Remote Locking Useless

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Since I bought my car 6 months ago (2002 1.9tdi Ghia 115) the remote locking has been dodgy. It is getting much worse now. The remote key fob opens the car about 80% of the time OK but the remote rarely locks the car, perhaps <5% of the time. We're now just using the key to lock and unlock the car. I replaced the 2 lithium batteries in the key fob but it made no difference at all. Over the last few weeks things have got even worse and now the remote only works very occasionally.

 

The red light on the key is working fine. It flashes every time you push a button on the key. Could it be a faulty key or a faulty unit on the car. Any ideas?

[NikpV]

wonder if you have a breakdown i the wiring loom in the door-pillar rubber boot which sometoimes lets the signals though from the cl module - probably worth a check, do you know anyone else with a mk 2 gal - program your key to open and see how consistent it is (need their key) dealers can check the signal from your remote

 

have a look in the faq about wiring and programming remotes

[littledaz]

Sounds like the remote to me. I take it, like my Galaxy, you have no passenger door lock. If not, you can try to eliminate a wiring issue by operating the tailgate lock and see if this operates the door lock 100% of the time. If I am correct, the CL ecu will use the same wiring to operate the locks whether by remote or by the boot lock. If it does work 100% I would consider buying a new remote fob. BTW, you seem to be having quite a few issues with your Galaxy. I hope we can help you fix them all.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Thanks, the car will need a service in 2000 miles so I'll ask the dealer to check the remote. I don't know anyone else who has a Galaxy. If I did they probably wouldn't let me muck about with it anyway. I haven't checked the wiring loom so I'll make a note of that for later. Many thanks.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Hello again Littledaz... you're my saviour!!!

 

Yes, this car has been a pain since I bought it. I have always preferred Fords and have rarely had trouble with them. I keep blaming VW and Audi as it makes me feel better! :rolleyes:

 

I will try the boot lock tomorrow. It was all seized up when I got the car so I attacked it with WD40. Hopefully it will be loose enough to let me use the key tomorrow. If it's the remote I will be reasonably happy as it should be an easy repair.

 

Just wait for my next post! I'll be asking questions about dodgy gearchanges!

 

Strange thing is... I like the car, I really do. It's great to drive, economical and very practical. I just wish it was as reliable as my other Fords have been.

[littledaz]

You could also try the lock/unlock button in the drivers door switch panel if your tailgate lock is seized! I'm sure this sends the signal to the ecu which in turn sends it back to the door locks, eliminating the wiring again.

 

 

I keep blaming VW and Audi as it makes me feel better!

At least the failings of VW/Audi keep me in a job and the wife very happy :lol:

I really like my Galaxy also but, deliberately chose a 130 TDI as it was VWAudi and I know my way around it. What have I let myself in for??? :rolleyes:

[NikpV]

You could also try the lock/unlock button in the drivers door switch panel if your tailgate lock is seized! I'm sure this sends the signal to the ecu which in turn sends it back to the door locks, eliminating the wiring again.

 

 

surely the wiring from the switch goes through the door boot to the cl module on the bulkhead and then back to the doors through the rubber boots?????????

[littledaz]

NikpV, that is the point I am trying to make. If by operating the internal door switch, the cl ecu locks and unlocks 100% of the time, that should eliminate a wiring issue as the signal is being transmitted successfully from switch to ecu to locks. If the locking still plays up on the remote, I think the remote would be the cause.

[NikpV]

ah I see - :lol: senior moment there, I would assume that in testing this you would need to sit in the car and open/close door after each trial so as to disturb the wiring otherwise you could have a situation where a correct circuit is made and never find the faullt - similar tor my drivers door where sometimes the speakers work and sometimes not. (works when boot is moved - must sort this out.

 

Does the global closing/opening have seprate wures to each window motor? I have an odd situation where I can can either use the door switchs to open the rear passenger window or use global opening in either front door locks, but whilst global closing works fine on all the other does and windows it will not shut the rear passenger windo, whereas the switches on the drivers door (and the rear passenger door) both do. :rolleyes:

[littledaz]

Nik, yes, testing the vehicle could be done one of two ways. Either sit in the vehicle, with the window down, lock youself in :) and operate the central locking. Reach out of the window and try to open the door thus testing the operation of the locks. Also, you could, with the door open, latch the door catch to closed with a screwdriver and lock and unlock the central locking whilst moving the door backwards and forwards (this would test the wiring aswell). I'm not sure about the wiring as I assume the fault is the CL as a whole. If there was a fault in the door pillar wiring, I would expect the issue to be local to one door.

 

Regarding yours, I believe the wiring for global open/close is separate to the switches. You have open & close signal wires from the switches and also open & close signal wires from the cl ecu to the window motor. I will try to get access to a wiring diagram to confirm this. One thing though, have you tried resetting the basic settings on the affected window, a possibility.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Hello folks, especially Littledaz (my hero)

 

I gave my locks a good testing session today. All work perfectly with the key including the boot lock which opens and locks the other doors on the car as it should. Does that mean it's probably my remote that's faulty? Or could it be a receiver unit on the car to blame?

[littledaz]

especially Littledaz (my hero)

You're making me blush!

 

Sounds like a faulty remote. You really need to try another remote before condemning the ecu though but, that also is a possibility.

[bigdaddy]

Try This

 

you could use the above as an alternative to replacing the remote,,,,,,,,I and several others fitted them and there great

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Hey bigdaddy, they look quite useful gadgets. I just want my car to work as it should but I'll definitely keep those things in mind. I'll have a search about to see how much a new remote key will cost. When I get round to getting one I'll be searching this forum to see how to program the thing.

 

Thanks again fellas