How to fix car central locking system
How to fix car central locking system.
How to fix car central locking system
Most times car owners are faced with a central locking problem on their car. However, finding out what the problem is can be very difficult. So if you notice that none of the doors is opening, it’s often due to an issue with the central locking in general. Sometimes it could be an electrical issue of some kind. Here are some other reasons for the central locking system.
Here Are 5 Common Reasons Why Your Car Door Isn’t Locking Properly
Is your central lock keeping you from getting into your car? Then you need to know what’s going wrong and take steps to stop it from happening again. Here are the five common reasons why your car central locking system is not working.
- Your Car Key Fob Battery Is Dead:
Surprised? You shouldn’t, it’s one of the most common reasons why your car central locking system is not working. However, if your locks aren’t working, replacing the battery in the key fob can solve the issue.
- Car Key Fob Is Faulty:
Once you observe the battery isn’t the problem, then the issue maybe with the fob itself. Visit your car dealer for computerized fob inspection to ensure that the programming is still good. But once it’s not sending a signal, the fob will likely have to be replaced.
- Car Fuse Is Blown:
Once you notice one door isn’t working, but others do, the problem could be a blown fuse. This means replacing the fuse will correct the problem. Meaning this could be a cheap and easy fix.
- Car Solenoid Is Bad:
Like before, if one door isn’t working, but others do, the problem could be with the door lock solenoid. This means replacing it may require removing the car door panel.
- It Could Be A Broken Wire:
Note that if the lock isn’t getting power, hold the lock switch either up or down, and then open and close the door repeatedly to observe if the lock will work. But if it works sometimes, you probably have a broken wire.
Here Is How To Fix Car Central Locking System
Inspect The Battery:
We understand that you don’t want to be kicking yourself later because you missed something so obvious. Once you use your key fob to open and close car locks and nothing happens, examine your battery isn’t dead.
- Also, just like your car, your key has a tiny battery that must be replaced from time to time.
Change The Key Fob:
Once you observe that the battery doesn’t solve the problem, then you may have a faulty key fob.
- Visit your dealer and they will be able to hook up to the computer that controls your keyless entry and ensures the key fob is still programmed.
- Once the key fob isn’t sending a signal, it will need to be replaced.
Inspect the other doors:
Note that before ripping off a door and changing the wiring when it doesn’t open, inspect the other door locks first.
- In case they don’t work, then there’s a good chance that you might have a blown fuse.
- Note that this can usually be fixed with a simple replacement.
Diagnose the solenoid:
Once you observe that the other doors work, the problem could be the door lock solenoid.
- Once this is the case, then a mechanic can diagnose the problem. And if necessary, the mechanic can remove the car door panel and replace the solenoid.
Try to defrost the lock:
Before inspecting an individual lock mechanism, work the door lock manually up and down (or backward and forwards in newer vehicles) while using your auto-lock button at the same time. But just make sure the key is “on”.
- In case the lock tries to move, then the problem could be a frozen lock mechanism or a faulty solenoid.
- However, for a frozen lock, you can use a hairdryer (or the flame from a match or lighter) to heat the key or the lock mechanism itself, to thaw it out.
- Here is another option, use a lock de-ice or even any battery-powered key that heats up and melts the ice.
Just spray lubricant:
Once your lock is still sticking, then find a multi-purpose spray lubricant and use the supplied tube to spray inside the lock mechanism.
- However, you should let the lock sit about 10 minutes, and then it should open easily.
Now open and close the driver’s side door:
In case the central locking system doesn’t seem to be getting power, then hold the door lock switch in the up or down position and slowly open and close the door several times to see if the lock attempts to work.
- In case it does, there’s probably a broken or partially broken wire in the hinge area. Now your mechanic will have to pull out the wiring and check for breaks or cracks.
- Note that it’s not a good idea to try the windows.
- Remember that car power locks offer great convenience. .
Conclusion on how to fix car central locking system
As said earlier, the car central locking system is a must-have for any car because it offers convenience. It gives access to your car without touching anything except the buttons on the key fob. But electrical and other components of it don’t last forever.
Meaning that there are times you will find it broken, even from the start. So keep in mind the tips in this guide once you face the problem.