Central Locking fix

Everything that doesn't belong in the previous categories probably belongs here. Interiour (how are the seats mounted? how to remove the CEM?) and exteriour (how to replace the popup-lights shock absorbers or a door) are discussed here!

Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel

Post Reply
User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Central Locking fix

Post by MisterH » Sat Aug 17, 2019 3:09 pm

'Afternoon all

by now I have worked out that the 480 is supposed to have central locking, and now I want to go about fixing the Central Locking

When I unlock the driver's door, the red tab comes out just fine, but the passenger door's does not. both locks work fine, but the central locking feature is clearly broken. I am sure I am not alone in getting annoyed when opening the passenger door sets off the alarm because the driver's door is locked, same with the boot. I do assume this is not supposed to happen!

I have looked into this on the forum and come across 89of480 mentioning that they used contact cleaner on some components, and that they now have working CL:
89of480 wrote:
Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:24 pm
I removed the door card and unplugged each connector inside the door and sprayed each one in contact cleaner, and then attempted to spray contact cleaner and silicone spray a the locking parts, and so far, so good! I have working central locking again! I just hope this repair will last through!
this seems to be one fix, but that is on a '95 celeb, mine is an '88 ES, are there differences with the years? are there any other fixes? would this fix work on my car?

Have I even got the same problem, if so, what can I try?
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Central Locking fix

Post by jamescarruthers » Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:46 pm

Don't kn‎ow too much about this but the central locking is activated by a switch on the driver's side lock activating an actuator on the passenger side lock. So the idea of cleaning contacts up sounds pretty sensible as a start.  

Also, the central locking system is controlled by the driver's side only-- don't waste valuable time trying to work out why the passenger side will not unlock the driver's side! 

Another possibility is that ‎someone has changed one of your locks for one from the wrong side and the switch or actuator is missing. 

As far as I know the system was the same throughout production. I certainly can't think of any changes at all. ‎
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: Central Locking fix

Post by MisterH » Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:38 pm

jamescarruthers wrote:
Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:46 pm
Don't kn‎ow too much about this but the central locking is activated by a switch on the driver's side lock activating an actuator on the passenger side lock. So the idea of cleaning contacts up sounds pretty sensible as a start.  

Also, the central locking system is controlled by the driver's side only-- don't waste valuable time trying to work out why the passenger side will not unlock the driver's side! 

Another possibility is that ‎someone has changed one of your locks for one from the wrong side and the switch or actuator is missing. 

As far as I know the system was the same throughout production. I certainly can't think of any changes at all. ‎
That would make sense, as for the alarm to sound, the driver's side would have to be locked, with, say the passenger door unlocked and opened.
it would seem that the alarm system is designed for a working Central locking system, and as such it is tripped by one side opening while the other is still locked, as it must be designed on the assumption that both locks open at the same time, which is why the driver's must be unlocked first, then all the others.

phew, I hope that is clear, it might seem a bit convoluted as I was writing down my thought processes as I thought :)
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

User avatar
WalkableBuffalo
480 Newbie
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:04 pm

Re: Central Locking fix

Post by WalkableBuffalo » Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:04 am

Glad to have found this thread to see how the central locking works.
Was sure I had central locking when I parked up a while ago.
But after messing with getting my drivers mirror to work the other day I had to move my car out to let my dad swap his wheels over.
The door wiring loom was left disconnected.
Parked the car up and locked each door, came back and tried to start it, was greeted by the horn blaring at my for 20 seconds.
Did it again before I took the fuse out and realised it was probably because of the lock.

I don't think anyone on my street was too happy and I'm sure they all know who it was...
Good to know how it works now 😅
-Will
1991 480 ES, 1.7, Arctic Blue
Current status: No MOT, 99% ready I swear

User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:15 pm
Location: Stockbridge

Re: Central Locking fix

Post by MisterH » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:27 pm

WalkableBuffalo wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:04 am
Glad to have found this thread to see how the central locking works.
Was sure I had central locking when I parked up a while ago.
But after messing with getting my drivers mirror to work the other day I had to move my car out to let my dad swap his wheels over.
The door wiring loom was left disconnected.
Parked the car up and locked each door, came back and tried to start it, was greeted by the horn blaring at my for 20 seconds.
Did it again before I took the fuse out and realised it was probably because of the lock.

I don't think anyone on my street was too happy and I'm sure they all know who it was...
Good to know how it works now 😅
Glad its helped someone out, I still haven't got round to doing it!
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Post Reply