Door Locks not working properly.

[Bob Dz.]

Ok, for those of us out of warranty when this happens, how do we get Lotus to pay??? Should I start a "Official Door Lock thread" to find out how many of there are of us?

Lotus should pay for this, maybe it should be a recall or "campaign" as they like to call it. Make sure you save your receipts for future reimbursement. I believe the job costs about $300-400 as the part is $90 and then 2-3 hours taking apart the dash.

This part should not be "going" in a 3-5 year old car, ESPECIALLY, since we probably only open/close the car about 5-10% a normal car. So technically, if you used your Elise everday, this part would have broken within the first year?!?!? LUCAS is that you?!?!?!

Sorry for the rant. I'm also having an AC issue where it won't keep a charge.

[rbadali]

I am having the same issue... Did changing the CDL work?

[rob13572468]

just noticed this thread... if both door locks exhibit the same problem (e.g. bloth locks are sluggish) then its not a mechanical problem and probably not a problem with the CDL module.. the signs point to a supply (current) problem. This means that the CDL circuit is not getting enough power to move the lock solenoids and could be a grounding issue, a wiring/connector issue or a supply side issue ( e.g. problem at the fuse.)


the way to resolve this (also with any of the other various CDL problems here) is with a little bit of testing with a voltmeter... the guess and replace method is only going to waste money. check pins 9 and 10 of the CDL for 12v and ground. (10 should show 0 ohms to battery ground and 9 should show greater than 12v.)

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by rbadali

I am having the same issue... Did changing the CDL work?

The one I ordered shipped last week, so I should get it some time this week... I'll post in this thread as to if it fixes the problem or not once it comes in... It will only take me about 15 min's to swap out with the EU dash, so I'll be doing it the day it arrives as long as it's not raining.

[Dragon]

CDL came in today. I swapped it out and YAY! MY DOOR LOCKS WORK!!! 4-5 weeks of manually locking them was starting to become quite the pain in the a$$. Especially when you have your hands full of $hit.

[TheViper]

Great news Probably too late, but it would be great to post photos of removal of the top of the dash and location of CDL for future reference, as this keeps popping up.
Michael

Originally Posted by Dragon

CDL came in today. I swapped it out and YAY! MY DOOR LOCKS WORK!!! 4-5 weeks of manually locking them was starting to become quite the pain in the a$$. Especially when you have your hands full of $hit.

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by TheViper

Great news Probably too late, but it would be great to post photos of removal of the top of the dash and location of CDL for future reference, as this keeps popping up.
Michael

My car's EU spec so it has a different dash. Evidently it's WAY easier swap on my car than the FED models. It literally only took me about 5 min's.

[TheViper]

But didn't you have to remove the dash top?

Originally Posted by Dragon

My car's EU spec so it has a different dash. Evidently it's WAY easier swap on my car than the FED models. It literally only took me about 5 min's.

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by TheViper

But didn't you have to remove the dash top?

Nope... Just remove the speaker cover/Light switch piece then move the air vent tube out of the way and it's right there behind it... Not to difficult on my car.

Behind this... (not my car) Mine has a air vent instead of the hazard light switch and the light switches are mounted more towards the door pannel.



I still haven't found where the alarm unit is mounted on my car yet... I need to find it so I can do the antenna mod and have more than 5 ft of range.

Edit: This is my car. I also have my navigation / radar detector / notifies me when a police cell phone in the area is in use / notifies me when police frequency radio in the area is in use / notifies me of speed trap areas / tells me where the traffic cameras are etc unit mounted to it... It kicks butt

[TheViper]

I guess it would be easier on EU spec cars as the dash is different, with the speakers on top. I am also wondering if the CDL is on the left side in a U.S. car.
Michael

Originally Posted by Dragon

Nope... Just remove the speaker cover/Light switch piece then move the air vent tube out of the way and it's right there behind it... Not to difficult on my car.

Behind this... (not my car) Mine has a air vent instead of the hazard light switch and the light switches are mounted more towards the door pannel.



I still haven't found where the alarm unit is mounted on my car yet... I need to find it so I can do the antenna mod and have more than 5 ft of range.

Edit: This is my car. I also have my navigation / radar detector / notifies me when a police cell phone in the area is in use / notifies me when police frequency radio in the area is in use / notifies me of speed trap areas / tells me where the traffic cameras are etc unit mounted to it... It kicks butt

[D Britt]

Originally Posted by Dragon

CDL came in today. I swapped it out and YAY! MY DOOR LOCKS WORK!!!

Congrats on the fix Dragon. My new CDL unit is supposed to arrive today from Lotus Garage. The fact that this fixed your problem is encouraging.

In an effort to give back just a small amount of the knowledge I have gained from this group over the years, it is my intent to document and photograph my dash removal and CDL module replacement. I know there are other posts with dash removal photos, but I figure a post specifically devoted to the apparently common CDL problem wouldn't hurt.

My car is still under warranty, but the nearest dealer is 4 hours away, plus I kinda wanna do it myself . Only hitch is that I spent pretty much all last weekend (which happened to be my 6th wedding anniversary ) installing oil temp and pressure gauges. I think I'd rather try to teach chinese to a monkey than do that again. So I'm not sure if I can get to it this week. Anyway, that is my intent.

[D Britt]

Replaced my central door locking module last night on my '06 Elise after my doors locked but refused to unlock with the fob or central switch. The problem was definitely the CDL module and now everything works fine.

I used the excellent dash removal instructions from Buzzy, which were very detailed and easy to follow:

(My Dash Removal Instructions)

The problem is that Lotus bolts the CDL module in almost the most inaccessible place to the far left side of the car underneath the dash top. I couldn't even see it at first after I took off the dash. It is hidden under a wad of foam padding that separates the dash components from the fiberglass body and also an immovable a/c vent tube. The padding is very stubborn and I could only move it a little before seeing the edge of the module box. The good news is that the wiring harness plugs in from the driver's side, so it was easy to unplug. I removed the retaining screw and washer from one side of the old module, but found it impossible to get to the other screw due to its inaccessibility. I ended up simply leaving the old one where it was. I wedged the new box in an almost perfectly fitted groove behind the instrument panel, using double-sided trim tape to wedge it in good. Next time the CDL fails (which I expect it will after another mere 12,000 miles), I should be able to access it by simply removing the driver's side cubby.

I am still wondering why a) Lotus continues to use a CDL module that apparently fails regularly and b) they installed it where it is, rather than placing it in one of the many more accessible spots inside the dash.

Overall, the project cost ~$85 for the new module and about 6 hours of time.

Hope this helps anyone who wants/needs to do this themselves.

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by D Britt

Replaced my central door locking module last night on my '06 Elise after my doors locked but refused to unlock with the fob or central switch. The problem was definitely the CDL module and now everything works fine.

I used the excellent dash removal instructions from Buzzy, which were very detailed and easy to follow:

(My Dash Removal Instructions)

The problem is that Lotus bolts the CDL module in almost the most inaccessible place to the far left side of the car underneath the dash top. I couldn't even see it at first after I took off the dash. It is hidden under a wad of foam padding that separates the dash components from the fiberglass body and also an immovable a/c vent tube. The padding is very stubborn and I could only move it a little before seeing the edge of the module box. The good news is that the wiring harness plugs in from the driver's side, so it was easy to unplug. I removed the retaining screw and washer from one side of the old module, but found it impossible to get to the other screw due to its inaccessibility. I ended up simply leaving the old one where it was. I wedged the new box in an almost perfectly fitted groove behind the instrument panel, using double-sided trim tape to wedge it in good. Next time the CDL fails (which I expect it will after another mere 12,000 miles), I should be able to access it by simply removing the driver's side cubby.

I am still wondering why a) Lotus continues to use a CDL module that apparently fails regularly and b) they installed it where it is, rather than placing it in one of the many more accessible spots inside the dash.

Overall, the project cost ~$85 for the new module and about 6 hours of time.

Hope this helps anyone who wants/needs to do this themselves.

Great to hear this fixed your issue as well.. I'm also now very happy I have an EU version / dash... Now if I could only find where the alarm unit is mounted so I can pull out that antenna wire so I can use the remote from more than 2 ft from the car.

[TheViper]

Originally Posted by D Britt

I should be able to access it by simply removing the driver's side cubby..

Is it really accessible after removing the light switch/start button panel?
Michael

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by TheViper

Is it really accessible after removing the light switch/start button panel?
Michael

Yes, just need to pop the vent air tube out of the way and push it off to the side so you can reach threw... It's in the right corner under the dash... You have to watch out for all the sharp stuff though...

[TheViper]

Dragon, your dash is different from us "normal" owners here in the U. S of A, I was actually hoping D Britt would respond
Michael

Originally Posted by Dragon

Yes, just need to pop the vent air tube out of the way and push it off to the side so you can reach threw... It's in the right corner under the dash... You have to watch out for all the sharp stuff though...

[goelise]

My wife's daily driver - a Camry exhibited the same problem. I can hear/feel the solenoid moving and trying to move the lock to the open/lock position but could not move it enough. I took the inner door panels off and with a blast of wd-40 into the lock mechanisms while using the door lock controls to actuate them dramatically freed up the movement and it's worked since then - almost 1 year ago.

[Tyger]

I just had this problem too. It's much worse when it locks but doesn't unlock, trust me. It was late in the day, I was in Brooklyn, it was raining, and I had the roof on and windows rolled up. Luckily I was near Ft. Hamilton, so I went to the PX and bought pliers, some hangers, and picture-hanging wire. I made a slip knot with the picture wire and guided it onto the passenger locking post with the hanger wire (the hanger wire alone wouldn't grip the little groove on the post adequately).
It's definitely not a problem with the alarm itself – that arms and disarms just fine; moreover the CDL console button locks, but also will not unlock, the doors.
Has anyone had success fixing this problem? I'm guessing I'll need to replace the CDL module, but I'd like to hear what's worked for others.
~T

Originally Posted by Bob Dz.

I am having the reverse issue, doors will lock but not unlock. Good thing the windows were down the first time I had this happen There were a few others on this site having my issue. It's off to the dealer next week. I'll post what they have to say. Originally folks thought it was the battery in the key, but it's not that (in my case) as the little switch on the shifting column will lock the doors but not unlock it.

[TheViper]

Almost certainly the CDL module, sorry.
Michael

Originally Posted by Tyger

I just had this problem too. It's much worse when it locks but doesn't unlock, trust me. It was late in the day, I was in Brooklyn, it was raining, and I had the roof on and windows rolled up. Luckily I was near Ft. Hamilton, so I went to the PX and bought pliers, some hangers, and picture-hanging wire. I made a slip knot with the picture wire and guided it onto the passenger locking post with the hanger wire (the hanger wire alone wouldn't grip the little groove on the post adequately).
It's definitely not a problem with the alarm itself – that arms and disarms just fine; moreover the CDL console button locks, but also will not unlock, the doors.
Has anyone had success fixing this problem? I'm guessing I'll need to replace the CDL module, but I'd like to hear what's worked for others.
~T

[Tyger]

Originally Posted by TheViper

Almost certainly the CDL module, sorry.
Michael

That's what I figured. Now waiting to see D Britt's promised "how to" photos.