Central locking doesn't work

[sedstrSTI]

Hi guys so my central locking does not work for any of my doors
Here is the story short , It would sometimes work then sometimes wouldn't work for a couple of months... now it doesn't work at all...

I understand that there is this tread for help,

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10479

But what are the chances of all 4 doors failing at the same time?

Can it be the battery in my key? shame that I don't have a spare to try with

I'm looking at selling the car soon to upgrade to a GT-B and would love to fix this problem before it is up for sale

Thanks in advance

[Mat04]

Change the battery and find out. More than likely fox the problem though. If not I got 3 central locking mechs left and probably could get the forth if you need them.

[sedstrSTI]

have the day off tomorrow, will look into it and update this thread

[circlethesky]

Does the open boot button work?
Like Matt said it's probably just the battery, I had both of mine die within a week of each other about a month after driving the car home.
Lucky you don't have an alarm!

[sedstrSTI]

Nope boot also doesn't work... did not even think of that, 99% battery easy fix


UPDATE: it was the battery, $9 fix and 23.45 seconds to change

[danew]

Bumping this up rather than starting another thread.

I am just about to take delivery of a Gen 4 3RB and the central locking doesn't work. Apparently Subaru diagnosed it as a Key problem and a $300 fix (previous owners word). I have had a quick look through TeK's DIY on replacing the solenoids/actuators but I am not entirely sure this is the problem with this car.

Symptoms:
- key FOB doesn't do anything, no doors open and boot does not open either (apparently owner just tried to replace key and it worked once but won't do it again)
- key in either front door only unlocks that particular door, none of the other doors unlock/lock when using the key like this.
- I haven't had a chance to try the lock/unlock button inside the car to see if this does anything.

Would it be likely that the actuators are still the cause of this issue? Or is it pointing to something more annoying like the central locking mechanism etc?

Also how much are replacement keys for Gen 4's?

Thanks!!!

[kiwigene]

Stating the obvious... change the battery.

If that doesn't work then you might have the same undiagnosed problem I have.

I don't think my problem is the actuators either because the door switch works (usually...).
There does seem to be some dependence on whether the car is warm or not.

This 1st world problem really shits me... Good luck.

[danew]

Apparently the battery was just changed, worked once, then no longer.

Subaru has diagnosed it as a $300 fix - apparently it's a problem with the key "head".

[kiwigene]

So not the key itself, but part of the central locking receiver electronics in the car? If so, that's what I suspected.

I bet it's just a dodgy solder joint that's come loose over time or a 20c electronics part - probably to do with the RF receiver.
But Subaru surely charge you to replace the whole "module".

Unfortunately I don't know where to look in the car - or probably enough electronics skills - to fix it myself.

Anyone got suggestions on which part to investigate?

[raulv]

Body control module. Subaru won't fix as their technicians will not pull out the module and identify the solenoid that requires work. They will only do a straight replace of the entire module which is an expensive exercise $2 to $3k.

I have the same issue with my car and I called a few auto electricians but none were keen to play around with it.

If you diagnose the problem as something else keep us updated.

[danew]

RAULV - What symptoms does your car have?

[ferret89]

Apparently the battery was just changed, worked once, then no longer.

Subaru has diagnosed it as a $300 fix - apparently it's a problem with the key "head".

Change the battery again to be sure. If not see if its working from inside the car with the lock button.

All else fails, might just have to pay the $300 to fix it. Try and knock that off the price of the car if you haven't bought it yet

[raulv]

As suggested definitely try changing the battery first.

I posted about my troubles a while back. Symptoms are here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23906.

[danew]

Ok, finally got the car.

- Central locking button (on the drivers door) works for all doors except the rear passenger side.

- Turning the lock on the drivers door with the key only unlocks the drivers door and none of the other doors

- changing the battery in the FOB does nothing

Any more ideas?

[kiwigene]

Ok, finally got the car.

- Central locking button (on the drivers door) works for all doors except the rear passenger side.

- Turning the lock on the drivers door with the key only unlocks the drivers door and none of the other doors

- changing the battery in the FOB does nothing

Any more ideas?

1) that's the actuator not working - can be fixed

2) that's normal

3) as raulv said - it's probably the BCM. It's either an expensive dealer fix, or you live with it, or perhaps someone on here might one day fix theirs and post a how-to (time and care-factor are holding me back...).