New driver side door lock actuator not working

[egiese319]

Recently had to replace my driver side door lock actuator on my 2012 VW Golf after the original broke and I couldn't open the door from the outside. Got the unit replaced and now I can open the door from the outside/inside but that's it. The door no longer auto unlocks when i am near it with the key and it tries to auto lock the door when i drive above 10 mph but it doesn't do it to the drive side door so when in traffic and going over 10 mph then back under, the car is constantly trying to lock the door but it doesn't hold the lock. The lock switch on the inside doesn't work when I try to lock it when the door is open while I'm getting out either. It does hold the lock though when I am out of the car and all doors are closed.

I bought the part off of rock auto and made sure i bought the option for safe lock but maybe i bought the wrong one or do i have to do something with syncing my key to the door again? I didnt think I would have to do it since all i replaced was the actuator but maybe I'm mistaken.

Has anyone else had any issues/experience with this problem?

 

[Beewi]

So it sounds like you installed it and hooked up the latches correctly since you can open the door from inside and out. I don't have the model with proximity unlock so I can't help there. To me, the failure to lock at 10 mph sounds like a symptom of a broken micro switch or that the lock isn't communicating correctly with the door control module, or the module isn't communicating correctly with the rest of the car.

Do you have VCDS? A scan would show an intermittent communication fault or implausible signal.

You said the old module has to be replaced after it broke and you couldn't open the door from the outside. Did the module just stop engaging the exterior latch or was the cable to the latch physically broken? Any signs of stripped or shorted wiring in joints or boots?

You said you got it off Rock Auto, but did you get an OE manufactured one? And you're absolutely sure it's a module for the front door?

 

[egiese319]

I dont have a VCDS unfortunately, and the cable itself in the actuator broke (happened when i was too quick to open door and pulled on latch at the same time it auto-unlocked and it popped and stopped working). When it was removed, the cable had no pressure on it and flopped around compared to the new actuator cable that had tension when pulled.

I just reviewed the one i bought to others offered and Im pretty sure I made a goof and ordered the wrong one. The one i ordered was for the front drivers side door and talks about meeting OE specifications and says its for vehicles made with and without safelock but thats it (made by Shee-Mar) . The other says its a direct fit OE that comes with the factory door lock function (made by URO Parts).

I did the fix a couple of months ago and the issues started right away when i replaced it but I was just happy that I could open my door again and lock it so i just dealt with it until now.

Sorry for the post if this ends up being my fault and just ordering the wrong one.

 

[Beewi]

Why apologize? Let's assume that it is as simple as getting the OE part. If someone else with safe lock on their car googles this same issue, this thread will pop up and they will know to check to see if their lock module is designed to work with that feature.

 

[egiese319]

Your right, i appreciate the help.

I will report back when i get the other one installed and hopefully that fixes my issue.

 

[Nuje]

Did you look at the part number of the dead one you pulled out? See if that matches with the new one you ordered / are ordering.
Particularly the last letter(s) at the end if there are any. For example, 5K1 123 456 A and 5K1 123 456 B will probably physically fit, but will often have different "smarts" built into them.

 

[egiese319]

Did you look at the part number of the dead one you pulled out? See if that matches with the new one you ordered / are ordering.
Particularly the last letter(s) at the end if there are any. For example, 5K1 123 456 A and 5K1 123 456 B will probably physically fit, but will often have different "smarts" built into them.

I will check this with the new one as I already threw out the old one, thanks!

 

[egiese319]

Took some time to get to but new the door lock actuator I ordered and installed today was the correct one, no more trying to auto lock itself every time I go above 10 mph and it auto-unlocks when I walk up to the door. I looked for numbers on the new part and the one i originally installed and honestly couldn't find any numbers, probably because they are not OEM.

For future reference, if anyone has my issue where the door lock actuator breaks, buy the ÜRO PARTS 5K1837015J Front Left and this should get you going again.

Thanks to everyone who commented.

 

[calimustang]

yep! I have the exact same part and its quite easy to replace with door skin off....