2002 Mk 2.5 1.8i S-VT - standard Mazda locking plus Meta Alarm/imobiliser
A month or so ago when using the Meta remote control for the alarm/immobiliser (which also activates the central locking) the doors would unlock and then immediately lock again. (Prior to this, they would sometimes lock whilst I was driving.) Not having had the time to investigate I have been using only the standard key entry, which of course unlocks the passenger door as well.
Today, when unlocking the car with the key, both doors unlocked as normal, I opened the driver’s door to unlatch the bonnet, closed the door and a miinute or so later the doors locked themsleves.
I’d be grateful if anyone has any ideas that they could throw at this. I’d considered (as a temporary measure) taking out the central locking fuse, but I belive this is shared by the heated rear screen, something I definitely don’t want to be without… Altternatively I considered taking ther door cards off and temporarily disconnecting the central locking wire - or is there an easier way of doing this, such as a single cable under the dashboard or in the engine compartment?
Not much help I’m afraid, but mine does the same. I don’t have the remote though, and I haven’t had the door relock itself after shutting it, but it does sometimes not open properly as you describe.
I’ve noticed the passenger door is a lot easier to operate, and never has any problems.
maybe it’s wear in the lock mechanism, or maybe dirt or water gets into the lock and fouls it or washes away the lubrication over time. (though if you use the remote, probably won’t be this)
Might have a go at it at our next tech day in May (probably)
Thanks Andy. I hadn’t thought of seeing what happens if I operate (unlock) the passenger door. I suspect the problem is associated with the Meta alarm/immobiliser but can’t be sure. Last night I noticed that the lock actuator on the driver’s door was chattering away to itself when the car hadn’t been used all day. It stopped afetr a few seconds and I trust that didn’t start up again overnight as I’ll end up with a low battery. I suspect the battery isn’t long for this world anyway and I’m wondering if this is a factor, but even so, it shouldn’t be the cause of the locks actuating while I’m driving.
Does the interior light work off the drivers door? If the Mazda system doesn’t see a door open after unlocking it’ll relock itself. A sticky door pin switch or corroded contacts on one can cause these issues.
Thanks for that. Yes, the interior light is working as normal. Whether opening a door with the remote for the ‘all singing dancing’ alarm/immobiliser or by the key, sometimes the door would immediately lock again and sometimes after two or three minutes, even if the door had been opened. I recently excercised the lock barrels through their full range of ‘lock/unlock’ movement after squirting WD40 into them and re-seated the central locking fuse and since doing this I’ve had no further probelms. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I spoke too soon! The current situation is generally as follows: Unlock the car with the remote which works the Meta alarm and unlocks the doors. The doors unlock and then immediatley lock again. Try this again, usually with the same result. At this point unlocking the car with the key will unlock the door and it’s 50/50 whether the standard Mazda alarm will then go off. If it does, re-arming the system with the remote (with the door open) and then disarming it with the remote, stops the Mazda alarm horn, and all is well. (I haven’t been locked in whilst on the move for some weeks now.)
On Sunday, the Mazda alarm went off for no apparent reason and nothing would stop it. I ended up disconnecting the alarm horm to make peace with my neighbours, but the indicators still flash. After about a minute, all is well again, the system disarming itself and the engine will start.
The ‘all singing dancing’ Meta alarm has never gone off or shown any sign of malfunction. The problem appears to ne associated with the standard Mazda installation and/or door lock actuators.
From the handbook I discovered that there are two fuses for the power locking system. One under the dashboard and the other under the bonnet. I’ve had both out and cleaned the contacts to no avail.
I appreciate the difficulty of diagnosing electrical problems but if anyone has any ideas, I’d be grateful to receive them. Is it possible to de-activate the Mazda system completely, even if it means disconnecting the central locking?