Central locking is slow

[llol_slim]

just searching through the m3 section, and couldnt find anything on this.
My central locking is slow to respond, and in order to make it work, you have to turn the key real slow..
is this normal? Its a J reg Mk 3.
It's almost like it struggles to lock the car. I know it works on a vacuum / pump, is this why? Is there anything I can do to improve responsiveness? I wondered if maybe it needs bleeding or something? Or do i just have to put up with turning the key real slow? Sometimes if you turn it too fast, it doesnt do anything.
Thanks
Laurie

[Len]

Its an electric air pump. That is situated under the offside rear lens cluster inside the boot.
You may have a leak in one of the air pipes or the motor or pump is getting old and knackered.
Suggest you unfasten the pump, its got some foam type padding, and see what you can hear when key is turned. perhaps disconnect an air hose and see how strong the blow is.

[llol_slim]

Its an electric air pump. That is situated under the offside rear lens cluster inside the boot.
You may have a leak in one of the air pipes or the motor or pump is getting old and knackered.
Suggest you unfasten the pump, its got some foam type padding, and see what you can hear when key is turned. perhaps disconnect an air hose and see how strong the blow is.

right, thanks very much for that, i'll do it as soon as I've collected it from the garage. It's a bit annoying, it seems to struggle with the drivers side rear door especially. It just scares me that one day I'll lock it and one door wont lock! When I have some money I think I'll buy a proper alarm for it. Toad or thatchem or something.

[Len]

The alarm wont affect the central locking just work with the existing components.

You will always be able to unlock a door with the key mate so dont worry.

[llol_slim]

The alarm wont affect the central locking just work with the existing components.

You will always be able to unlock a door with the key mate so dont worry.

ha ha ha, stupid me!! Of course it wont!!
I was thinking it was remote central locking ... how silly
thanks!!

[patch900]

My central locking is responsive but a bit on he slow side. Never really had anything to compare it to though !

Will have to check out the pump, cheers Len

[EvilScotsman]

Having to turn the key slowly sounds like that is a seperate fault wi the key barrel, the switch on the inside is probably rotating wi the barrel when moved quick hence no response, and moved slowly theres enough friction to keep it still till it makes contact and triggers the pump sequence. Strip out the door card an I bet the circlip has fallen off or is loose.

If the buttons are slow to go down or up, as len says the pump's pressure is probably low due to dried out seals etc, maybe it can be rejuvenated wi silicon etc? Might look at that one as an article.

[llol_slim]

Having to turn the key slowly sounds like that is a seperate fault wi the key barrel, the switch on the inside is probably rotating wi the barrel when moved quick hence no response, and moved slowly theres enough friction to keep it still till it makes contact and triggers the pump sequence. Strip out the door card an I bet the circlip has fallen off or is loose.

If the buttons are slow to go down or up, as len says the pump's pressure is probably low due to dried out seals etc, maybe it can be rejuvenated wi silicon etc? Might look at that one as an article.

very very helpful suggestions there, thanks very much I will look into both parts, the combination sounds exactly what is happening.
Unfortunately, there was a bit of an accident with someone who works at the garage (he rolled his car) and now my car won't be done until monday  I've had it for a week and not seen it since the day it broke down!