Door Locks not working properly.

38362 Views 139 Replies 55 Participants Last post by snowblind, 1 mo ago

Dragon

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2009

When I arm the alarm the door locks will not lock... They wiggle a little and you can hear the solenoid trying to move them, but they won't budge. This happens on both doors. I pysically locked them and unlocked them a few times and it started working again, but then failed after about the 10th time. Since then they have gone back to the same issue. They do the exact same thing if I use the switch in the center console. If I psychically push them down to lock the doors and then use the switch or remote they will unlock no problem. It would appear something is binding up in the mechanism. I'm wondering if any one has had the same issue and what the fix was. I'm also interested in any technical diagrams of the internals of the lock assy if any one has them. I removed the door panel and saw that the whole assy it is all enclosed in a black box so I can't see anything

and I haven't had the time to dig in to it yet.

Your help will be much appreciated..

Chris

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SirLotus

· #2 · May 3, 2009

As it is happening on both doors I conclude that it is a CDL module intermittent issue.The alarm system signals the CDL, so that is an outside possbility too.
Cheers,
Michael

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 3, 2009

TheViper said:
As it is happening on both doors I conclude that it is a CDL module intermittent issue.The alarm system signals the CDL, so that is an outside possbility too.
Cheers,
Michael

Any idea of where that is mounted on a EU spec right hand drive car? This all started after about 2 weeks of rain and high humidity, so it's possible there is some water, moisture or oxidation in there that's wigging it out. It does seem like maybe it's trying to unlock the doors when it should be locking them so that could be the issue.

SirLotus

· #4 · May 3, 2009

This is for federal version, not sure if it is the same for EU.
Cheers,
Michael

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OldChap

· #5 · May 3, 2009

x2

I am having the exact same issue. 2005 federal Elise, no locking problems until last week. Pressing the lock button on the remote or center stack will wiggle the lock plungers (up, almost like they are being unlocked again) but not lower them to locked position. Repeated presses will arm/unarm the alarm and immobilizer as it should but the lock plungers never go down. Operating the plungers by hand works fine. (Once locked by hand, both the remote and center button will unlock the plungers.) Dragon, please let us know if you find a fix.

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 3, 2009

OldChap said:
I am having the exact same issue. 2005 federal Elise, no locking problems until last week. Pressing the lock button on the remote or center stack will wiggle the lock plungers (up, almost like they are being unlocked again) but not lower them to locked position. Repeated presses will arm/unarm the alarm and immobilizer as it should but the lock plungers never go down. Operating the plungers by hand works fine. (Once locked by hand, both the remote and center button will unlock the plungers.) Dragon, please let us know if you find a fix.

I'm gong to try to mess around with later on this week. Once I've figured out what the issue is I'll be sure to post it here... Hopefully somebody else will chime in that's already had the problem.. :wave:

scottyb

· #7 · May 4, 2009

I had a similar problem with my 1st Elise. Turned out the batter just didn't have enough juice. Once I swapped it out, the problem disappeared. Apparently it takes a nice amount of current for the locking mechanism to lock.

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 4, 2009

scottyb said:
I had a similar problem with my 1st Elise. Turned out the batter just didn't have enough juice. Once I swapped it out, the problem disappeared. Apparently it takes a nice amount of current for the locking mechanism to lock.

Hmm, I'll have to check out my sitting battery voltage and clean the terminals. I do get some water in the trunk every now and then. Will try to knock that out tomorrow.

scottyb

· #9 · May 4, 2009

Dragon said:
Hmm, I'll have to check out my sitting battery voltage and clean the terminals. I do get some water in the trunk every now and then. Will try to knock that out tomorrow.

I would bet it would be more of an issue with the current being put out, rather than the voltage. That would explain the partial lock attempt and why it stops after 10 times or so.

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 5, 2009

So I did a bit of trouble shooting today... Tried using the locks with the engine running (should have plenty of power), disconnected the battery, cleaned terminals, reconnected them and still no joy..

I was hoping that just disconnecting and reconnecting would maybe reset something, but no luck. I'll have to dig in to it further this weekend..

Bob Dz.

· #11 · May 5, 2009

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. "Hopefully" it's more than just a lose wire, and that it's covered under warranty.

Good luck.

SirLotus

· #12 · May 5, 2009

If it's not the CDL unit I would be suprised, but there again, many things suprise me about this car.
Cheers,
Michael

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 6, 2009

Dug in to the dash a bit today and found the CDL unit so I now know it's location. Does anyone have a part number for it by any chance. Also a place to order from would be great. Nearest Lotus dealer to me is 1,000 miles away and 990 of those miles are pacific ocean..

SirLotus

· #14 · May 6, 2009

Lotus Garage - Horn, Inertia Switch, Fuses & Relays
Cheers,
Michael

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 6, 2009

TheViper said:
Lotus Garage - Horn, Inertia Switch, Fuses & Relays
Cheers,
Michael

Sweet... Nice to see your still alive since the post currently under this one says "Viper may be dead"... LOL

Thanks for the link.. :wave:

SirLotus

· #16 · May 6, 2009

Just a rumor, I am very much alive

Dragon said:
Sweet... Nice to see your still alive since the post currently under this one says "Viper may be dead"... LOL

Thanks for the link.. :wave:

OldChap

· #17 · May 9, 2009

I'm not familiar with the CDL unit, but it requires replacement when it stops working? No connection tightening or realignment, etc.?

Dragon

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 9, 2009

OldChap said:
I'm not familiar with the CDL unit, but it requires replacement when it stops working? No connection tightening or realignment, etc.?

It's a circuit board with a chip on it and two relays. When the alarm is triggered it sends a low power voltage pulse to the CDL unit and the CDL unit then pulses 12volts power to the door lock solenoids. One relay is for the lock and the other is to unlock. I believe the lock / unlock is just the unit reversing the polarity of power to the solenoid. I didn't take the time to really trouble shoot the unit, but just went ahead and ordered a replacement. If you can hold out a bit for mine to come in I'll report back here as to if it fixed the problem or not.

D Britt

· #19 · May 13, 2009

Please keep us posted on how this turned out. I just developed a problem identical to Bob Dz.'s today. The doors lock with central locking button and remote, but won't unlock with either.

SirLotus

· #20 · May 13, 2009

Almost certainly CDL module, outside chance Alarm module.
Cheers,
Michael

D Britt said:
Please keep us posted on how this turned out. I just developed a problem identical to Bob Dz.'s today. The doors lock with central locking button and remote, but won't unlock with either.

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