Drivers side door lock intermitent fault

[zundapp]

Guys,

Anyone had problems with their central locking?

A few weeks back I started to notice that occasionally, upon my return to the car that the drivers door was unlocked http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif

I assumed this was due to advanced aging (almost 44), and the effects of prolonged exposure to alcohol http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

However, after some testing with spare remote etc, I have discovered that approx 70% of the time the drivers door unlocked almost immediatley after having pressed the lock button.

Spoke with a service advisor at my local Volvo Dealer (Marshall's Cambridge). He advised me that they have started to see "door lock solenoid" problems on 2001> V70's. My car is now out of warranty as I have done 70,000 miles, so asked for cost. I was staggered to hear that the part is 120 pounds plus VAT, and that labour is 69 pounds plus VAT. (Thats $211 and $121.50 inc GST). http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Anyone else with similar problem?

David

[xcny]

Hey Zundapp,
I had the exact same problem on my 2001 XC, only with the passenger door. It happened around 10,000 miles so the warrantee covered it. The dealer told me they had to replace the whole lock mechanism. Before it was fixed, I had to lock the door manually, actually holding down the lock thingie because it would pop back up if I didn't. Very annoying.  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Sorry to hear that this happened to you when you are out of warrantee. You should complain to the dealer that this is a common problem and they should pick up the cost of repair, or at least part of it. You never know... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[1Lieutenant]

My 2002XC has the same problem with the driver's door.  Last time I brought it in the dealer had no idea of what the problem was.  Needless to say, they did not fix it.  I am returning next week for them to check it out again.  Thanks for the info on the solenoid.

Steve

[littlewaywelt]

I had the exact same problem, amongst others. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

My dealer ended up replacing the remotes the first time which solved the problem for 8 months and the 2nd time it came up they fixed something in the locking mechanism of the door.  Then the window stopped working.  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I think the first issue had a tsb and said something about the remotes shorting or the buttons causing the door to unlock as you walk away from the car and touch a button.

[Dave]

I'm experiencing problems with the locking / unlocking sequence also. I'm not sure if it's the remote or the locks, but something isn't right.

I notice the problem primarily when I'm unlocking. I hit the remote, hear "the noise" and nothing happens. I hit the remote again, and all of the doors, EXCEPT the drivers door, unlock. I hit the remote again, and everything locks. Or unlocks, again.

I then select lock, and start over. Great fun in the weather we've been having here lately....

It's on my list for the 15K service, scheduled for this Wednesday, March 5. I'll post the results...and the price...

[wardrk]

RE: Door lock for driver's door not willing to lock.....

Yes as posted earlier, I have had this apparently intermittent problem......

Noted for record with my dealer.... other owners have suggested this is a known problem / issue that is repaired under warranty.......

ward

[d6lad]

got a simular problem on my 2000 year p2 car if i lock the door with the remote the indicator lights flash and a horn starts sounding intermitantly i rang a friend at volvo derby he told me they had had problems with door solanoids in the past i checked my car and the ns/f door was not locking with the remote and when i drove down the road i could hear the locks trying to move i am going to remove the door panel at weekend as it has had a new window regulater in the past i will let you know what i find or have to replace

[Art]

I believe my rear driver side door lock is beginning to show signs of failure by refusing to lock on demand every now and again. :(

FYI, Volvo issued this Tech Net Note to assist in diagnosing customers’ complaints relating to door lock behaviour issues.


Antitheft/Keyless Entry - Door Lock Logic
NO: 83-25
DATE: 7-31-2002
MODEL: 2001- S60, V70, V70 XC, 1999- S80
CHASSIS: All
SUBJECT: Door Lock Logic
REFERENCE: VADIS

THIS TNN SUPERCEDES PREVIOUS TNN 83-25 DATED 1/28/2002

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR FILES

Update includes remedy if lock is incorrectly adjusted under the heading "Mechanical/Electrical Activation"
DESCRIPTION:
In an electrical system with distributed functionality, such as the ones found in the vehicles above, it can sometimes be difficult to find faults related to central locking. Replacement of the CEM or PDM/DDM does most often not solve strange central locking behavior issues.

This TNN is intended to assist in general door lock fault tracing and to provide an understanding of how the door lock logic is intended to function in order to avoid misdiagnosis. Design and function information for central locking will be in Vadis A 2002. Guided fault tracing can also be found by using symptom entry in Vadis. Some additional information is located in design & function for the CEM in Vadis F 2001.

The following is generally applicable to the US version of locks, referred to as the two-step unlocking system. Note that customers may have one step unlocking which has different characteristics. Among them is the function that all locks unlock at once, but also that the doors cannot be locked with the door switch if the door is open.

Locks, as mentioned below, refer to both the driver side and passenger side doors, not the trunk or fuel lid.

SIGNAL FLOW:

Generally speaking, the signal flow in the vehicle depends on which way the doors are locked or unlocked:

Via remote: The lock or unlock signal goes from remote fob to the UEM that processes the input and sends a CAN message to the GEM, containing information about what button has been pressed. The GEM then sends out a lock or unlock command based upon which button was pressed. The lock/unlock command is carried out by the DDM/PDM/REM respectively.
*Note : The lock or unlock command is not dependant upon the status of the door locks.

Via mechanical key: If the key is turned clockwise, the DDM detects this as a request for lock and sends this signal to the GEM. The GEM then sends out a lock command, which is carried out by the DDM/PDM/REM respectively. If the key is turned counter-clockwise the same signal flow is valid but instead the command will be an unlock command. Note that, for the driver door, the lock will operate by the mechanical linkage and is independent of the signal flow.
*Note : The lock or unlock command is not dependant upon the status of the door locks.

Via DDM or PDM (with two step unlocking): If the door switch is pressed, a signal is sent from DDM/PDM to the GEM with information that the door switch was pressed. The GEM reaction will depend on the current lock status. If any door is open the result will be a lock command. If all doors are locked it will result in an unlock command, which is carried out by the DDM/PDM/REM respectively.
*Note : This function will not operate as described above if the key is in the ignition. This is to prevent the accidental locking of keys in the vehicle.

MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ACTIVATION:

The lock system is a combination of mechanical and electrical activation. In order to operate the door locks in the correct way, the GEM needs to know the status of the locks so that it can decide whether to lock or unlock when the switch in the driver or passenger door is pushed.

The wire carrying the status of the door lock (locked or unlocked) is shown in the wiring diagram as "DL" and is connected to the DDM for the driver door, PDM for the passenger door and the GEM for the rear doors.

As a consequence, the lock motor will always follow a mechanically changed status so that it has the correct position for a subsequent command.

This can be seen by slowly moving a doorknob from unlocked to locked. In the middle of the sequence the doorknob will be pulled down by the motor. If the knob is pushed down quickly, the door will lock and shortly thereafter the motor can be heard acknowledging the new status.

When a doorknob is pulled up, the status of this signal changes to "unlocked" and the motor follows to this new position. When the knob is pushed down the status changes to "locked" and the motor follows to this new position.
Cases have been reported with self-unlocking vehicles and other similar symptoms; e.g. not all doors lock when locking the vehicle. This can be explained by a door lock switch giving the wrong status, e.g. a locked door with knob down may get a "DL" signal stating "unlocked". The motor will then follow the status and actually unlock the vehicle.
In cases like this, the correct remedy is to replace the lock.

Self-locking can occur in combination with code OO1A if the lock mechanism is wrongly adjusted. Remedy for this fault is to verify and adjust the mechanism.

VEHICLE COMMUNICATION:

Visual feedback on the lock behavior can be viewed either through VADIS or by breakout box. In VADIS, through vehicle communication, the following signals can be monitored:

-status of the key position

-status of the driver's door (open or closed)

-status of the passenger door (open or closed)

-status of the left rear door (open or closed)

-status of the right rear door (open or closed)

-status of the tailgate (open or closed)

-status of the lock switch for the left rear door

-status of the lock switch for the right rear door
*Note : The open/closed door status read from the GEM is interesting to view as an overall functionality check of the lock. However, functionality wise it is mostly affecting a one-step unlocking system.

*Note : The key position has a significant impact on remote fob and mechanical key operation. If the ignition switch is faulty, giving the faulty status that key is still in ignition, the DDM and PDM will operate the central locking but the remote or mechanical key will not.

[Vwvolvo]

Hey Art, good post. P.S. where do you get this info. You amaze me everytime someone needs some info.

P.S. how<s the weather in your neck of the woods. here in Montreal, winter is weird. Last friday was +12C, sunday was -18C and today it rained all day and +6C.

Thanks

Luc
Montreal, Canada

[squarecube]

Hello volvo XC folks,

I'm new to this list. Several years ago I belonged to a similar list that Swedishbricks ran for the 850s. I found the list very useful. I learned how to repair a retracting antenna, how to remove my radio to plug in cords, and all kinds of neat stuff the dealers charged for. However, suddenly and without much warning, Swedishbricks stopped the 850 list -- they only wanted to concentrate on the older 240s and other volvo antiques. Grrrr. I thought it was kinda snotty of them, no? Anyway, we sold the 850 and bought an XC70 2002 from volvo with an extended warranty.

This key problem,(drivers side not responding to remote), just showed up on our car. Forgetting that I can use the key, I walked around to the passengers side and leaned through to open the lock. Anyway, I searched the web and found this site for the XCs Does volvo fix this under warranty? I'm making an appointment, however I fully expect them to say they don't cover it.

Also, my passenger door latch (interior) quit working this week. I can enter the car from the outside, however I can't exit the car from the inside. Can I open the door panel fairly easily on an X70 to get a look-see? Are there instructions for this on site anywhere?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestion.

Peter

[d6lad]

had a look at my door lock( ns/f) all seems ok so spoke to my guy at volvo he says even if i replace the module it needs a software download(bit on the electric window switch) he says volvo send the software to the uk via phone line and volvo sweden charge for everyone from 10 pence to 30 pounds i have booked mine in on 28th of this month so he says i can run through it with him is it not a monopoly if you have to pay evertime something goes wrong i cannot even fix a simple problem like my remote locking not working i am going to work for a manufacturer as i wont have any work to do in a couple of years if every car is the same, on the v50s battery voltage has to be over 10.5 volts while coding otherwise it damages main computer

[d6lad]

hi everyone just an update on my door lock situation i went to dealer and the computer said os/f door uem got it replaced £165 plus vat for uem and £20 odd pounds for software dealer replaced it and it worked drove 1 mile down road to pick up my kids and you guessed it locked car with remote and the horn started sounding and hazard lights flashing rang back and they said it was all the after market stuff i had fitted ( front park sensors, laser defuser, roof mount dvd and volvo subwoofer) disconnected them and the battery to charge it left it over night and it was no different, i then removed the os/f door panal and disconnected the uem left it 10 minutes reconnected it and hey prest all worked again soon stopped working though so need to get back to dealer when i have time other wise could just leave door panal off and diconnect evey time although this may make me lose a bit of comfort and rmake it rattle abit,i now find this fault quite amusing luckily its not that much of a bind to use the key and the kids find it amusing when i tell my other half iv fixed it and watch her get embarrased when she cant turn off the horn and hazards for a couple of minutes, she just walks off now and refuses to lock it with the remote,anyway im waffling now so ill let you know what i find when i check it again i reacon perhaps a loose connection in the door but ill let youknow cheers dave glad

[d6lad]

hi everyone im really happy i have just sorted my locking problem i tested the remote control and everytime i pressed a button the remote was transmitting a boot open signal as well as a lock signal i took remote to bits and replaced the rubber membrane and it works fine im now really happy

[d6lad]

sorry forgot to say thanks art for the info it really helped cheers mate

[peterjam]

I think I have a fix for many of the fuel/door/cargo lock problems (XC70, 2001). I experienced them one-by-one, with doors sometimes remaining locked, and sometimes unlocked. I had the situation with my car left unintentionally unlocked on parking lots, and also being unable to fuel the car - because of the locked fuel door.

After several visits at my local Volvo service, and new lock/unlock problems permanently appearing, I decided to handle it myself. I fixed the problem, and since then the problem of locked/unlocked doors does not exist.

The source of the problem are lock/unlock relais that Volvo use. In more detail, those relais -after some time-, and long before they stop to work, increase their resistance in the closed position. Instead of amost 0 Ohm, they have 6-9 Ohm, and sometimes 0 Ohm again. This 6-9 Ohm is not much, and probably in other applications, this higher resistance would not make any difference, but in the way Vovo uses them (relatively high currents) it leads to a drop of the voltage on the lock/unlock motors, and to sporadic failure to lock/unlock. I underline the word "sporadic", as with such small increase on resistance, locking sometimes work and sometimes not. It simply gets unreliable. Of course the "good" relais (i.e. the ones that happen not to make problems) have their ON resistance almost exactly 0 Ohm. But from my experiance it is only the matter of time, when they "explode".

It seems to me that the manufacturer of the Volvo relais tried to cut the costs by making the golden contact layer of the relais much thinner then it shoud be. On the top of that Volvo relais are not hermetically closed, they wear much faster, accelerating the wear process. This is no excuse for Volvo, as such relais should work for more then 10 years. But at least it explains why it happens.

To fix the issue, I removed the existing Volvo lock/unlock relais and exchanged them with hermetic ones with thicker gold contact layer. I used sealed SDS DS2E hermetic relais from Digikey. Since they have a different footprint then original Volvo relais, I had to "extract" existing Volvo relais from their housing, and "implant" the DS2E inside.

I did it 6 months ago, and left only one set of original Volvo relais unchanged (seemd to be good at that time). Guess what?: After 4 next months the door controlled by this very (i.e. unchanged) pair started to lock/unlock unrelaibly. A check confirmed 6-9 Ohms on those relais. It seemsed obvious to me to exchange them. Since then I have no problems with this otherwise great car.

Hope it helped.

[edwa]

I have recently discovered my 2004 having the same problem with the drivers door lock. It happens intermittently, however, if you open the door without pushing the unlock button on your remote the alarm will sound. Not much of an alarm though.