[s-cars] Auto-Locking System Emergency

[Keith Franchetti]

Here are a couple more details that may or may not be relevant to finding the likely source of problem.

 The mechanical lock mechanism (activated physically with the key) has been broken on driver's side since I've owned the car and quite a while before that (1-2 years at least).  But I've still locked and unlocked all the doors from the driver's side via the auto-system (vacuum driven).  Now that is not working, though I DO get the little beep when I try to lock, indicating the alarm is armed.  HOWEVER, no alarm sounds when I open a door.  On the passenger side, both the mechanical and auto systems were working before yesterday.  Now only the mechanical works.  Alarm is same as driver's side:  I get the beep, but the alarm is not actually arming.  

This all leads seems to be leading me to the vacuum box itself.  In my 200 20V, I know that was right by the battery under the rear seat.  Guess I'll see if I can unearth that.  I took a quick look yesterday, but it didn't look as easy to access as I was hoping.  Nothing like the added motivation of now being stranded. . . .

Keith