Hi everyone, I'm new to Polo ownership (2 weeks in!) so thought I would join to read all the posts as best as I could but today thought I would ask about central locking. My car (see below for details) should have central locking via the key but nothing happens, no small motor buzz like it's even trying and I was wondering if this might be a simple fix, perhaps like a fuse has gone or something?

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Michael

1999 (V reg) Polo 1.4 CL, Petrol, RHD, Manual (No A/C)

Edited 14 June, 201412 yr by michaeldc

Welcome to the Forum.

Your central locking system is operated by a pump which is located in the boot behind the first aid box stowage area on the drivers side.

The pump can run in both directions - When locking the doors, it acts as a vacuum pump and when unlocking, it works as a compressor.

Common problems with this system include: Water ingress to the circuit board on which the pump is mounted. If you remove and examine this board and find any burned (blackened) printed circuit sections, it is almost certain that it has been caused by water ingress. - Some people have raised the position of the pump to avoid this happening again.

Another common problem is pipe breakage within the converluted rubber sleeves which connect each door to the door pillar.

With the pump failure problem, there is absolutely no sound at all, so this may well be your problem, but with the pipe breakage, you can hear an air leak when the pump is in operation (As the pump is not continuously rated, there is a timing section in the printed circuit which 'times it out' after a few seconds.)

If you need a new pump, a good second hand one may be your best (cheapest) bet. - They are simple to fit, the electrics just plug in, there is a connector on the pipe and the unit itself just sits in a recess.

Regards

Wonderful reply, thank you so much for that information :) is there a specific part number for the pump I would need for my model?

Thanks again!

The part number should be 1H0962257J according to vagcat

Thanks guys :)

Update: I went to have a look and... the power wasn't connected so I connected it and tried the drivers door, but no central locking sadly... what it did do was make a buzzing noise and it didn't stop until I unplugged the power. It didn't sound like an air release but a like a small motor buzz that went on and on - suddenly, the reason the power was disconnected was blindingly clear.

Can anyone diagnose that and offer any tips to fix it? Is it likely to be the unit itself? I have removed it and no sign of water and the circuit board looks totally fine.

I found a used but working box on ebay for about £30 which I would pay if people thought it might help fix it. I'm thinking it might as it is the box that's making this weird noise.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-CENTRAL-LOCKING-PUMP-1H0962257-/380691099801?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item58a2f53099

Thanks again, nearly solved the mystery and learnt another new thing about my car (last week I learned how power steering works and that if a pipe leaks it costs hundreds of pounds to fix!)

Edited 15 June, 201412 yr by michaeldc

That may well be OK, but before you buy it, I suggest that you check out the following: www.stevensvwspares.com I have used them several times and found them to be trustworthy.

That's something else that you have found out!

Regards

Thanks caretaker, you might end up becoming my hero before long!

In your opinion does the constant buzzing I describe suggest a faulty part or perhaps some sort of electrical or wiring issue?

I have a few more specific questions I would like to ask, should I start a new topic for them or perhaps add them to this one?

Thanks again! :)

If the buzzing stops when you unplug the central locking pump, its a fair bet that the pump is causing the noise. If you get someone else to turn 'on' the ignition switch for you whilst you hold the pump unit in your hand, you will probably feel the vibration in it.

It pays to open new topics when seeking answers to other problems, or people who are seeking information on the same subject may have difficulty locating it.

Regards.

The buzzing is definitely coming from the box, it's pretty loud so I would buy from the website you suggested, the part I need actually has an F at the end and when I searched that instead of 1H0962257J (which appears to be for Golfs) it was much cheaper at £40 put £5 p+p - unfortunately, it's out of stock! Finding it difficult to find one.

Are there any variants of the 1H0962257 which will work as well or is it very specific?

I will start some new topics and tag them correctly :)

Edited 15 June, 201412 yr by michaeldc

I suggest that you check out the following: www.stevensvwspares.com I have used them several times and found them to be trustworthy.

I emailed those guys and they said they had 1 of them in stock after all so I bought it, fingers crossed it fixed my central locking problem! Thanks for the tip!

Edited 16 June, 201412 yr by michaeldc

Well, the replacement pump came, I installed it and... exactly the same problem :( I turn the key and I hear it start whirring and buzzing and it just keeps going - the other locks don't open and I have to unplug the power to get it to stop. I'm guessing it's either a wiring issue or perhaps (hopefully) a fuse issue or something else not too major. I'm getting an auto electrician out to check a couple of things like the sidelight that won't go off when the engine is running and disabling the alarm and having it not interfere with the immobiliser so I might as well ask him his opinion on the central locking too.

On the flip side, I now have a (presumably) functioning central locking pump 1H0962257F going spare. Cost me £45 inc delivery so if anyone needs one I'd be up for selling it at a knock down price of say, £30. Better than just sitting in my car doing nothing!

Edited 19 June, 201412 yr by michaeldc

Sounds like you might have a vacuum pipe leak somewhere and that's why the pump is constantly going.

Right, I have read as many posts as I can about this and I believe there to be several things it could be, if anyone could advise if this is a reasonably exhaustive list of potential issues and if my ways to diagnose it are in any way sound then that would be great.

1 - A work colleague suggests the pump keeps running because of a grounding issue - after reading other archived posts, I am not inclined to think this…

2 - A leak in one of the pipes, either in the side of the doors, the tailgate.

3 - One or more of the door fuel flap actuators rubber gaiter seal is leaking (I have no idea what these are but posts suggest this is possible…

4 - The pump keeps running because a switch hasn't been activated on one of the door plungers. No idea on this one either…

5 - Loose connector to one of the doors that should be connected to the central locking system

6 - The external rubber diaphragm on the fuel filler flap solinoid has split and is leaking air.

To check I will follow the lead of others and do the following:

I will disconnect the air pipe at the pump, run the pump, and check the blue pipe to see if there is air flow.

Then I will cover the inlet to the pump with my finger, if it stops I will know it’s a leak issue and not a grounding problem or a faulty pump. I believe this is because a leak will continue to allow air into the pump but I am unsure why, I’m going of bits and piece of information I have read on this forum! “It would usually stop when it has pressurised all the door pumps/locks, however it keeps running because one isn't being reached”

Next is to connect as normal, try to use it and the systematically listen to the inside of both doors, tailgate, near the fuel flap and around the unit itself to see if I can isolate a leaking hiss sound. From the sounds of it, it should be reasonably audible.

Edited 22 June, 201412 yr by michaeldc