Intermittent door lock/unlocking with key fob

[s14roller]

For the past few months, my driver side front door won't consistently lock or unlock with the key fob. After the car has been sitting for a few hours, it almost certainly does not work, but seems to work half the time otherwise. All other doors work fine, and the issue door does lock and unlock using the key.
I was thinking it might be the door actuator, but would it make sense if the problem is intermittent? Logically I would think if a door actuator failed, the door would never work with the key fob.

Anyone else run into this issue? From my searches, I'm thinking it could be 3 things:

- bad actuator
- mechanism needs to be cleaned/re-oiled
- someone mentioned it could also be the physical lock/unlock button on the door

Thanks!

[The Infiltrator]

Here's your issue, I would just get a new door lock instead of the "fix in the thread below". Did you ever check the codes? I bet it's in there...
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post12146111

Where I bought mine.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post12163490

[s14roller]

Thanks for the post - I have an OBD2 reader and Carista, but don't believe they picked up any codes. It's possible a VAG-COM would have. Will look into this, thanks!

[Project Quattro]

Sounds like an actuator. Next time you hit the lock button, stand next to the car and see if the LEDs on the door sills flash in an unusual pattern. Normally they flash every few seconds but when an actuator failed in my '09 they flashed rapidly for a bit then didn't flash at all.


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[s14roller]

Sounds like an actuator. Next time you hit the lock button, stand next to the car and see if the LEDs on the door sills flash in an unusual pattern. Normally they flash every few seconds but when an actuator failed in my '09 they flashed rapidly for a bit then didn't flash at all.


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Yeah, when it doesn't work, LED will fast quickly and then hold a steady state. I basically will know when the door worked by the alarm chirp. No chirp, I have to bust out the manual key.

Just one thing to add to Infiltrator's post, it appears that if your car was built prior to 11/2009, for the front driver side door, you want part 8J1837015B which if unavailable, looks like has been replaced with 9A783721502

[Project Quattro]

Yeah, when it doesn't work, LED will fast quickly and then hold a steady state. I basically will know when the door worked by the alarm chirp. No chirp, I have to bust out the manual key.

Just one thing to add to Infiltrator's post, it appears that if your car was built prior to 11/2009, for the front driver side door, you want part 8J1837015B which if unavailable, looks like has been replaced with 9A783721502

IIRC there's a Porsche or VW component which is identical and cheaper. This repair is $700 at the dealership.


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[s14roller]

IIRC there's a Porsche or VW component which is identical and cheaper. This repair is $700 at the dealership.


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Correct, the 9A is actually listed as a Porsche part, with references to it replacing the 8J part. When you look up the Audi part number on parts.com, the Porsche and VW variants also show up.

[Jhearty99]

Correct, the 9A is actually listed as a Porsche part, with references to it replacing the 8J part. When you look up the Audi part number on parts.com, the Porsche and VW variants also show up.

Definitely this. Having the same issue on my A5 except it is not intermittent, doesnt work at all. I just sourced and ordered the Porsche part for $100 less than the Audi part.