I want them to repair? Thanks in advance.

Westmead_Fan

depends on what YOU want

do you want them to stand & have quick look or do you want them to fully check it out removing door cards testing wiring as such

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Mat_hev wrote: »

Thanks. Do you know if they usually charge to come & have a look? Or will they look then charge me if I want them to repair? Thanks in advance.

mobile autolecs tend to charge a call out fee. IMHO your car doesn't warrant a mobile electrician as its drivable so save costs by looking up in your area a auto electrical garage giving them a ring and asking for an appointment to book it in to be diagnosed.


You can specify what you want.


you say diagnosis and parts price only, (they will strip the panel test wiring and diagnose then call you back informing you of the issue and price of the parts to fix) it will be upto you to give the go ahead to repair or collect and not go ahead.

kev25v6

Put a few drops of 3 in 1 oil down the locking pins on the door to make sure they are running freely up and down. Same on the door catches and make sure all the door sensors are clean and move freely. A weak battery could also affect the central locking so check the voltage on it too.

forgotmyname

Start with the door that looks like its locked but is not. Fix that and the rest maybe OK.

Richard53

kev25v6 wrote: »

Put a few drops of 3 in 1 oil down the locking pins on the door to make sure they are running freely up and down.

Absolutely this ^^^


I had a weird fault on a Range Rover P38, where the doors would lock sometimes and other not; and sometimes one door would lock and not the others, and worst of all I could lock the doors and they would immediately unlock themselves. I had been advised by several 'knowledgeable' mates that I was looking at a bill in the hundreds (Range Rover electrics, brrr), but I had a good look one afternoon and discovered that one of the locking catches was sticking in its plastic mount. When I pressed the remote, this catch didn't move as far as it should, and the BECM decided there was an problem and sprang all the locks open. Literally one spritz of WD-40 and it was cured.


Always try the cheap or zero-cost solutions first!