Dodgy central locking

[kabaman]

Having done a bit of work to my pre-cat 4.0 Griff, getting it ready for its MOT, I'm finishing off the last bits and pieces but....

The central locking doesn't appear to be playing ball.

When I try to lock it from the key fob it makes a half hearted effort but doesn't actually lock. It's as if the battery is flat - which it isn't.

If I try the button on the dash different things seem to happen depending upon how long I push it.

Something's clearly not right.

Any ideas anyone?

Just out of interest, the earth cable from the battery is extremely weedy. I added a cable down to the corner and throuhg the body onto the chassis some time ago. I wonder if something's been removed at some point iin the past? Again, any ideas?

Cheers,
N

[The AJP Griff]

Its worth checking both door switches as these can really play up things. If there are any signs of corrosion then its best to replace them rather than try to just clean them as they're only cheap for genuine Vauxhall ones-£8 or so. Also change the connectors if in any doubt and give it all a good dousing in wd40 or similar before refitting. Vaux part no. for the switch is 90210575 by the way.

[kabaman]

A further update in the hope that someone may save me some more time.

I've discovered three faults so far:

1) Sticky cable to boot holding lock in wrong position
2) Mis-aligned rod to the aluminium T piece on top of door doing same as above
3) Corroded door switches

Having sorted all this out I'm left with this situation:

With doors closed and pushing the lock button on the dash - everything locks as it should and LED comes on. But Locking from remote doeasn't lock the doors - in fact it looks like it tries - but is pushing the solenoids in the wrong direction (trying to unlock when already unlocked). So the keyfob only ever seems to unlock not lock.

Which makes me wonder if there's a relay that is responsible for switching polarity to solendoids that is not playing ball or worse that the central locking control is buggered and is not switching appropriately.

Anyone else had any similar issues?

N

[FlipFlopGriff]

Try disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds and reconnect. Will reset everything.
If not as you say relays may be an issue.
FFG

[Loubaruch]

You have replaced the door switches but are their connectors still corroded? Are they switching correctly, there should be pads on the doors to push the switches in fully. Hold both switches in fully and try to lock with the fob again, it may be as simple as that.

[EGB]

If its a META. Only press fob briefly once. With continued pressure it goes bananas! Unlocks then locks again and again. Good luck Eddie in Histon.

[kabaman]

Problem traced to relay behind dash. Removed, contacts cleaned, and hey presto - it works like a dream.

I didn't debug this in detail but the relay cover holds two relays - I assume that each one is responsible for feeding current in a specific driection to the solenoids. I may be wrong though but that would be my guess. Saying that I would have thought that some sort of change-over would be more appropriate - if that is the way it is supposed to work. Anyway....

[EGB]

The AJP Griff said:

Its worth checking both door switches as these can really play up things. If there are any signs of corrosion then its best to replace them rather than try to just clean them as they're only cheap for genuine Vauxhall ones-£8 or so. Also change the connectors if in any doubt and give it all a good dousing in wd40 or similar before refitting. Vaux part no. for the switch is 90210575 by the way.

Use genuine electrical contact cleaner for all contacts, Servisol or Halfords. WD40 not always the best.