Re: A4 remote locks

[ti@bazooka.amb.org (Ti Kan)]

Fringe Ryder writes:
> My '97 A4Q also has factory remote locks.  The blinkers only flash when
> locking the doors (and arming the factory-alarm), and the locks do indeed
> take several seconds to unlock.  Even odder, they unlock over a two-second
> period or so.  It's almost as if they're hydraulic or vacuum based rather
> than electric!

Yes, Audi central locking are all vacuum-operated.  This makes the
door lock plunger travel up and down in a smooth fashion.  I think it's
kind of cool.  However, on my A4q the up/down motion of the lock plunger
completes within a second.

> This does not bother me at all.  I mention it only because Jet's dealer is
> correct, at least for the '97.  (BTW, I believe the '97 fob looks completely
> different from the '96 fob too.)

It appears that Audi has completely redesigned the remote locking system
for the 97 models.  The 96 unit is a factory-installed option only and
cannot be easily retrofitted by the dealer (without some serious hacking,
anyway).  The 97 unit is apparently quite modular and is now a dealer-
installed option.  The key fob is also different for 97, now featuring
a "panic" button that did not exist in the 96.

The 97 system apparently doesn't flash the blinkers and side marker lights
when unlocking any more.

While we're on the subject of 96 vs. 97 differences, with the 96 cars,
you can close all windows and the sunroof from the outside of the car
using the key.  With the 97s, you can also open all windows with the
key too.  That's an interesting new twist.

-Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 Turbo
80 4000 2.0
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