About Rocky Racoon Expertise Most questions that relate to interior, and exterior equipment removal, and re-installation. Also, mechanical repairs of the engine, and the axles, and the brakes.
Experience 35 years auto repair experience. 3 years specifically Volkswagen. 10 years ago, graduated from general technical college. Deans list graduate. One of several hundred, out of several thousand to compete, and win recognition within Volkswagen for knowledge, and excellence.
Expert: Rocky Racoon Date: 10/27/2007 Subject: 2001 Cabrio door lock problem using the remote
Question Vehicle: 2001 Cabrio, 72k mi, good condition
In terms of the power door locks and security system, everything works
correctly EXCEPT ... just recently, a change: When I lock the vehicle using the
remote, the light on the driver's side door release immediately starts to blink
but the door locks do not drop for 20-25 seconds and the security system
also does not engage for the same delayed period. Once the door locks drop,
the vehicle is locked and alarmed and the usual chirp and light blink occur. I
have three different remotes and they all behave the same so I have ruled out
the remotes. When I lock the car using the key, the door locks drop
immediately and the security system engages immediately (like you would
expect and like it has always behaved when using the remote). I have a diag
device to read the onboard computer and there are no failure codes
displaying. It's basically usable but the delay is annoying because you are
never quite confident it will lock and alarm unless you stand there and wait
out the 20-25 second delay. In terms of unlocking the vehicle, the remote
works immediately like it always has. Any suggestions for where to look for
the problem?
Answer Hi Joe;
Even though it's a 2001, it's still an A3, so the locks are operated using a separate vacuum pump, and hard plastic lines. Check inside the drivers door hinge area. Remove that accordion thing over the wires. There's a vacuum coupling centrally located after you twist, and separate the lock on the harness connector, and separate the 2 parts. There is also, a little tiny "o"-ring that seals the vacuum passage. Replace it, and see if the wait is shorter. I highly recommend using a little Vaseline to aid in the insertion , and seal of the new o-ring. Good luck.
