Mk4 golf, I can't lock doors - help pls!

[silver16v]

Hi, got a 2001 mk4 gti and I can't lock the car using either the keyfob or the door lock.

I can lock and unlock the doors from inside using the button inside the car, and it also starts and drives fine.

I have replaced the battery in the keyfob but no joy with that either.

Any assistance greatly appreciated thanks

[BoraBora]

have you tried all your locks ?

[silver16v]

if the car is locked I can open the tailgate with the key. If I try the drivers door with the key it just turns without unlocking the door

[cupraglasgow]

Had a similar problem with my Seat Leon 2004, door wouldnt lock from outside and i had to lock the car from passenger side from inside then close the door so the car was secure.
Tested with vagcom and was a door lock sensor was £100 from Seat dealer which fixed the fault,I think the golf will have the same door lock mech and sensor in it, dont know for sure

[silver16v]

thanks, will look into that

[Peperami]

Bizarre one, but the interior light unit is on the same circuit as the central locking system. If the doors lock fine manually, but central locking doesnt work, it can be this thats shorting and needs replacing.

[BoraBora]

a small part of the locking mechanism totally deteriorated in my drivers side door lock, the thing to do is take the lock out, needs a torx 25 screwdriver bit and try and see if you can initiate the central locking using a flat headed screw driver ( youll know what to do once you see it when the locks out ), if it works through that, put the key in the lock and twist it see if the paddle turns with it.