Door Lock and Key FOB is Driving me NUTSSSS

[Quad_Ova]

Hey e'erybody.

Wondering if anyone had some ideas regarding this situation:
I noticed a few weeks ago that when I arm my ATA via the remote, the horn doesn't beep. But if I arm the ATA using the key hole in the door, it beeps (the LED does the normal blinking). Today I finally had the chance to look into it more in depth. When I arm via remote, the LED on the driver door will blink rapidly then stay solid red and all the doors minus the driver's door will lock. In my mind this tells me it's in Valet mode. However when I open the door the alarm will go off (mind you, I haven't unlocked the doors with my remote yet).

It is really pissing me off so I thought I would ask here before going across town to the dealership.

Maybe the FOB battery is dying but that doesn't make sense to me.

Any thoughts or similar experience?

[halfwit hero]

I havent heard of anything like this, but you know it would hurt to spend a couple bucks on a battery, rather than 260 on a new key. But if the battery doesnt do the trick, you should probably head over there!

[Quad_Ova]

true true.

[HIBB]

Failing door latch.

[DUSlider]

It's not the fob. Door latch is bad. If you are under warranty it'll be covered, get it to the dealer.

[damionmyst]

smart technical comment that helps the situation that makes me sound reputable and knowledgeable

[BIGGREEK]

yea that red solid light means there is a fault with that latch module or mechanism. I currently have that problem and i have had it replaced before in the past. EVERY VW with automatic locks has always had an issue.

[BadEgg]

Until you get to the dealer (or save up $200+ if its out of warranty):

Hit the "unlock" on the driver's door on your way out of the car. Close door. Hit "lock" on FOB. All doors will lock (including driver's).

If you are doing the work yourself, it's also a good time to replace the door speakers w/ beefier ones.

[GoRabbit07]

finally after all this searching, someone with the same problem as me. been lurking for a bit, first time poster. i have a 2007 Rabbit i just got a few weeks ago and all other problems aside (ya CELs been on twice within two weeks, but i bought it with some mods), this locking problem has been the bane of my existence. i've had the door latch replaced, the battery on the FOB replaced, and have taken it to two different dealers. sometimes the door locks, other times it doesn't. after going through all of this, my theory is that the unlock button itself has a shoddy connection, therefore a new remote is needed. if anyone has any further knowledge or maybe if the OP got it fixed i would greatly appreciate it.

[dombleu]

Could that be a coding issue? Like the previous owner did experiment a tad too much with VCDS?

[Wabbit]

GSS: Go Simple Stupid.

VW's with automatic locks are notorious for door latch issues as said above, more often on the drivers side because thats the one that gets locked/unlocked the most. If all the doors lock but drivers side its not the key fob or the battery, once the receiver gets the signal to lock/unlock it does just that a weak battery or bad connection inst going to lock just one door or the other. If all the doors wont lock then it is possible that there is something wrong with the fob. Simple issue; door latch is failing get a new one, or have it repaired under warranty.

[DUSlider]

GSS: Go Simple Stupid.

VW's with automatic locks are notorious for door latch issues as said above, more often on the drivers side because thats the one that gets locked/unlocked the most. If all the doors lock but drivers side its not the key fob or the battery, once the receiver gets the signal to lock/unlock it does just that a weak battery or bad connection inst going to lock just one door or the other. If all the doors wont lock then it is possible that there is something wrong with the fob. Simple issue; door latch is failing get a new one, or have it repaired under warranty.

The force is strong in this one.

[GoRabbit07]

Could that be a coding issue? Like the previous owner did experiment a tad too much with VCDS?

i took it to two dealers and thats what they said. already had the battery and latch replaced. the previous owner also changed the alarm chime. it sounds like a damn bird.

[dombleu]

the previous owner also changed the alarm chime. it sounds like a damn bird.

haha! A rabbit with a bird! Sounds like comics from my youth!

[DUSlider]

I am not aware of any coding changes that would change the way doors lock other than unlocking all doors with one push of the keyfob button or the driver side door with one push, and all other doors with a second push.

Do you have this issue when not using the fob? Get in the car and lock/unlock the doors from the button on the door. Also, does the display show that your door is open when it's not, or vica versa?

I still say its the door lock mech. What does a vag-com scan show?

[GoRabbit07]

i have no issues when not using the key fob. the door lock mech isnt the problem. it was just replaced by my dealer. also, i dont own vagcom software but ive taken it to two authorized VW dealers and they told me the same thing. the previous owner screwed with the coding. whatever he did interferes with the lock function on the fob. he changed the alarm chime as previously mentioned and made it so the windows go up and down while holding the lock and unlock buttons, respectively.

[GoRabbit07]

sorry for the double post.

[dombleu]

I am no VW rep or tech, but there must be a way of doing a "factory reset" or maybe just reflash every module Eeprom in the car to the state it was in the first place.

Anyone done that or has that been done before?

[ohbaybayrai]

My 2008 rabbit just started doing this last night- this is probably not the right solution but I just slam the door harder and the problem corrects itself.

Anyone know how much a door latch replacement at the dealership costs - or if this is something I could have a mechanic friend do?

Thanks!