Central locking / remote problem

[MJF44]

Hi all. When I got to work yesterday I locked the car using the remote and all was fine & the red light next to the door lock was flashing ok.
When I finished work I went to the car & the remote did not do anything, so I presumed the batteries had gone, so I opened the door with the key & the alarm went off. Now the red light has stopped flashing & the key opens the drivers door only, but if you press the central locking button inside the car this still works. I have replaced the remote batteries with no luck so I think it must be something on the car that has failed. Does anyone have any idea where I should start looking?  ps car is a 99 Golf 4 1.8 GTi 20v non turbo. Thanks.

[richandhazel]

I've found, with mine, that if I lock the doors with the remote fob and then open with the key, the alarm goes off. Not sure if thats normal but I just use the fob. 
Do you have a spare fob that you can try?
A scan with VAGCOM will probably show a fault in the 'convenience unit' that it may be able to reset.

[MJF44]

ok thankyou. unfortunately I don't have a spare fob to try. You mention vagcom, not sure what this is but would it mean a trip to the main dealers plus lots of cash?

[richandhazel]

VAGCOM is some software that you can put on your lappy to interrogate your car/ECU/all your electronic boxes. With the correct lead you are away.

Go to the top of the mk4 section to find a VAGCOM user location database........shouldn't cost you megabucks as most of us will do it for a menial sum for our fellow enthusiasts.

[MJF44]

don't know if it's just a coincidence but i can hear a very faint rattling sound coming from the door lock area as i drive. this started the same time as the immobilizer / remote packed up. is it worth removing the door card to have a look, or is there nothing there that would affect it? could anyone tell me how to remove the card - is it just the few screws around the edges (sorry but don't have a haynes manual yet)

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

don't know if it's just a coincidence but i can hear a very faint rattling sound coming from the door lock area as i drive. this started the same time as the immobilizer / remote packed up. is it worth removing the door card to have a look, or is there nothing there that would affect it? could anyone tell me how to remove the card - is it just the few screws around the edges (sorry but don't have a haynes manual yet)

Not sure what to look for when the card's off, but IIRC (it's been a while), to take it off, you have to take the grab handle off first, then undo the rest of the (torx screws, I think!) off, (located at the bottom), & then lift the whole thing upwards to remove. (It clips/hooks on at the top of the door).

You could always take both sides off to compare.

[MJF44]

thanks, i will have a crack at it.

[richandhazel]

Gaz has written a great 'how to guide', with pictures on doing a mk4 window regulator. Obviously in doing that job you will need to remove the door card so well worth a look before you start. Its a sticky at the top of the mk4 section and here is a link to it:-

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=27944.0