[s-cars] Alarm system/locking system problems

[Keith Franchetti]

Hi All-

So I replaced the central locking system pump (is this known as the CLP?)
about 3 weeks ago, because the old one got contaminated by battery acid.  I
managed to get the foam box fairly clean of the acid (I believe) and I
replaced the car battery.  Things seemed to have been back at baseline.

Then yesterday my wife had the car.  When she came out of a store, she
found that it wouldn't start--didn't even try to crank. She could hear what
turned out to be the pump working to lock the doors and arm the alarm.
 When she got out of the car, the alarm went off.  When she closed the car,
she couldn't get back in because the car had locked itself. (She is NOT
happy with my Audi obsession currently).

When I arrived to investigate I found that upon unlocking, the car
immediately relocks itself.  By being quick, I was able to get back into
the car.  It wasn't starting for her (I believe) because the alarm was
arming. (The fog light button light was blinking).  I ended up being able
to get home by pulling the central locking pump, disconnecting it,
reconnecting it, and I guess sort of tricking it long enough to start car.
 When I arrived home and shut the car off, the alarm immediately re-armed.
 I've disconnected the vacuum hose so I don't get locked out again, and
then (to keep the pump from running every few seconds, I disonnected one of
the connectors to the pump, but of course that also prevents car from
starting.

Does anyone think this could be as simple as the brain in my new (used) CL
pump being bad?  Is there even a "brain" in that thing?  I was surprised to
see how much plugs into it (3 different connectors)

Some other possibly related symptoms:
1.  There seem to be many more gremlins when temp is in the 40-55 range
with very high humidity or rain.
2.  These have included the dashboard chime (I think it was the reminder to
put on your seatbelt) continuing to chime for up to a full minute or two.
3.  The radio looks on, and comes on for a half second upon starting, then
won't make any sound for about that same time frame (60-90 seconds).
4.  I'm pretty sure on the highway the day before my wife's problem, my
sunroof tipped open on it's own, then closed after about 5 seconds.  (I
know this sounds crazy--I also though it could have been a huge gust,
opening a seal somewhere, briefly, but I don't really think so)
5.  I do have occasional problems with the sunroof area not draining
properly.  I'm going to finally clean those drainage tubes (with any luck)
today. Could water be getting somewhere to cause my locking problem?
6.  There are probably more transient symptoms I'm forgetting, which , as I
say, may not even be related.

Does anyone have any bright ideas on what might be at the heart of my
problems? Thanks much in advance!

Keith
Burlington, VT

'95.5 S6 Avant
'01 A6 2.7T 6-speed