central door locking solanoid

[shnozz]

Do these go progressively?

My nearside one has started playing up, doesnt always lock when the central locking is deployed. However, give the solanoid a few "ups and downs", shut the door and hey presto, it responds and locks.

I assumed being an electronic part it would become "lazy" but would either work, or not work. The obvious solution seems to be just to replace it, but i cant understand the logic behind it not working...

[k4trv]

shnozz said:

Do these go progressively? My nearside one has started playing up, doesnt always lock when the central locking is deployed. However, give the solanoid a few "ups and downs", shut the door and hey presto, it responds and locks. I assumed being an electronic part it would become "lazy" but would either work, or not work. The obvious solution seems to be just to replace it, but i cant understand the logic behind it not working...

Two issues:

First: Electrical - I'll work or not work, but don't discount the connections, or rather the "earth"
element will "give" the impression it's getting slower/lazy.

Second: Mechanical. Either the external work-load has increased (the door lock mechanism) - spray more WD40. Or the internal work load has increased - that is the solenoid has something inside it preventing it moving the full distance - oil gone thick (old WD 40 or maybe oil!!), water/rust ???

Probably a mixture of both Issues!!!

Trev McM

[shnozz]

k4trv said:

shnozz said: Do these go progressively? My nearside one has started playing up, doesnt always lock when the central locking is deployed. However, give the solanoid a few "ups and downs", shut the door and hey presto, it responds and locks. I assumed being an electronic part it would become "lazy" but would either work, or not work. The obvious solution seems to be just to replace it, but i cant understand the logic behind it not working... Two issues: First: Electrical - I'll work or not work, but don't discount the connections, or rather the "earth" element will "give" the impression it's getting slower/lazy. Second: Mechanical. Either the external work-load has increased (the door lock mechanism) - spray more WD40. Or the internal work load has increased - that is the solenoid has something inside it preventing it moving the full distance - oil gone thick (old WD 40 or maybe oil!!), water/rust ??? Probably a mixture of both Issues!!! Trev McM

well liberally applied WD40 already and still not done anything effective. Note what you say re a potential intermittant earth etc but just doesnt fit in with the fact that after its pulled up and down a few times it then always locks first time...

might just stick in a new solanoid but dont want to waste time/money if its likely to be another issue.

[ribol]

I have seen solenoids pack in all sorts of reasons, intermittent or not, gears inside worn, motor itself, bad connections inside etc. If you get to the point of replacing it, Maplins do them cheap, no better or worse than any others I have fitted, about £8.00 IIRC.

Ivan

[shnozz]

ribol said:

I have seen solenoids pack in all sorts of reasons, intermittent or not, gears inside worn, motor itself, bad connections inside etc. If you get to the point of replacing it, Maplins do them cheap, no better or worse than any others I have fitted, about £8.00 IIRC. Ivan

cheers for that - are they a straight swap?

[ribol]

There are basically two types of door solenoids used on central locking systems on most cars. They are physically both the same size and look the same, one has 2-wires, the other has 5-wires. The 5-wire has a built in changover switch, that is the only difference between the two. The 5-wire can be used in place of a 2-wire if need be. The spacing of the two mounting holes are the same and are a straight swop.

Ivan

[count duckula]

shnozz said:

ribol said: I have seen solenoids pack in all sorts of reasons, intermittent or not, gears inside worn, motor itself, bad connections inside etc. If you get to the point of replacing it, Maplins do them cheap, no better or worse than any others I have fitted, about £8.00 IIRC. Ivan cheers for that - are they a straight swap?

Malc