[s-cars] Alarm system/locking system problems

[Peter Schulz]

Keith:

I had my own adventure bringing home a new to me Black/black  93 UrS4 this weekend.
lessons learned:

Fuel filler flap won't open if central locking doesn't work.
If central locking isn't' working and the key doesn't open the trunk, you can't open the trunk,
If you driving home and need to fuel up because the fuel gauge is in the red zone below E, the above issue IS an issue.
If you can't open the trunk, you can't disconnect the fuel filler flap latch from within,
However if you have a sent of needle nose pliers you might be able to retract the latch far enough to open the flap.
I swapped the central locking vacuum pump when I got home with another used one, and now the system works, the trunk unlocks, fuel flap opens, etc.
there were some very clear warnings on a decal on the pump and in the Bentley repair manual to ensure that you disconnect the middle of the three connectors first to prevent damage to the unit.

I hope you did the same.

Also, are you sure the issues aren't relating to a failing remote fob?

As to my adventure, the bad news is there may be a reason the fuel gauge was below E
…the tank is leaking ;-(


-Peter
-Peter Schulz
Chelmsford Ma, USA
http://www.naaclub.org/

1995.5 S6 Avant Emerald/Ecru
1995.5 S6 Avant Silver/Platinum
1991 90Q 20v Q Red
1991 90Q 20v Indigo
1991 CQ silver  (eS2 recipient) 


On Jan 14, 2013, at 10:04 AM, Keith Franchetti wrote:

> 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
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-Peter Schulz
Chelmsford Ma, USA
http://www.naaclub.org/

1995.5 S6 Avant Emerald/Ecru
1995.5 S6 Avant Silver/Platinum
1991 90Q 20v Q Red
1991 90Q 20v Indigo
1991 CQ silver  (eS2 recipient)