14 replies to this topic

[Linzi]

Posted yesterday re. being unable to release the locks on '06 Exige S.  Neither key fob nor manual opening works. Several suggestions that car battery flat.  Seemed likely, it's been on charge well over two hours now and nothing! Exactly the same as yesterday.
Any ideas of what to try now?????

[Daniel]

Have you got a voltmeter you can attach to the posts up front and see what the battery is reading?  Maybe it's just super flat?

[jez o]

I don't think you can unlock/lock the car using the key manually can you? I thought the key only turns the door barrel to enable/disable the use of the barrel actually opening the doors when they are unlocked.
Try searching on here and on pistonheads/seloc-I'm sure I've read similar things about failed remote locking issues (sorry!).

Edited by jez o, 28 September 2008 - 01:36 PM.

[richbk]

Linzi, on Sep 28 2008, 02:10 PM, said:

Posted yesterday re. being unable to release the locks on '06 Exige S.  Neither key fob nor manual opening works. Several suggestions that car battery flat.  Seemed likely, it's been on charge well over two hours now and nothing! Exactly the same as yesterday.
Any ideas of what to try now?????

hi

very common fault is failure of central locking unit , positioned under dashboard, near cobra alarm unit.

means roof off, dash off, stack out. unplug £36 part(available from lotus) , replace with new..put it all back together. 4 hours work approx.

happened to mine 2 months ago. the button rises 1/4" and "something" mechanical seems to be happening, but thats it.

can you still lock door using key, i.e locks not jammed or anything is it??

hth

richbk

[Linzi]

richbk, on Sep 28 2008, 02:35 PM, said:

hivery common fault is failure of central locking unit , positioned under dashboard, near cobra alarm unit.means roof off, dash off, stack out. unplug £36 part(available from lotus) , replace with new..put it all back together. 4 hours work approx.happened to mine 2 months ago. the button rises 1/4" and "something" mechanical seems to be happening, but thats it.can you still lock door using key, i.e locks not jammed or anything is it??hthrichbk

Thanks Rich,It sounds exactly the same as your trouble.  Who did the work for you? In answer to your question yes, can lock the door using the key but not unlock.  Had a buddy pick the lock so we're in the car but now trying to work out where to take it and what to tell them to do? Do you think it's the alarm system? I feel it isn't, you can see the lock trying to release through the window, it sounds more mechanical-something in the door. 'clicking' I'm going to see an auto-elec.  engineer in the morning, now I'm through the locks and it's drivable at least I'm moving! If he can't spot anything obvious then it's onto your plan and strip out dash etc. to replace that £36 part. Thanks for your help, if you think of anything else I'm all ears.RegardsLinzi

[chris_h]

I've had this happen to my passenger side twice now (but drivers said has been fine)  i just locked and unlocked about 10 times and it started working again.  

Wondering about replacing the part as a bit of preventative maintenance as i don't want to get fully locked out one day.

Chris

[richbk]

hi sorry not read post recently

with mine i could unlock and lock door, just on barrel of lock, with key. and press in, so bit confused how it lets you lock it but not unlock??

there is the chance that the fitting inside your door has come loose only, but it is proberbly the control unit.
the unit is sepearate from alarm, just positined near it under dash.

search. purelotus in wetherby as they diagnosed mine over phone and were spot on.
boss is  jay, top chap and mechanic is danny, jct600 lotius trained. i bought my car from them, say richard with purple exige recommended them, they should look after you

they can do it for you, but would be prepared to have a go yourself if you are reasonalby confident with cars, nothing technical, just time consuming.

drop me a pm with your mobile if you want to chat it through

richbk

Edited by richbk, 30 September 2008 - 01:52 PM.

[Linzi]

richbk, on Sep 30 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

hi sorry not read post recentlywith mine i could unlock and lock door, just on barrel of lock, with key. and press in, so bit confused how it lets you lock it but not unlock??there is the chance that the fitting inside your door has come loose only, but it is proberbly the control unit.the unit is sepearate from alarm, just positined near it under dash.search. purelotus in wetherby as they diagnosed mine over phone and were spot on.boss is jay, top chap and mechanic is danny, jct600 lotius trained. i bought my car from them, say richard with purple exige recommended them, they should look after youthey can do it for you, but would be prepared to have a go yourself if you are reasonalby confident with cars, nothing technical, just time consuming.drop me a pm with your mobile if you want to chat it throughrichbk

richbk, on Sep 30 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

hi sorry not read post recentlywith mine i could unlock and lock door, just on barrel of lock, with key. and press in, so bit confused how it lets you lock it but not unlock??there is the chance that the fitting inside your door has come loose only, but it is proberbly the control unit.the unit is sepearate from alarm, just positined near it under dash.search. purelotus in wetherby as they diagnosed mine over phone and were spot on.boss is jay, top chap and mechanic is danny, jct600 lotius trained. i bought my car from them, say richard with purple exige recommended them, they should look after youthey can do it for you, but would be prepared to have a go yourself if you are reasonalby confident with cars, nothing technical, just time consuming.drop me a pm with your mobile if you want to chat it throughrichbk

Thanks Rich,I'll give Jay in Wetherby a try, he's only up the road. Took the car into Hull's premier auto-elec engineers today and they've had a quick butchers (1 hours labour...tick, tock) It was pi**ing down too and every time I go out of the car I had to leave the window open enough to get my hand in, in case it jammed up again, so not a happy day of Lotus motoring! I left it with them and got them to drive me home- I was so fed up! But, If I can give the guys there any steer on what to do I'm sure it'll save me money so that's my aim! I'll report in when I have a happy outcome! I feel a major step forward though from being completely locked out of it-so we have some progress.Thanks again, fingers crossed.

[Harold Gleave]

richbk, on Sep 30 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

hi sorry not read post recentlywith mine i could unlock and lock door, just on barrel of lock, with key. and press in, so bit confused how it lets you lock it but not unlock??there is the chance that the fitting inside your door has come loose only, but it is proberbly the control unit.the unit is sepearate from alarm, just positined near it under dash.search. purelotus in wetherby as they diagnosed mine over phone and were spot on.boss is jay, top chap and mechanic is danny, jct600 lotius trained. i bought my car from them, say richard with purple exige recommended them, they should look after youthey can do it for you, but would be prepared to have a go yourself if you are reasonalby confident with cars, nothing technical, just time consuming.drop me a pm with your mobile if you want to chat it throughrichbk

Hi Richard, As I live just down the road from Endon, ie Cheddleton I was much interested in your information on door locking problems.  I have the same problem you experienced and would very much like to speak with you.If this is OK with you please contact me on 01538 360395 and I will then either ring you back or pop over from Cheddleton to see you.Many regards  Harold gleave.

[Linzi]

richbk, on Sep 30 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

hi sorry not read post recentlywith mine i could unlock and lock door, just on barrel of lock, with key. and press in, so bit confused how it lets you lock it but not unlock??there is the chance that the fitting inside your door has come loose only, but it is proberbly the control unit.the unit is sepearate from alarm, just positined near it under dash.search. purelotus in wetherby as they diagnosed mine over phone and were spot on.boss is jay, top chap and mechanic is danny, jct600 lotius trained. i bought my car from them, say richard with purple exige recommended them, they should look after youthey can do it for you, but would be prepared to have a go yourself if you are reasonalby confident with cars, nothing technical, just time consuming.drop me a pm with your mobile if you want to chat it throughrichbk

Yippee! It's sorted.It was the Central locking relay unit that had failed. Took up four hours labour cost, but part they replaced was so cheap (not genuine Lotus part, but the same manufacturers) they didn't even charge for it.Tip for future, they reckon that it's only an hours labour IF you know exactly where it is. so for all you with same problem, you can get access to the relay unit through the drivers side door speaker-bit fiddly cos you have too unscrew the unit but no need o take roof/dash off.Thanks for your help.

[richbk]

Linzi, on Oct 2 2008, 01:18 PM, said:

Yippee! It's sorted.It was the Central locking relay unit that had failed. Took up four hours labour cost, but part they replaced was so cheap (not genuine Lotus part, but the same manufacturers) they didn't even charge for it.Tip for future, they reckon that it's only an hours labour IF you know exactly where it is. so for all you with same problem, you can get access to the relay unit through the drivers side door speaker-bit fiddly cos you have too unscrew the unit but no need o take roof/dash off.Thanks for your help.

result. well pleased for you. any idea where they got relay from, code no. etc, as im sure it could be useful for others.

thx

richbk

Edited by richbk, 02 October 2008 - 01:45 PM.

[Harold Gleave]

Linzi, on Oct 2 2008, 01:18 PM, said:

Yippee! It's sorted.It was the Central locking relay unit that had failed. Took up four hours labour cost, but part they replaced was so cheap (not genuine Lotus part, but the same manufacturers) they didn't even charge for it.Tip for future, they reckon that it's only an hours labour IF you know exactly where it is. so for all you with same problem, you can get access to the relay unit through the drivers side door speaker-bit fiddly cos you have too unscrew the unit but no need o take roof/dash off.Thanks for your help.

[Harold Gleave]

Hi Linzi, Many thanks for the telephone call.  I have taken out the speaker and the speaker panel and moved the air vent to one side.  However there is still no way of getting anything anywhere near the relay in question.  There is a solid metal back behind the speaker, not even enough room to pass a knitting neadle through.
Should I take poison or shoot myself ?.

PS. I contacted Hull today and they will do the job for £90.
This would mean a very early start to the day plus a long wait and a long drive.
Should you have any other comments please let me know.

Many regards   Harold.

[richbk]

Harold Gleave, on Oct 3 2008, 08:22 PM, said:

Hi Linzi, Many thanks for the telephone call. I have taken out the speaker and the speaker panel and moved the air vent to one side. However there is still no way of getting anything anywhere near the relay in question. There is a solid metal back behind the speaker, not even enough room to pass a knitting neadle through.
Should I take poison or shoot myself ?.

PS. I contacted Hull today and they will do the job for £90.
This would mean a very early start to the day plus a long wait and a long drive.
Should you have any other comments please let me know.

Many regards Harold.

hi harold, still waiting for a price from longton, will give you a call on  moday evening, as i am due to visit him

richbk

[Linzi]

Harold Gleave, on Oct 3 2008, 08:22 PM, said:

Hi Linzi, Many thanks for the telephone call. I have taken out the speaker and the speaker panel and moved the air vent to one side. However there is still no way of getting anything anywhere near the relay in question. There is a solid metal back behind the speaker, not even enough room to pass a knitting neadle through.Should I take poison or shoot myself ?.PS. I contacted Hull today and they will do the job for £90.This would mean a very early start to the day plus a long wait and a long drive.Should you have any other comments please let me know.Many regards Harold.

HI Harold,Hope you've not been sat there waiting for me to log on-been a bit frantic here.  It looks like Rich is sorting you out.  But my suggestion would definately have been to try a local mobile phone/car security company and give them the info on what they need to do.Hope you're sorted.Linzi