Both drivers and passengers locks act normally (ie. either one causes all doors to lock and engage the alarm). Unlocking passanger side is normal (unlocks all doors, disengages alarm).
My problem is that when I unlock the driver's side it unlocks but doesn't unlock the other doors or disengage the alarm.
I'm not entirely clear how the whole system works, so I'm completely lost as to where to start. Checked the fuses and they seem fine. I've never removed a door panel before, but I'm willing to give it a try to fix it (and learn something new!)
Any advice as to where to start and what to look for would be a great help.
Jer
the way that system works is as such. When you turn the lock in either front door, by way of an electrical switch in the door lock it self, turns on the vacuum pump in the trunk to produce pressure in the air lines that go from the pump to the door lock,gas flap and trunk vacuum slaves, which pushes the locks open. same thing but opposite when closing except the pump produces vacuum. The are usually 2 things that happen. the wire from the lock to the pump breaks or the vacuum lines break or come detached . 98 % of the time this happens it's at the door hinges. open the door and look at the wiring bellows at the front. Carefully peel off the rubber bellows from the connector. Depending on whether you have electric windows etc. you can have from 6 to 30 some wires there. unless your car has very low milage or in really good shape you will probably find more than one wire broken. So depending on how adept you are and how many wires are broken you can try to repair which ever wire are broken . If there are many that are cut ,it may actually easier to remove the door panel, remove the complete harness out of the door to do the job properly. Or you can go to the dealer or scrapyard and get a whole new harness. If everything else in the door works then maybe just that one wire is broken. BTW the big connector is removed by turning it counter-clockwise. Try be hand but it may take a pair of water pump pliers to turn it- BE CAREFUL !
Just for future troubleshooting if you open the lock and the only that door opens and you hear what sound like an air leak,one of the vacuum hoses is broken, probably at the door hinge also.
Thanks Caveman,
I'll take a look and let everyone know what I find.
Jer
Thanks for the info.
I'm messing with a '94 Jetta gasser with electric window problems and have seen several broken wires at the hinge.
Didn't quite know how to pull that plug/harness.
Every time I hooked the battery up, the alarm went off. I pulled the door card and disconnected the plug to the lock (jumped a couple plug connections but not sure that helped)and the alarm quit.