Anyone on here an expert on the R129 Locking Syetem ??

[wrightkarl]

I've got an old problem back and I'm lost as to know where to go next....help !

 

[LostKiwi]

Whats the problem?

 

[wrightkarl]

Whats the problem?

The locking is temprimental to say at best on the key fob. Fine with key in barrel(s) but not on IR. And yes the batteries are all new, sometimes it works and flashed red/green on all three, then others only on doors and again today just doesn't work at all. leave it a couple of hous and it works again on doors (not boot) and when I drove it back to garage for putting away.... doesn't work at all.
Its been like this for over a year now, I thought the knocked off connector in rear wheel arch when replacing battery sorted it ( see my previous thread, it'll help that comment) but its back to its old ways....

I love this car but these little issues really ruin the fun on an everyday basis...

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Sounds as if the keys IR is working okay, but you could check that in case it is intermittent. Use a camera to take a picture of the IR a couple of times, presses.

I think that there is an amplifier that can go wrong too, but not sure where it is located. Over head, reading lamp unit at a guess.


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[brianbrian]

Even if the fuse seems O.K. Change it,pull the relay out, clean it,

 

[LostKiwi]

If you have the old 'ceramic' style fuses (the round plastic bullets with a fuse stretched over the ends) replace the fuse with a brass one (they are usually aluminium). You can get brass ones from boat chandlerys usually.

From memory the IRCL controller is in the boot above and to the left of the central locking pump. Remove the connector and give it a good dousing in contact cleaner (do not use WD40).

 

[wrightkarl]

Even if the fuse seems O.K. Change it,pull the relay out, clean it,

Do you know where that relay is located ? Fuses are all new but this problem preceeds me changing them anyway.

 

[wrightkarl]

If you have the old 'ceramic' style fuses (the round plastic bullets with a fuse stretched over the ends) replace the fuse with a brass one (they are usually aluminium). You can get brass ones from boat chandlerys usually.

From memory the IRCL controller is in the boot above and to the left of the central locking pump. Remove the connector and give it a good dousing in contact cleaner (do not use WD40).

Good suggestion thanks, I'll give it a go, being intermittant its got to be something simple......right ? lol

 

[wrightkarl]

Whats always confused me (not difficult maybe) is when it works, it works on the doors but very rarely the boot !! No flashing lights nothing. As suggested I think I need to check and clean lots of connections and potetial failure points, its knowing where they all are !! Hurumph...

 

[LostKiwi]

The boot and doors both operate from the same part of the pump. Check for leaks or a stuck actuator.

 

[LostKiwi]

Just add. There are 3 vacuum circuits on the pump. From memory...
ZV opens the doors, and boot.
IZV operates the door pockets, centre consoles and glove boxes.
The other operates the fuel flap (this is from memory -- ZV I'm sure of just not the last one).
There's also a vacuum manifold in the module coffin under the bonnet (left side near the ECU box). This has a bad habit of cracking and causing leaks. Simply lift it out and inspect the ends where a ball bearing seals the hole. If it's cracked fill the crack with epoxy.

 

[wrightkarl]

Just add. There are 3 vacuum circuits on the pump. From memory...
ZV opens the doors, and boot.
IZV operates the door pockets, centre consoles and glove boxes.
The other operates the fuel flap (this is from memory -- ZV I'm sure of just not the last one).
There's also a vacuum manifold in the module coffin under the bonnet (left side near the ECU box). This has a bad habit of cracking and causing leaks. Simply lift it out and inspect the ends where a ball bearing seals the hole. If it's cracked fill the crack with epoxy.

Thats very helpful so thanks. Its still doesn't help to explain why the system simply won't work at all, I mean no flashing lights, no vacuum, nothing, dead. Yet when it works its very effficient apart from the boot which won't flash at all, the boot unlocks ok but point the key and nothing, go to door and alls well. Thats when it works though, when it doesn't it just doesn't.
However all the suggestions are worhty of attention as each one may also help the overall efficiency when i finally find the gremlin within !! lol

 

[LostKiwi]

If pointing the remote at the boot (or any receiver) does nothing it suggests a problem with that IR receiver, wiring or IRCL controller.

 

[wrightkarl]

If pointing the remote at the boot (or any receiver) does nothing it suggests a problem with that IR receiver, wiring or IRCL controller.

My thoughts too, so thanks . Do you know where the receiver lives ? I’ve heard differing ideas on this ? I’m assuming I’m looking for a small black dome or something similar which I’ve never seen, so I assumed it was in each door ?

 

[LostKiwi]

The IR receiver is between the Red and Green LEDs.

 

[wrightkarl]

The IR receiver is between the Red and Green LEDs.

Great thanks, I'd assumed that was the case, seems logical, I'd read that it was a single receiver in the overhead door lights panel. So it sounds like I've got a dodgy / a couple of dodgy electrical connections, so all points to the plug and socket that got disturbed when battery was refitted last time...It seems ok but I'll look deeper !

Thanks again !!