Stuart's Volkswagen Golf Mk 5/V Forum

Hi Stuart,

I have an 08 reg Mk 5 Golf (I think).

This morning the central locking stopped working... I can't place the fault exactly, but I the light on the keyfob still lights up when I press the button so I assume this isn't the problem.

I've resorted to manual locking of the door, but it seems the central locking isn't working on any of the doors... What's worrying me is that the child lock is engaged in the back on one of the doors, so I don't think I can get that open at all until I get this working again.

Anyhow, just wanted to know if you're familiar with this problem, and whether it's easily fixable (no DIY skills at all!)... I'm trying to do this inexpensively, as I was hoping to sell the car in the next 2-3 months.

Any advice appreciated.

Ho

Hi Ho,

Sorry for the delay in replying and sorry to hear about the problem with your car's central locking.

I haven't heard of this particular problem - i.e. everything stopping working. I don't think this is a common problem. I am assuming that pressing the interior lock/unlock button on the driver's door has no effect?

If it was me I would get the car's fault codes read. This might tell you exactly which component is at fault.

Failing that you could check the condition of the wires as they pass from the car body to the driver's door. This isn't so common a problem as with the wires from the car body to the tailgate but I have heard of this happening. Check if any wires have broken. If this is the problem this is a relatively cheap (if fiddly) fix.

If still no joy, I guess the only remaining possible source of the problem would be with the convenience system control unit itself which is located behind the glove box. Replacing this would be a big job though as I believe a new unit would need to be coded to match your car.

I wouldn't worry so much about the child locked rear door until you have investigated fully the central door locking. If you get that fixed, the rear door may just open. However, if you cannot get the central locking working, there are lots of videos online. Many for the Mk 4 golf but I suspect the Mk 5 is similar. Just search for "Volkswagen golf open rear door locked"

Hope that helps. Let me know how you get on,

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5
https://twitter.com/radox2235

Stuart,


Thank you for your detailed response and apologies for my own late response! I really appreciate the time you took to write that.

I investigated the problem further:

• Remote doesn’t work, but the light on the fob still lights up when buttons pressed, so I figured it wasn’t a battery problem.
• When I use the key at the driver door, it only opens the driver side door. A second turn doesn’t do anything (I think normally this secont turn should unlock the central locking?)
• The central locking works fine from inside, using the lock/unlock button.

So I guess if the central locking itself is working and the fob is still lighting up, then it would be the electric (maybe???) mechanism that activates the central locking from the driver side or remore reciever? (apologies, I’m not great with terminology!)

There are plenty of videos I found on how to repair a door lock module, but I wonder whether the problem is the whole module, or a specific element, e.g. a wire?

What do you reckon?


Ho

Sorry, just to add… I believe the door lock module controls the central locking completely, so if it works from inside, I can only guess it’s not the whole module?

Hi Ho,

This is good news! So it sounds like it is just the door lock module on the driver’s door which is faulty. This is a common problem. I had to replace this myself on my car a few years ago (http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5/drivers_door_lock_replacement/ )

Getting to this module is not so difficult. You could either replace the whole door lock module – which is what I did. But I have since found lots of videos on YouTube, like you, about how these modules work. It does sound like they can be repaired but I have my doubts about how long such repairs would last. It’s up to you.

Good luck. Hope you get it sorted,

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5
https://twitter.com/radox2235

Thanks Stuart, much appreciated.

Cheers and take care, buddy.

H