Car 'half' unlocking....

[Lloyd]

OK, bit of a weird one this. Damn annoying too.....

For some reason, when I go to open or lock the car using the keyfob, the door lock pins move about halfway and then go back to their start postion. ie: if locking the car stays unlocked and vice versa.

I can hear the vacuum pump making noise but it's like it gives up halfway.

I had a new Toad Alarm and Immob fitted earlier this year and the problem has existed since the alarm was installed. I'm keen to hear thoughts on what the root cause of the problem might be. I've recently fitted a new battery and alternator so that side of things should be tip top.

Could it be simply the vacuum pump is on the way out? Thanks for all input!

[driftin jo]

It sounds like the alarm is not energising the pump for long enough for it to make vacuum/pressure to get the door air solenoids to the open/ closed position.
I take it the pump works fine and central locking works as it should when you use the key in the door ?
If it has done it since the alarm was fitted why didn't you take it back to the fitters ?
It could just be a setting in the interface that need altering to give the pump time enough to open / close the locks.

[Lloyd]

It sounds like the alarm is not energising the pump for long enough for it to make vacuum/pressure to get the door air solenoids to the open/ closed position.
I take it the pump works fine and central locking works as it should when you use the key in the door ?
If it has done it since the alarm was fitted why didn't you take it back to the fitters ?
It could just be a setting in the interface that need altering to give the pump time enough to open / close the locks.

Just been out to test the key in all the doors.
Key in drivers door: All doors open and close as you would expect
Key in passenger door: All doors lock as you would expect, but only passenger opens.
Key in boot door: All doors open and close as you would expect

I would take it back to the fitters but they're about 120 miles away and would need the car for a working day. I've discussed it with them and I get the impression that they found this to be an issue when fitting. The tech confirmed that the pump pulse is as long as they can make it.

There is also a fairly loud 'click' when the drivers door opens/closes. I've had the door card off and found that the tech had put the door lock cable casing back into the wrong slot. This is fixed but still it's clicking and seems to be resistance at the click point.

Why would only passenger door open, but all doors close when key is in passenger lock? Any more thoughts on the issue? Thanks

[driftin jo]

The passenger door thing is will just be a switch not working to trigger the pump
or wiring to said switch.
The resistance you are talking about sounds like it could cause the problem, when you use the key you are overcoming this and so everything works as it should, I think whatever is causing the resistance to the unlock process is causing the problem.

[Lloyd]

Thanks for your thoughts Driftin Jo. You might well be right.

Having had the door card off a few weeks ago, I can only think that I need to remove and inspect the door latch itself. Are there any pointers for getting it back together in the right place? Sometimes the doors open and close OK, it's not always faulty.