Central locking fault

[lekandjencali]

Hi, I have an issue with my 2008 California’s central locking. Starting at the beginning of 2020 it began unlocking itself - drivers door only first, now both driver and passenger doors. This stopped over the summer but has just restarted. The local VW Van Centre charged me for diagnostics in Spring 2020 but couldn’t come to any conclusion and wanted around another £500 in labour to strip out the driver door card to have a poke around with no promise of success (I declined). I have watched various videos on YouTube which show corrosion on soldered joints on the wiring harness below the driver’s seat but when I stripped mine back the joints were crimped only and the copper was clean and bright. The other thing I have tried is bring the convenience control unit into the house to warm up/ eliminate any moisture. Whilst it remained locked for longer after I reinstalled it, it did unlock again overnight. Has anyone had similar issues and resolved them? I can’t find any posts that describe similar issues.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, I have an issue with my 2008 California’s central locking. Starting at the beginning of 2020 it began unlocking itself - drivers door only first, now both driver and passenger doors. This stopped over the summer but has just restarted. The local VW Van Centre charged me for diagnostics in Spring 2020 but couldn’t come to any conclusion and wanted around another £500 in labour to strip out the driver door card to have a poke around with no promise of success (I declined). I have watched various videos on YouTube which show corrosion on soldered joints on the wiring harness below the driver’s seat but when I stripped mine back the joints were crimped only and the copper was clean and bright. The other thing I have tried is bring the convenience control unit into the house to warm up/ eliminate any moisture. Whilst it remained locked for longer after I reinstalled it, it did unlock again overnight. Has anyone had similar issues and resolved them? I can’t find any posts that describe similar issues.

1. Are all doors actually locked, tailgate and sliding door with remote?
2. Can you lock with the key not the remote, and does it still unlock?

This might help.

Central Locking keeps unlocking

My central locking keeps unlocking when I lock it from the fob ( Factory central Locking ) I happen when I was fitting a new stereo. think I may have shorted a wire because my ignition switch went strange at the same time. I have checked everything I can think of and if I disconnect the drivers...

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

 

[lekandjencali]

Hi thanks for the reply. Door locking/ unlocking with the remote works as normal. Just tried the key though and all doors lock but then drivers door immediately unlocks itself whilst the rest remain locked. The door can be locked manually with key when the convenience unit is disconnected.

 

[Loz]

Sounds like a faulty microswitch in the lock mechanism.
does the door show open and closed on the MFD display?

 

[WelshGas]

Hi thanks for the reply. Door locking/ unlocking with the remote works as normal. Just tried the key though and all doors lock but then drivers door immediately unlocks itself whilst the rest remain locked. The door can be locked manually with key when the convenience unit is disconnected.

If it is the lock microswitch as @Loz suggested, this might help if you want to just replace the microswitch,

T5 Drivers door switch

There is a fault either on an earth tag or door switch on my 2005 Caravelle. The key open button operates the door lock fine and the interior lights operate - open the drivers door and sit in and if l don't get the key in the ignition then the locks reset and alarm is set. When l exit the...

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

This might help.

lock cylinder sets - Campmob. (Typ2/Transp./LT)(CAMP) [EUROPA 2008 year]​

№	part code	title	i
		door lock inner actuator door handle, exterior key sender unit lock cylinder sets
		door lock
(1)	3B1 837 015 AQ	door lock
(1)	3B1 837 016 CC	door lock
(1)	3B2 837 015 AM	door lock
(1)	3B2 837 016 AA	door lock
1	3B1 837 015 AT	door lock
(1)	3B1 837 016 CF	door lock
3	7H0 837 349 A	cover cap
(3)	7H0 837 350 A	cover cap
4	N 90825801	pop rivet
5	7H0 837 867	retaining bracket
(5)	7H0 837 868	retaining bracket
6	N 90929901	pop rivet
9	N 90800503	oval head screw w/ internal serration (combi), self-lockin
10	N 90798505	countersunk multi-point socket head bolt
11	8Z0 837 033 A	lock striker
		inner actuator
(14)	7H0 837 732	cable with clip
15	1J0 837 861	bellows
16	7H0 837 195 A	locking rod
(16)	7H0 837 196 A	locking rod
17	3B0 837 187 B	knob for locking rod
	3B0837187B 01C	satin black
18		inner actuator not for this model
19		fillister hd. bolt not for this model
20	7H5 837 225 A	inner actuator
	7H5837225A 2ZZ	chrome
(20)	7H5 837 226 A	inner actuator
	7H5837226A 2ZZ	chrome
21	7E0 837 085	bowden cable
		door handle, exterior
(23)	7H0 837 885 C	mounting bar
(23)	7H0 837 886 C	mounting bar
24	N 90897604	oval hexagon socket head bolt
25	1C0 837 211 A	underlay
27	7H0 837 209	underlay
28	7H0 837 205 D	door handle, exterior
	7H0837205D 3FZ	black
	7H0837205D GRU	primed for painting in exterior colour
(30)	1T0 837 233 B	housing
31	1C0 837 879 A	cap
	1C0837879A 3FZ	satin black
	1C0837879A GRU	primed for painting in exterior colour
32	1C0 837 879	cover for door lock
	1C0837879 3FZ	satin black
	1C0837879 GRU	primed for painting in exterior colour
34	G 052778A2	lock cylinder grease spray
(35)	107 837 167 GK	lock cylinder with housing to retain the one key system the key code number and/or chassis number must be quoted when ordering
(35)	107 837 168 GK	lock cylinder with housing to retain the one key system the key code number and/or chassis number must be quoted when ordering
(36)	7H0 898 167	lock cylinders (lock and key set) cannot be used to restore the one key locking system !!
(36)	7H0 898 168	lock cylinders (lock and key set) cannot be used to restore the one key locking system !!

 

[lekandjencali]

Loz, Welsh Gas, thanks for your responses. All doors individually indicate open on the MFD plus interior light comes on and times off after the door is closed so I don’t think that’s the issue. Photo attached - tailgate was open as well at the time. Do you think the lock mechanism may be faulty?

 

[Loz]

Loz, Welsh Gas, thanks for your responses. All doors individually indicate open on the MFD plus interior light comes on and times off after the door is closed so I don’t think that’s the issue. Photo attached - tailgate was open as well at the time. Do you think the lock mechanism may be faulty?

That was just the check for one of the microswitches that show door closed, there are 3 more internally in the lock mechanism. What I think is happening is the Safelock/unlock microswitch is stuck down.
Take a look at this for an idea of what's involved.


When you press the fob to lock the van, the door module (on the back of the window motor) tells the motor in the lock to go in one direction until the microswitch says its locked. If it doesn't get the signal from the microswitch it reverses the motor and unlocks again.
Non-US locks have the deadlock as well and this operates a second microswitch.

Take a look at this (us version without deadlock for a good explanation on how it operates.

And the part 3 video shows how the microswitches work.

 

[lekandjencali]

Thanks again for your responses on this. The van went into my local dealer for a service and I asked them to take a look. They removed the drivers door card and checked connections etc, they couldn’t find any issues and it wouldn’t fault for them. It’s been stable since it appears it may been a connection issue that’s been resolved by their inspection (fingers crossed).