My car keeps locking itself!

[GazCaff]

I've come to notice a weird problem with my car. Sometimes it will spontaneously lock itself (but doesn't activate the security system). This can happen when stationary or on the move, ignition on or off and there seems to be no pattern to it. It can go for days without it happening and then it can happen dozens of times in a day.

I've noticed that sometimes when it locks itself I can hear the vacuum motor in the boot operating repeatedly. The other pattern I have noticed is that if I am having the problem (whilst stationary, lol) I can open either of the front doors and it suspends the problem until the door is closed again. The rear doors or the boot lid do not affect it though.

Any ideas before I dive in with my multimeter?

 

[blassberg]

maybe...
If you unlock the car and do not open the doors it assumes you want it locked.

If you open a door it should stay open.

If you drive to 10mph and it locks that's ok if you want that. Otherwise press and hold the lock/unlock button for 5 seconds or so (rtm)

So may be working as designed.... maybe not...

 

[GazCaff]

maybe...
If you unlock the car and do not open the doors it assumes you want it locked.

If you open a door it should stay open.

If you drive to 10mph and it locks that's ok if you want that. Otherwise press and hold the lock/unlock button for 5 seconds or so (rtm)

So may be working as designed.... maybe not...

The problem is too intermittent for either of them explainations. I am almost 100% certain my car doesn't have the auto locking when on the move feature.

It is a definate fault, thanks for offering an idea though.

 

[television]

The problem is too intermittent for either of them explainations. I am almost 100% certain my car doesn't have the auto locking when on the move feature.

It is a definate fault, thanks for offering an idea though.

If you have Command you can turn the auto locking off or on, both on the move and when parked, it may help for now. I know it is not a cure.

Malcolm

 

[GazCaff]

I don't have command, it's a '97 W202.

 

[GazCaff]

I'm wondering if the problem is moisture related. looks like I'll have to do some striping down and some continuity testing to get to the bottom of this one.