Central Locking Question

[chrisjcoe]

Hi all

I've had inactive central locking since I bought the car. The centre console lock button does nothing, and unlocking/locking either door has no effect on the other (I assume it's supposed to). An auto-electrician advised that I should change the actuators, so a few months ago I bought a couple of second hand ones and spent a happy afternoon changing the drivers side. I excitedly tried the lock/unlock button, and nothing happened. My disappointment was considerable, and I was advised by you good people that perhaps the problem was the central locking relay which is located near the steering column.

I've asked a few mechanics if they know where to find it, even the guys at the Porsche Centre, but no one seems to know. Does anyone here know exactly where this relay is located?

I've found this on ebay, but haven't managed to track it down elsewhere yet.

Thanks

Chris

 

[zcacogp]

Chris,

That looks like the right part. It's easy to find, although located in a slightly strange place; it's clipped onto the bottom of the steering column. If you stick your head into the driver's footwell and look up you'll see it. It's about the same size and shape as a cigarette packet.

I wouldn't go changing parts until you are sure what's up with the system. If it's totally dead it could be as simple as a broken power supply lead or poor earth (or blown fuse). They aren't complex systems, and fault-finding on them isn't hard.


Oli.

 

[Masher]

ORIGINAL: chrisjcoe

Hi all

I've had inactive central locking since I bought the car. The centre console lock button does nothing, and unlocking/locking either door has no effect on the other (I assume it's supposed to). An auto-electrician advised that I should change the actuators, so a few months ago I bought a couple of second hand ones and spent a happy afternoon changing the drivers side. I excitedly tried the lock/unlock button, and nothing happened. My disappointment was considerable, and I was advised by you good people that perhaps the problem was the central locking relay which is located near the steering column.

I've asked a few mechanics if they know where to find it, even the guys at the Porsche Centre, but no one seems to know. Does anyone here know exactly where this relay is located?

I've found this on ebay, but haven't managed to track it down elsewhere yet.

Thanks

Chris

I have the same problem on mine. I tried the same cure (only to find some idiot had cut the receiver of the actuator plug off the drivers side and I had to manually wire it all in). Then... nothing. I have noticed a small black piece hanging down from the lock which I believe to be a sensor telling the car whether the door is locked or unlocked. Since it is hanging down I assume the car has no idea of the doors status so does nothing. Whether this is my issue or not I don't know. Neither do I know where this piece should fit (it cannot be seen with the door card off on the other door).

One point of possible interest - on mine, when I press the central locking button I do get some electrical activity (clicking noises) but this does not result in the doors locking. Also, if I unlock the drivers door, the passenger door unlocks BUT not the other way around. If I lock the drivers door, the passenger door remains unlocked. This sounds like a point of differentiation between your problem and mine?

Sorry if this seems completely unrelated but this sensor thought might be worth checking.
Mike

 

[muzz]

hi masher
i had the same sort of problem, one side would lock but not the other side.
go to ;what did you do to your 944 today...page hundred and thirty three.
hope this helps

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: muzz

hi masher
i had the same sort of problem, one side would lock but not the other side.
go to ;what did you do to your 944 today...page hundred and thirty three.
hope this helps

I had the same problem as you with initially the passenger door (you could hear it trying to lock). Eventually both doors went the same way. I found that the driver's side had gone weak, but the passenger had some wire wrapped around it, and another part of the plastic socket had become weak.

On the blower to OPC I got two new levers for the pricey sum of £3.60 . It also eliminated a couple of rattles from the doors too.

Back on topic, considering that the doors do not even make a noise (I guess this is the key with the key or button) I would look at the easy thing first and then work your way down (as Oli said). Someone may have pulled a fuse out due to the door locks 'bouncing' when attempting to lock (easy to occur if the doorcards have not been fitted correctly)

 

[chrisjcoe]

D'oh! I haven't checked the fuse! That's a job for tomorrow nigh.