Car central locking system

Central locking makes it possible to lock all the doors locking only the driver’s door. In older car models it is necessary to lock back doors and fuel tank door apart. In modern cars majority of central locking systems are electrical. In older systems there is a vacuum locking system. Also there are radio- and infrared signal systems. In such systems you need to lock the central locking manually.

In majority of modern cars you need to lock only the driver's door. The rest locks are locked with the help of remote control. To open or close the door you need to press the button or to unlock the door lock. Central locking failure results in system’s failure. There are rare cases when the damage concerns only the door. For safety reasons it is necessary immediately to repair the damaged system. In older cars you need just to install a new central locking. It is rather expensive because it is necessary to remove the major part of the lining. With the help of the work manual you can install it by yourself.

Not always you can determine the cause of the central locking failure. So, it is very important to address to the repair shop as quickly as possible. If you need ABS-sensor, wiper actuator arm, transmission driving belt, conduit under uncharging, shock absorber, aperture panel, belt stretcher or other parts, visit our on-line store. We work round-the-clock.

How to identify a faulty central door lock

The procedure of component diagnostics is determined based on the symptoms of failure. If certain locking elements do not react, check their actuators and the wires connected to them. If the entire system is not functioning, the main printed circuit board may be faulty. Besides, you should make sure there are no short circuits and the fuse is OK.

In the absence of signal from the remote control, check the batteries (if they are in place and are not discharged) and the signal itself. This can be done only by specialists.

The service life of the central door lock has no certain limits. If the component is used correctly, and it is not exposed to mechanical impacts that result in damage, the lock will not have to be replaced throughout the service life of the vehicle.

However, every several years carefully check the state of electrical wires, actuators and the main printed circuit board, and clean the components of the system.

You may notice that the central door lock needs diagnostics by the following symptoms:

• the component does not react to opening;
• the component is triggered with a delay of over five seconds;
• one or more doors do not open;
• after the lock is triggered, the actuator is not deactivated.

The reasons of central door lock malfunctions

Malfunctions that result in complete or partial failure of the central door lock may be divided into several types.

Mechanical faults include incorrect operation of door actuators caused by wear of the actuator's gears or failure of solenoid coils, as well as loss of tightness of the vacuum line.

Electrical problems may start with a blown fuse or discharged battery of the central door lock remote control and end with faulty relay or the printed circuit board of the compressor, caused by a short circuit.

Operation of the central door lock is affected by excessive humidity or severe frost which lead to wires oxidation and loss of contact, so when the seasons change, try to keep the car at a covered parking or in a garage.

Repairing and replacing components of the central door lock

The procedure of repair is determined by the kind of the fault. If one of actuators is faulty, internal upholstery is to be removed from the corresponding door. Note that actuators with motors serve much longer than actuators with solenoids.

If an actuator is faulty, it is to be fully replaced. Damaged electrical wiring may be repaired and insulated, however it is better to immediately replace it.

Remote control fault only may be eliminated at a service station where necessary tools are available.

In case of a short circuit in the main printed circuit board, or its damage, the component is to be replaced. It should be noted that it is rather expensive.