W124 - Central Locking Failed

[Andy C]

Central locking not working - either with remote or key - not a major problem for me until I came to fill up ..........petrol cap cover still locked so I can't access it!

Any ideas or does anyone at least know a way to open the petrol cap cover as I can't use the car now until it's refuelled.

Thanks
AC

 

[Mikesmerc]

Have a look under the back seat Andy, you should see a large lump of black foam, it splits open to reveal the vacuum pump which controls central locking system. If this pump isnt buzzing when you operate the locking system you have found the source of the problem. You may be able to access the vac lock to the filler flap if you remove the plastic liner in the boot.
regards
Mike

 

[Silver Arrow]

Sorry this isn't more helpful, but I think that my last couple of Mercs have had instructions in the handbooks for things such as opening filler caps and closing roofs when the system has thrown its toys out of its pram. As I'm not at home, and not in the coupe, I can't go and look. Perhaps someone has a handbook locally?

 

[DITTRICH]

On my W124 estate, IIRC the manual states where to access the manual release for the fuel flap. I have an E300 TD W124 1994 estate. It may be the vaccum pump and/or the vacuum tubes. On my car, there is a slight leak and occasionally, the pump fires up for about 20 seconds. I'm getting mine checked out at the next service.
Les

 

[ArtistsRifles]

As a stop gap there should also be a manual release for the filler cap - on our estate it's behind the O/S trim panel in the boot where the first aid kit etc. is stored. I assume it will be in a similar position in the boot of a saloon???

 

[Richard Moakes]

Open the boot, remove the trim panel on the offside and you will see an emergency lever to open the fuel filler cap.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[Andy C]

Thanks everyone - I'll sort it when I get home tonight!

 

[Andy C]

Checked pump this morning - no noise when activated so I took it off and opened it up - seemed ok physically but when I put it back still nothing. Went to work in the car with a view to having a look later - since then there have been times when it has worked, times when it has not, times when the doors have locked/unlocked whilst driving along and on two occasions the doors have locked when i turned the ignition off - confused!

Any ideas?

 

[stephen.coker@virgin.net]

My 230TE did this for a while before packing up completly. A new pum cured it completely - cost about £100 from GSF

 

[anyweb]

my old 190d never had central locking for a long time, until i was removing the door trim from the drivers door to install a speaker, when i noticed a wire was rusted into two broken wires, i repaired it and central locking started to work, i was impressed.

i guess the door wires (usually at the bottom inside of the door where it meets the body of the car, usually behind a thick rubber prtective sheet) can break over time with water/age so even if its nothing to do with your problem, i thought i should mention it (just in case)

cheers
anyweb