Power Lock Motor Keeps Running

[SM 46]

I just found a '96 Jetta that I am about to buy. Its in really good shape, and the only thing I have found thats wrong with it is the power lock motor...

After pressing the unlock button, the lock motor (on the driver's side of the trunk) continues to run for about 10 seconds. This happens only when you press the switch to unlock the doors, locking the doors works as it should (the motor shuts off as soon as the locks are done moving).

Any ideas... is it a sticky switch, or maybe a problem with one of the door locks? Could it be the lock motor itself? Is it even worth trying to fix? Thanks for any help you can offer!

[anton-99]

I had a similar problem with my '96 a couple of years ago, any time the power locks were used to lock/unlock all the doors (which included arming the alarm with the key) the motor would run and run and often not accomplish anything.

I traced it back to a leak in the airline from the motor/compressor. Since the locks are controlled pneumatically, any leak in the air lines from the compressor to the locks will cause all the pressurized air to leak. I traced my particular leak back to the junction between the driver's side front door and the body of the car (there is a rubber boot covering these all up from each door to the body). The small air hose (yellow I think) just kept coming off the male connecting piece. I tried just fitting it back on there, but the air pressure kept pushing it off. Finally I used a small amount of super glue (or something similar) to glue it back in place. It has since held without problem. Just becareful not to use too much or it could clog the air line.

Of course it could be an air leak somewhere else that could be more trouble. The hoses look pretty robust for as little use and pressure as they see, so I wouldn't think they would rupture. It's probably just a loose connection.

Check it out and let me know. Hopefully I haven't misunderstood your problem.

[SM 46]

Thanks, that sounds like a possibility, and will definitely be worth checking out. The only difference between my problem and the one you described is that mine only does this on the unlock cycle. Hopefully mine will be that easy to fix.