Passenger door wont unlock

[Hobb99]

My 2007 S Line Avant refuses to unlock the front passenger door from the central locking - unless its summer! The door can be opened from inside, and the door will relock quite happily on the central locking.

Does anyone know where all the connectors are in the door/door pillar? There's obviously a bad connection that clears itself during warmer weather, but I don't know where to look.

I haven't summonsed the courage to remove the door card yet as I'd rather start with a possible problem area. Can anyone advise?

Many thanks

[gupsterg]

Hi, have you tried a scan with VCDS / Vagcom for fault codes? If you going to remove trim best to get a trim removal tool or wedge from ebay works a lot better then using screwdrivers and less damage to interior as they usually plastic.

Removing Trim
– Unclip trim panel for treble loudspeaker

– Remove trim panel

– Remove bolts (2x)
– Use a long screwdriver to remove bolt on underside of armrest
– Unscrew bolt on underside of door trim
– Unclip door trim at bottom, starting from the outer side
– Lift door trim approx. 20 cm out of door shell
- Unplug connector to treble loudspeaker
– Detach Bowden cable for interior door handle
– Unplug connector at door control unit

Disengaging Bowden cable
– Pull Bowden cable out of guide
– Disengage hook on Bowden cable from eye

Unplugging connector at door control unit
– Unfasten retaining clip and unplug connector from door control unit

Removing fastener for door trim
– Press retaining tab and pull out fastener.

[Hobb99]

This problem was happening when I had Audi Assistance replace a sensor a while ago. He did a fault code check - nothing showed up. That's not to say there isn't anything now but i don't have access to Vagcom or code reader now.
Hadn't thought of fleabay for card removal tool - i'll check. Thanks

[gupsterg]

Just done update to orig post take look sorry if formatting bad new to forum and posting

Overview of wiring in door trim
1 - Wire leading to door control unit
2 - Wire leading to door light
3 - Wire leading to anti-theft alarm light
4 - Wire leading to central locking switch (driver's side only)
5 - Wire leading to door handle light
6 - Wire leading to operating unit for seat memory
7 - Wire leading to electric window switch
8 - Wire leading to door warning light
9 - Wire leading to anti-theft alarm switch
10 - Wire leading to footwell light
11 - Wire leading to rear lid release switch
12 - Wire leading to mirror adjustment switch

[gupsterg]

Removing and installing trim panel

Removing
– Starting from front, unclip trim panel at three points from door trim
– Pull trim panel as far towards rear as possible and unclip remaining clip on trim panel

Installing Install in reverse order of removal.
Attachment 15970

[Hobb99]

Wow! Fantastic detail. Thank you very much.

Got a panel card tool on its way to me now.

I'll attack when the time is right!

I take it that there is only one electrical connection to the door? Do you have any record were the corresponding connector is in the car?

Thanks again.

[gupsterg]

This is info from service manual I have, do you mean where wiring loom from door would go into main area in car? Did problems started after Audi Assistance helped you? If so maybe you should complain to them.

As I have not worked on that section of interior and I hope my period of taking car apart is over.....
I have just done full service on car, all four discs & pads and when first got car repaired a leak on rear wiper washer pipe as it had flooded my car under carpet in passenger front and rear foot-well.
This was discovered when I took it in for a health check just after buying it. Surprising thing was it a had recall outstanding from 2007 on rear wiper washer system, but car had been to Audi even in 2010 for service I brought in Aug 2011.
So I'd only had car for week get checked at Audi they hand be estimate of £500 for service (due in 3000 miles), £390 for front discs (corroded) & pads (80% worn), gearbox output seal damp £300, front clinks £160, to rounded it off they said they done recall for wiper system but my rear washer does not work and they can investigate for £140 (not fix). I said thank you and would get back to them...
Once home done research on net and common problem with Avant that pipework splits or comes apart at joins and easily fixable at home, rang Audi dealer to say how disgusted I was at quote of £140 to investigate as they should know of this fault as they see so may of these cars, whilst they were testing washer they had flooded interior and was lucky blue-tooth module in passenger front foot-well had not been shorted (over £500 for module from Audi ex fitting). Removed front seat, partially lifted rear seat, lifted carpets sponged water out and dried residue with hair dryer. Reconnected hose joins which had come apart, then discovered split in pipe, cut that section out and joined pipe work with section of 6mm PVC hose. Clamped all connections on hose and Viola rear washer work
Next I made booking for c links at same dealer after dressing service advisor down they apologised profusely I explained they needed to try hard to impress me after my last visit. As that went well got gearbox seal done, they then done MOT and puncture on front tyre gratis!
I invested in VCDS from good blokes at Gendan and finished the service menu off (I have VW Crafter for my business thought would do home service on that as well).

[Hobb99]

Blimey! Makes my malfunctioning door lock look rather pitiful!!!

In answer to your question, no, the problem existed before Audi Assistance came to sort out the engine sensor.

Its strange that it all starts to work properly when the weather gets warmer tho. I've had the problem for about 18-24 months so its been through 2 winters and 2 summers. Same results each year.

Its now getting an absolute pain - so time to do something about it.

I was wondering where the wiring loom ended when it passes from the door into the door frame. Is there another connector just inside the car? If there is, my problems may be inside the car, not the door. I'd rather not dismantle the door card if there's nothing wrong with it in the first place.

Cheers

[gupsterg]

Trust me just glad all done now now just hope to drive and wax her up
It seems this could be what you are looking for wiring from door connects to plug on outer body then that plug goes somewhere behind dash.

Unplugging door separating connector

Removal Procedure
– Press dust cover and detach.
– Release door separating connector and remove outwards (press retainer tab)
- To reconnect reverse order
– Make sure connector is pressed onto connection piece so it engages audibly.
– Press on dust cover so it engages audibly.

Note:Make sure sealing lip of dust cover makes contact with A pillar evenly all round.

I once replaced the cushioning element on the glovebox, to remove it first remove fuse cover then there are three screws on the inside of glovebox where it meets dashboard and two below, above where passengers feet would be. Then a little coaxing will make it drop and you will be able to see where the wiring goes from door.

IF YOU REMOVE GLOVEBOX AND HAVE AN AIRBAG DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN GLOVEBOX DO NOT UNPLUG WIRING FROM IT OR IT WILL CAUSE FAULT IN AIRBAG SYSTEM AND NEED SOMEONE TO CLEAR IT. UNLESS YOU DISCONNECT CAR BATTERY SYSTEM WILL KNOW, A LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL LIGHT AND DO NOT KNOW IF AIRBAGS WORK WHEN FAULT IS REGISTERED AND NOT CLEARED.

To remove trim below steering remove two screws below and one behind fuse cover. Yes you guessed it I had to once remove it as used to get odd vibration sound from behind it at low revs but nothing loose behind it, reseating it fixed issue.

Have any fuses been blowing? as your fault is intermittent not trying to worry you but on a BMW 520i I once had the wiring on boot lid hinge cracked from opening closing, which meant all sorts of things would happen then when main fuse blew I found out fault. I was able to spliced wires together with connectors as BMW wanted £1500 for loom ex fitting as they only did complete loom not sections.

[Hobb99]

Fantastic. Thanks.

I think fault lies in that connector. I'm hoping it may be loose or the clip has not snapped shut.

Fingers crossed.

Glad everything has worked out for you. We've had the car nearly 3 years now - all I can say is that it's got to be one of the best cars we've ever had.

Apart from tyres that don't last too long (heavy right foot???) it's not caused us any major problems.

Enjoy!

Cheers