A4 Central locking

[gre22]

Hi,

Hope you can help. My central locking suudenly stopped working (2000 X reg A4). When I press open on the key fob the alarm switches off and the indicators give 2 flashes as normal but none of the doors or boot open.

Located the CL pump on the right of the boot tucked up in foam cladding. Pump seems to operate (makes a noise like a small electric motor) for around 20seconds after trying to open the car. Removed the two air outlets from the pump and there is no air being pumped or sucked when the pump is on.

Does the pump unit contain the alarm, i,e, can I replace the pump without rendering my car a right off. Or does it require new keys etc which control the alarm.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Gary.

[stuart]

Hi,

Hope you can help. My central locking suudenly stopped working (2000 X reg A4). When I press open on the key fob the alarm switches off and the indicators give 2 flashes as normal but none of the doors or boot open.

Located the CL pump on the right of the boot tucked up in foam cladding. Pump seems to operate (makes a noise like a small electric motor) for around 20seconds after trying to open the car. Removed the two air outlets from the pump and there is no air being pumped or sucked when the pump is on.

Does the pump unit contain the alarm, i,e, can I replace the pump without rendering my car a right off. Or does it require new keys etc which control the alarm.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Gary.

Hi Gary

Thanks for joining the site.

From what you describe, it sounds as thought the pump is trying to work, but is failing. CL pumps on the VAG range are fairly common to fail.

As far as I am aware, it will just be a straight forward plug off.plug in replacement then connect the pipes. I would not expect this to cause any problems with the alarm system.

Replacement pumps are going to be in the region of about £150-200 unless you can find a second hand unit.

Hope this helps, but if you need more information, give me a shout.

Stuart

[gre22]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks very much for the info, much appreciated. First of all I must add that in this day of cost cutting (which of course means level of service). What a difference it makes to be able to cut through the Audi main dealer barrier and talk to someone who knows what they are on about.

Cheers again for the info, I'll let you know how I get on.

Gary.

[stuart]

No problem, here to assist. Hope you will visit again;)

You could try your local Euro Car Parts or German and Swedish for a pump, may be a little cheaper, but you may need the part number from the old pump.


Stuart

[gre22]

Hi Stuart,

Thought you might be interested in the latest saga with my central locking. Managed to find a second hand pump for just under £100, cheapest new one was £275. Plugged it in and pressed the open button on my key, zero response, not looking good. Opened the drivers door with the key and all the doors opened but they would not close, then the locks stopped responding all together and the alarm started going off, woke the neighbours up at least. On the phone to the supplier and apparently this unit needs "programmed" to the car, so Im no further forward, garage here we come with tail firmly between my legs. I'll let you know how I get on.

Gary.

[stuart]

Hi Gary

Thanks for keeping us updated.

That is a very good price for a new cl pump, I do know they range between £150 and £300 from VAG.

As The key is part of the imobiliser and alarm system, they do need coding to the unit. If this was not done any key would open any car (: not a good idea.

If I remember correctly this is not a major job to do, with the VAG diagnostic machine,and some cars, like my Seat Leon, I belive you can do via the key, door lock and ignition, by doing a certain procedure, which is shown in the handbook.

Keep us informed, may help someone else in the future.

Stuart

[dinga]

I have a 99 V reg A4, and ever since the xmas hols.. my central locking has exactly the same problem.....(great xmas present!!)...

Is this a job for a an amateur (like me).. or can I avoid the mark ups made by the main dealers :-)

Cheers for any help

Alan

[gre22]

Hi Alan,

I mangaged to get a 2nd hand pump from a breaker, it cost around £85. However it is not a straight swap as I thought. After telling the breaker the unit was duff I was informed the unit is part of the alarm and immobiliser and needs programmed to you car. I took it to an authorised VW garage and the guy programed it no problem, (via a laptop) you need to take your old pump so the settings can be copied over. Cost around £20. Audi quoted me around £350 for the job.

Hope this helps,

Gary.

[emlyn]

Hi Gents

I have the same problem and here is what I can tell you. If you get press the button and everything else seems to work except the doors opening chances are that your circuit board is fine. If you open the unit, you will find a circuit board immediately under the cover. You can simply take the board from your old unit and connect that to the new unit and there will be no need for programming.

What went wrong in my unit was the 'servo' according to a friend who is a VW technician. This the actual pump section of the unit.

Hope this helps.

[demonbarber]

Have you not tried cleaning the pump. I had a VW Passat with a pump for the Central locking, I took the pump apart cleaned up the vanes in the pump and it worked for 2 years or more before I wrote the car off!!

[Angie Bromley]

Hi all,

After having no central locking for 10 months on my 2001 Y-Reg Audi A3 I've finally got it fixed.

The central locking failed suddenly, with the key only working in the driver's door and all other doors having to be opened with the handle from the inside. The pump was making a noise as though trying to work, but after about 5 seconds gave up without opening the doors. Specialist Audi garage said it was probably a hole in one of the pipes, but we weren't sure and thought the pump was probably faulty (disconnecting the pipe from the pump, we could tell no air was coming through the pump at all).

Dealer price for new central locking pump was about £350. We tried to buy second hand one on ebay, through parts websites and breakers yards, and finally got hold of one from the local breakers. At £50 it was a bargain, with 30 days warranty to ensure it did work (the part number for anyone interested is 8DO 862 257 E, and we've been told the part number has to match exactly).

We checked to see if it would work straight away, just plugging in, but the alarm went off and key fob wouldn't work - it needed programming in. Audi dealer wanted to charge £100, but local garage specialising in VW & Audi fixed it today for £47. It needed programming so the key fob would work, but after 1/2 hour and £47 it's working perfectly.

Suggest anyone with same problem perserveres in hunt for a second hand unit and gets it fitted by a capable garage! Good luck.

Angie

[virginmel]

hi

i also have a major problem with my A4. the model is 1.9 tdi, YOM 12/03/97. the part number on the pump in the car now is 8LO 862 257 G. For some unknown reason, this particular part seems to be as hard to find as rocking horse poop!!

I've tried ebay, findapart and 1st choice all to no avail. Every A4 i've asked people to check has different numbers to mine. It would appear when trying to locate other parts it needed for a service by a local garage caused some problems too as it appears my model is right on the change over.

Can anybody tell me if any other pump would be compatible? My current pump has 3 plugs with 8, 12 and 16 wires and 2 pipes. I noticed one of the threads on here said they had been given an 8LO 862 257 G when their current pump had a part number of 8DO 862 257 E.

This is really getting me down now. I have a toddler and a new baby in a car seat and have to open the passenger door with the key, lean over to drivers door to open from inside and then lean into back to open rear doors. Locking is just as comical, especially when I've forgotton to unlock the rear passenger door on the drivers' side and have to start again!!

Please help!!:1zhelp:

Mel

[diode]

I hear you I have to do the same but the child locks are on the back doors so the rugrat goes through the window Wife in the boot and away in no time

Try this number

MOTORSINMOTION-

01909531537
BREAKERS


Or e bay has one for 11 quid

AUDI A3 A4 A6 A8 ETC CENTRAL LOCKING PUMP 8LO862257G (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180072718910&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=130038796048&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180072718910&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=130038796048&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

[virginmel]

Thanx for sympathising!!!

After speaking to several "experts" I decided to persevere and continue my search. As it turns out, the part number for mine actually inded in an "A", (good job I re-checked). After scouring ebay for what felt like weeks, I finally found a guy in Edinburgh who was breaking his 1996 1.9 tdi. I emailed the bloke, telling him my whole sob story, (he didn't seem that impressed!), he promised to check his pump and call me back. In the meantime, 3 others I'd emailed also called me back only for all 3 to tell me the wrong part number. I was getting ready to just throw the towel in and put up with my energetic opening of the car (hey, it all burns calories no?) when the guy from Edinburgh called. He left a message quoting those magic words 8LO 862 257 "A" and I swear I punched the air and grinned like a cheshire cat...probably not the best thing to do in a packed McDonalds on Saturday teatime!!:D

Long story short, we agreed a price of £25 plus postage, it arrived today, I plugged it all in and hurrah!!!! I have central locking!!!!:biglaugh:

Of course that means now I've got to find some other way to burn off those couple of extra chocolates!!!:(

[mastertech]

Yes the pump does contain the alarm.however suspect pump element has broken up, 20 secs is too long to run ,if you take the pipes off the pump and cover the pump outlets with your fingers and get someone to operate the locking the pump should run and cut out almost immediatly,if it keeps running the pump is U/S.The pump is made out of a graphite type material and it breaks up .also check for pipe leaks .the pipes can split especially at the tank flap or under the back seat corners at the Tpeices ---Gen pumps are very expensive!!!

[steve888]

Helllo an a relative newcomer to audi DIY

have and audi a4 1995 - where the central locking pump was working overtime after a repair for door damaGE about 5 years ago - didnt pay this mucgh attanion ie the unit wopuld still try and suck air even after the doors were opened or locked - didnt pay this much attantion at the time but now I wish I had gone back to the garage that did the repair ( an audi dealer !!)

Now the pump has given up largely- although does come on for a burst of activity every other month- drAWs down the air and doors do open and lock- but then gives up next time it comes to opening the car door

my questions are these - is my unit likely also to need reprogramming if I get one from the breakers yard?

if so any reommendations on where I could go in Brum to get it programed ( assuming I can find a until with the exact same serial number which apperas to be what I need to do)

Will look on ebay and breakers yards to try and get a unit - but any other suggestions welcome

many thanks for any help as rather desperate- car also has a bad water leak -which I am going to post on another board

these two issues preventing me selling the car which I desperately need to do

thanks

steve

[mr audi]

Hi, Bit of a long shot with cdl faults. under the drivers rear carpet there is some wiring, there are some brown wires i think, there should be a main conection {node} this can become corroded and broken. this has caught me out once. You can also check the wires from door to pump, make sure when taking the plug apart it goes back in the right way. To code the remotes back in you need 2 keys and can be done on the door and ignition.

[verderad]

I have a problem with the central locking / alarm A4 on 51 plate that has been getting worse for several weeks. First of all the key fob stopped opening the doors, The LED in the door would flash but no action on the CL. The key opened the doors but interior lihts flashed, starting the engine opened all of the doors. This problem only occured when the car was cold and had not been run????
Last weekend I noticed that every minute or so one of the locks would click as if opening (car already unlocked). Last night the car has decided that the alarm will go off but no siren just flashing lights with central locking going (car still starts so no immobiliser). Audi want £110+vat per hr to have a look any suggestions. I think the something has got wet hence the problem when car is cold is it possible that part of alarm / cl has got damp. Help

[mr audi]

Hi, Check to see if the convienience ecu is under the n/s/f floor,its in a black box. Try unpluging it and pluging it back in {make sureignition is off}

[Dean01966]

Hi,
New to the site and thinks its great, I was driving along last night and went to lower my drivers power window and it didn't work.
On closer inspection i noticed that the switches were no longer illuminating as well and that the interior lights did not also work i checked the fuses and could find none blown. I then went to lock the car on the remote to find in dispair that the central locking also no longer works, what could all this be. I drive a 1998 a4 2.4 avant.

[munster]

Hi all
This is my 1st post but hopefully it may be useful to some of you and save you some money.
My 98 1.8 A4's central locking packed up and with 2 kids it became a right pain. On pulling it apart I found the graphite disc inside had disintegrated, which you can't get individually.
Balking at the prices to replace the whole pump I looked on ebay and was shocked at how much they went for on there too.
I went out on a limb and bought an Audi 80 CLP
(part number 4A0 862 257 E) for £9 and with p+p it came to £15, I figured they'd be the same size etc and the motor would be the same.
On arrival it was about half the size I expected and thought I'd have to shell out for a new CLP.
But, and this is the best bit, I pulled it apart anyway and the motor is nigh on identical. The graphite bits, as per the link below are much thicker than the original ones!!! Designed to fail do you think?
I then followed the advice on this web page:
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec149.shtml
I'm assuming it is allowed to post it as it will be a help! Mods?

The only thing that I did different to what he did was to use the clear plastic pipe inside the audi 80 pump as the connector (pic 4) and to use my pumps insert into the vacuum unit?! ( I guess thats what it is) as it was a better fit.

I then refitted it and tried it. Initially it unlocked but armed the alarm so I knew I'd soldered the wires on back to front:Blush2:
I hastily changed the wires over and it was sorted, fantastic:D

I reckon I saved myself between £100 and £300. What do you reckon:beerchug:

[smint1]

Just some info incase other people are having similar problems...

The central locking on my 2001 A4 (mkII shape, elec locks, no pump) has a mind of it's own in cold mornings, the key fob doesnt work and once you open the door with the key it goes nuts and starts locking and unlocking all doors rapidly. It carries on until the car warms up and starts to settle down and eventually works ok.

I've had it in bits and narrowed it down to one chip in the control unit, if I warm this chip up with my thumb it works ok.

New unit is £215 if I fit it and then audi want £45 to reprogramme it to match my keys. Hopefully will be able to find a used one.

[madfella65]

smint1 - where is this control unit for c/l mine has those same intermittent problems!!! i'vebeen told its a faulty door lock?

[smint1]

The control unit is under the carpet by the passengers feet. You have to remove the seat and any trim round the door frame that covers the carpet and then peel back the carpet. To see if a door lock was causing my problem I disconnected them one by one.

[verderad]

I have had someone look at my A4 locking problem (see earlier post). The problem is indeed caused by the convience ecu located under the passenger seat. Problem caused by blocked pollen filter, which then allows water to enter, position of ECU is not great and its got damp. Cold weather has made the problem worse. I have been advised by friendly auto electricial that I may beable to remove it, dry out with a hair drier. He has had some sucess in the past replacing corroded connections. Will remove tomorrow and post back results.

[AUDI_TROUBLE]

Hi, new user, what anexcellent forum!

Got same problem with Convenience ecu system I believe after coming back from a vag dealer. I have got a new ecu, but how do I access it under the carpet, any instructions would be much helpful (vehicle type_ A4 2001 Quattro). Plus does it need resetting after I replace it? can this be done at home or by a VAG dealer. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to helping any one else with problems which I come across.


Tom

[ikaros]

Hello all,

This morning my central locking stopped wrking all together in my 99 a4 1.8TQ. When I pressed the lock button, I could hear a 5-10 sec humming noise coming from the trunk that was clearly the pump trying to work but failing. After reading through some of the information on various threads at this site, I decided that the pump needed to be replaced, contacted a foreign second hand parts supplier who sold me a used pump for 75USD.

I pulled back the carpet inside the trunk in right rear area, (around the right rear tail light and fuel cap) by removing a few of those plastic screws that hold the carpeting in place. I located where the humming was coming from and pulled out the old pump (removed 3 electronic cables and 2 pump connections easily) and replaced the old pump with the new (used) one. Power lock function was instantly restored although tucking in new unit and replacing carpeting was a bit tricky (remember positioning of the unit before you pull it out).

A few things to note: Once the central locking pump is removed from the vehicle, the car will not start... so don't remove the pump until you have another one ready to go.

BE GENTLE with the pump connections and the electronic connections on the pump. they have plastic connectors and if you break those you've got a whole new set of problems.

The locking mechanism for the fuel cap is in that general area under teh carpet so in case your locks fail and you don't have a replacement pump you can pull that thing out so as to allow yourself to fuel the vehicle (this is also described in the audi owners manual)

Once removed, the key/remote programming resets, so the only way to test if the new pump is working is by using the key manually or the button inside the driver side door.

You can easily re-program the auto key by using a 5 step method I found by googling that problem. You need 2 keys to re-program though.

:beerchug: I am so thrilled - dealer wanted 400 for the part and another couple of hundred for labor - HA! I spent $75 plus 1 hour including drive to the foreign used auto parts store... Suck on that dealer.

[Truebluerover]

Hello. I've only just joined this forum so please be gentle. I have read this thread with interest as my central locking has just failed. My alarm is arming ok but the door locks do not activate using the key fob. I have taken apart the central locking pump and found the rotor inside to be smashed into little pieces. Now I could shop round for another pump unit and pay to get the thing recoded (assuming I struggle to find the matching part number) but I believe I can take out the actual motor from the pump housing and replace with a similar one which means that by using my own housing and circuitboard a recode won't be needed. Now my pump housing has 2 air connectors but most of the audi pumps I have seen on ebay have only the one. Is it likely that the motor inside is the same as mine?
Thanks for any help you can give me.

[ikaros]

hello. I would recommend you get a used central locking pump, install it, and be done with it. I wouldn't try to repair the pump that is currently failing. A used pump costed me $75USD. Once you've done that, there is a 5 step method to reprogram your auto key. I did a quick google search and did it easily. It requires you to have 2 keys. best of luck to you.

[ini]

On a B5 chassis A4 there are 3 types of vacuum/pressure central locking pumps.

The single outlet 4AO type found on earlier cars, and many S4 type saloons.

The 8LO twin outlet type from 97 onwards.

The last 8DO twin outlet type upto 2001.

The B6 cars have a fully electronic 'central locking' system with an ECU in the footwell.

From 97 onwards, most of the standard pumps incorporated the RF central locking receiver.

If you are buying a replacement pump, due to a shattered impeller (pump operates for 20secs or more & no vacuum/pressure), you can replace your existing part with any with a similar part number.

It does not matter if the part number suffix (last letter) is different, they will still work.

On the 8LO pumps, the 'A' suffix has no RF locking interface, so if you have remote locking do not use this pump, or if you have this pump, upgrade to a higher suffix to 'add' remote central locking.

If you fit a 'working' replacement pump and the alarm and/or central locking does not function correctly, the central locking/central convenience 'soft code' number has been altered by fitting the new pump.

Vagcom etc or garage equipment must be used to alter the decimal number in the cars central locking module (this converts to a simple binary on/off list of the cars locking features)

The number depends on your radio type & desired alarm & locking features.

More info for a B5 chassis can be found here:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html (http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html)

If for example you have an 8LO 862 257 G pump, you can use any of the following pumps:

8LO 862 257 B/C/D/E/G/H/M/N etc etc

The 8DO pumps have different signals to the 8LO type, and the two are not interchangeable.

[Truebluerover]

Thanks very much for the replies.
The reason I was trying to avoid having to recode another pump is that I only have the one key. I don't have any equipment to do it myself so a visit to my nearest specialist is probably my option.
My pump has the stamp 8LO 862 257 on the white pump cover but I cannot see a suffix. It's not like it's difficult to see or rubbed off, there just isn't one. Am I looking in the wrong place?
Thanks again for the help.

[ini]

A cheap ebay pump from an Audi 80 or 100 etc will yield a replacement part (many VAG pumps use the same motor/pump assembly)

The softcoding will generally only change if a pump from a different car type is used.

When i used an 8L0 'G' suffix pump from an A3 on my 97 A4, it reset the 'Central locking' code number to '13130', which is the base code for a 98-00 A3 with remote central locking & alarm (the car the pump was from)

Basecodes for A3 & A4

A4 B5
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html#35
(scroll down to Module 35)

A4 B6
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB6.html#46

A3 pre-97
http://www.robvanguard.co.uk/a3/CODING97.pdf

A3 1998-2000
http://www.robvanguard.co.uk/a3/CODING98.pdf

A3 2000+
http://www.robvanguard.co.uk/a3/CODING00.pdf

[AutoTechnik]

Thanks very much for the replies.
The reason I was trying to avoid having to recode another pump is that I only have the one key. I don't have any equipment to do it myself so a visit to my nearest specialist is probably my option.
My pump has the stamp 8LO 862 257 on the white pump cover but I cannot see a suffix. It's not like it's difficult to see or rubbed off, there just isn't one. Am I looking in the wrong place?
Thanks again for the help.


Hi,

No your not looking in the wrong place. This particular pump is fitted on the earlier year. You can get around the coding by switiching over the control board from your old unit. This will solve your problem.

Thanks,

AutoTechnik

[Truebluerover]

Ok, I took a gamble and got hold of a cheap pump unit off an Audi Coupe 3 (early spec)88-91 for £30 from Ebay. I opened it up and found the actual motor to be very similar to my 97 A4 unit. With a couple of modifications I transplanted it into my own pump housing and soldered it to my own control circuit board and it works like a dream. No recoding needed. I took me an hour maximum and saved a fortune. Audi quoted me £257 for a new unit alone. I'm well pleased and would like to thank AutoTechnik, ini and all others who contributed to this thread. :beerchug:

[kersey999]

I joined the forum after reading some info on the central locking problems last week.

I just bought an A4 avant (1999-V) for a good price, knowing that the central locking was not working - thought it was still worth it.

After reading similar accounts of the same problem on this forum, I went onto Ebay and found a Second Hand pump for around £140. In his ad, the seller said he could also repair your pump while you wait, negating the need for having keys recoded. I'm in Woking and the other guy is in Reading, so not a big trip for me. Contacted him thru Ebay and he said he could fix the pump, without re-coding for £140 all-in.

Drove over and it took him 20 mins to fix. He takes out the motor/impellor assembly and replaces it with a slightly meatier Mercedes version. All fixed and working fine. Bargain. One happy chappy. He also can do this by post, apparently.

If anybody thinks this may be of use, the guy's name is Fawad and his number is 07876542430. Very nice chap.

[Mothy]

My central locking is still working - BUT - everytime it locks it makes a parping noise :Blush2: from the boot. It sounds like a little beep on the horn & so this is related to the central locking.

Does anyone else have this ? & is this something I should be worried about ?

Thanks
Mothy

[Andy G 2004]

Hi hope there is someone who can help me!

The problem I have is with my Y Reg 2001 Audi A4. The prblem started when the C/L started to make a clicking sound when the car was parked up as if I was pressing the key fob. This carried on for several weeks until one night the alarm sounded and I was unable to deactivate it via the key fob. I needed to unlock the car from the drivers door, with the key, then the alarm stopped sounding. To my suprise the alarm sounded again and continued to sound for the rest of that night. The next day all was well, until we went to bed and the alarm situation started all over again until the whole alarm just died a death.

When the car is unlocked I am unable to open both rear doors but the boot and fuel cap is fine as is both driver and passanger doors. There is no LED flashing on drivers door when the car is locked from drivers door using the key. Hope there is some who can help "as the grief i'm receiving from the MRS because she has to unlock the car by putting the key in the door and turning it" is sending me mad!!! :Blush: She is talking about putting it into Audi to be repaired which to me is not an option as our bank account is not willing! I would be greatful for any advise at all.

Thanks

Andy G

[Andy G 2004]

Hi There

I joined this forum somtime ago now and posted a C/L porblem i have with my 2001 A4, but still have no responce from anyone about this problem. The fault has not been put right and i may be force to take it to Audi to be repaired, I thought I would of had some sort of responce but still waiting. I ill give it a week then ill try other forums.

Any advise please

Thanks

Andy G

[AutoTechnik]

Hi There

I joined this forum somtime ago now and posted a C/L porblem i have with my 2001 A4, but still have no responce from anyone about this problem. The fault has not been put right and i may be force to take it to Audi to be repaired, I thought I would of had some sort of responce but still waiting. I ill give it a week then ill try other forums.

Any advise please

Thanks

Andy G


Hi Andy,

Im a central locking specialist, if u want we can discuss your issue over the phone.

my tell is 07876542430

Thanks,

Autotechnik

[Andy G 2004]

Autotechnik



Thanks for responding, ill give you a call on Monday if thats ok with you. Hope you can sort this C/L problem out for me.:dunno:



Cheers mate

Andy G