central locking question

[gumby6371]

Can anyone shed any light on this minor niggle, I can unlock/lock all doors from the drivers door using the key (plip not worked since I've owned car and not got round to that yet, feel free to offer advice).
However if I try to lock the car from the passenger side it locks then instantly unlocks again. I have found that if I lock it from the drivers door then go round to the passenger side I can open all except the drivers door then lock the same 3 doors.
It's an annoyance more than anything as I often have my 2 year old in the back so i have to get out, lock car, walk around unlock car, remove wriggling toddler, lock car again.

I'm not sure which lock mech is likely to be the culprit.

Any advice before a) blindly remove door cards and prod around, or b) sell toddler on black market and buy a coupe

Both front door cards will be coming off soon anyway when I get a warm dry day to try to remove some rattles/broken trim clips etc

Extra info, usual spinning keys which I've learned to live with but don't know if it's relevant, model 97 1.9td GLX with new cam belt and alternator belt only to discover the tensioner rattles like a b**ch with a new belt on another trip to CES

[eoin27]

Its a strange one alright. It could be one of the connectors to the lock in the door itself that is loose. Id have a good look around. Your plip isnt working you say...does the light flash when you push the button? If not, check the battery or clean the button contacts in the key, if it does then do the following....



1 Make sure all the gadgets are switched off, the driver’s window lowered down and open the bonnet.
2 Then close all the doors and take out the key from ignition (through the open window)
3 After a 3 minute interval, unplug the vehicle’s battery terminals and wait for a further 15 seconds.
4 Attach back the battery terminals and give a 10 second pause making sure the doors are closed (and do not close the bonnet in this time).
5 Turn the side lights on through the window.
6 Now insert the key and turn the engine on and inspect the system functioning.
7 Press and hold down the lock button on the key for 10 seconds while in the ignition.
8 Remove key and check the central locking system by unlocking and locking the door consecutively.
9 Turn the engine off and on again and finish inspecting the system.

Following any other procedure could cause malfunctioning of different units which depend on BSI.

[eoin27]

Oh you have a 1997. That doesnt have a BSI. I really should read over these things fully before I dive into big responses. Try holding the button on they key down for Ten seconds while the key is in the ON position. If you have the old school Infrared type key then maybe check out the sensor at the courtesy light.

[maxxymilian]

However if I try to lock the car from the passenger side it locks then instantly unlocks again.

The problem is in the door that you can lock/unlock with the key (not the passanger side). Probably the machine that locks/unlocks the door is broken. Get a replacement and change it. There is a battery in the key. Change that and try using the button.