Central Locking Problem

[PaulMK4GTI]

Hi, first of all, i'm new to the world of VW and to this forum. I've had my MK4 GTI (3 door, 1.8 20V non -turbo) for about two months now and i've already found loads of useful information in this forum. Everything has been fine up until now:

When i lock the doors, both doors lock but then the passenger door unlocks immediately after - the door lock pin goes down then pops up again straight away. It does this whether i use the key, the remote or even the switch on the inner door handle. The wierdest thing is if i physically push the pin down to lock the door from inside the vehicle, when i get out and use the remote to lock the drivers door, the passenger door pin pops up again! The only way i can get the door to lock (and stay locked) is to go around the other side of the car and use the key in the passenger door lock.

Also, the interior light does not come on when i open the passenger door (but i does when i open the drivers door). I know the switch to this is built into the door lock mechanism and was thinking this may be part of the problem. Has anybody else had this problem? Is it more likely to be a problem with the door lock mechanism or possibly a faulty in the 'convenience' system?

Thanks in advance.

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

It's most probably the lock assembly needs replacing , I've lost count of how many I have changed in the past under warranty due all sorts of functional problems   (CRAP DESIGN !!! ) .... jammed shut , won't shut, interior light etc, etc...  .
One thing though , as regards the interior light there is a diode / resistor block in the loom of the door and believe these can give problems  but I don't think you can get them separately they come  with the loom or so I've  been told . In any case this is very unlikely to cure you lock problem . 

[topher]

Very common problem, a microswitch in the locking mech. gives up which means you need to replace the whole thing. Mine does it on and off.. but only if im locking from the inside using the button on the fingerplate. I've heard of people stripping the door and spraying wd40 in the locking mech. to cure it but never tried myself.

[PaulMK4GTI]

Excellent (well, you know what i mean), thanks for your help, really glad i found this forum, it doesn't seem such a big problem when you know other people have suffered the same.

Might try the WD40 thing first, see if that works. If not does anyone know how much a new lock mech will cost me?

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

One other thing : If you do end up replacing the lock it may be best in the long run to get a new one from a reputable source  ie genuine VW ..
Beware of second hand ones as they maybe  buggered ones that have been replaced under warranty ! A lot of sodding about if you fit one and end up with even more faults than you had before !.

[PaulMK4GTI]

Yeah, i thoguth that myself. Had breifly considered going to a scrappers for one but the likelyhood of them being in working order is doubtful. Looks like its the dealership then! Cheers to evryone for the advice.

[richy]

Hi.  I've got the same model as you Paul, and I had the exact same problem a few months after I bought my car. 

I got the passenger door lock mechanism replaced under warranty (I got my car used, from a VW stealership). 

Cheers,
Rich

[D Owen]

Again same car and the same problem with mine (like topher's actually).

When my passenger window finally gave up the ghost - I took off the panel and replaced the plastic clips after that, the problem of the pin popping up has gone......strange 

[kniterider]

had this prob on my mk4 gti for months now, feckin varies from drivers to passenger door, some times the switch is stuck in, sometimes it out...... bummer, so either me locks play up or me buzzer for when i leave me lights on etc dont work, i will get round to doing it, i just give the doors a feckin big slam in anger and it normally works..... will do the wd40 thing or fit and alternative kind of switch me self.....

glad to know we all have the same kind of probs.................

had mine 2 years now and it does me head in lol............ roll on next may when shes paid for then ill be getting rid!!

[PaulMK4GTI]

Jesus, this is a common problem! i was worried i was on my own with this one.

My car is under warranty as well, but just from a used car dealer, not VW so i doubt it's covered. I've read my warranty booklet and it just seems to cover engine/gearbox etc. I'm gonna give the guy a ring and see what he says but i'm sure if he can get out paying for it he will!

I'm gonna have to get it sorted soon cause it's winding me up now, i've not had to walk around the other side of the car to lock the door since since having a Mk2 fiesta!