Boot Release and Central Locking

Technical Area Electrics & ICE
21

Hello , again, Robbie,
Just to update you:

I’ve carried out the Actuator direct power feed test that you suggested. On a count of twenty , ‘power ups’ I had one hundred percent success, with the Actuator satisfactorily and instantaneously moving full ‘stroke’. Possibly not that surprising , as it’s simply a solenoid, with no obvious abuse , nor sign of a ‘burn out’ . Pretty pleased that I didn’t rush off and purchase a new one; however, obviously still have that boot lock malfunction. Further tests, as per your check list, over the weekend.

Thanks again,

Malcolm (tyton11)

22

Hello, once again, Robbie,

Here are the results of my voltage checks on my MX5 Relay / Actuator:

Firstly, as I previously informed you, applying 12v directly to the Actuator resulted in 100% , (20 out of 20) positive operation.

Checking both the Orange and Blue / Red wire(s) resulted in a reading of 12.45 for the Orange and 12.20 for the Blue / Red. Voltage dropping to circa 12.17 v. Interestingly, during this check, the Actuator was triggered twice, but then stopped.

As for the Red / White wire voltage check, then 12.40 v was recorded, which momentarily dropped to 1.72 v when the boot release button was activated - but that was with a digital,(slow relative response) meter.

Red wire showed 0 v , then 0.16 , when the release button was activated, (slow, digital meter?)

Black wire showed 0 v, then 0.01v when the release button was pressed.

During these tests, the Actuator actually , ‘triggered’ randomly; given that in all instances, the relay could be heard to ,‘click’ I considered poor connectivity at the spade terminal connector block. Remembering that I had a can of WD-40 ‘Specialist’ Fast Drying Contact Cleaner. I sprayed this into the white, relay connector, from the wire entry end. Then, from ten attempted, boot release operations, the Actuator 'triggered ’ ten times. I then closed the boot and got my grandson to press the Key fob, boot release, once again 100% release, from ten , ‘attempts’ . I then decided to remove the Relay and it’s white, ‘carrier’ from the mating, (wire entry) half, in order to clean the spade terminals with Contact Cleaner soaked cotton buds - just in case. Upon reassembling the Relay / Carrier terminal block, I recorded a further, ten successful , Key-fob boot opening operations - which was repeated the next morning.

Therefore it might appear that spade terminal , ‘contamination’ was the reason for the Relay / Actuator malfunction? Certainly, all appears well , right now.

Finally, I thank you for taking the time to assist me on this perplexing matter - your input and Test Procedure have been greatly received. As you well know, far better to conduct tests and deduce an answer, than to randomly change components in the vague hope of rectifying a problem.
Many, many thanks, yet again.

Malcolm (tyton11)

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