AW: [DML] Original locking module: Really that bad?

["Elvis Nocita" <elvisnocita@xxxxxx>]

Ryan - check out my description of the module on the tech page of the 
DMCNEWS.

The solenoids do not fail because of age.
They fail because a relay had sticking contacts due to the poor design
of the relay driving circuit. But it's not that bad. Replace the relays
and you're ok for the next years or so. 

And the solenoids won't short right back into the module. When the 
isolation paint of the copper wires inside the solenoids is burned off
due to extreme high current and a long time (probably it takes way more
than the second that it is normally activated) let's say for several 
minutes, then the wires make a short. The current doesn't flow thru
all the windings anymore and therefore the force of the solenoid which
is nothing else than a magnet - is reduced and can't move the parts in 
the door anymore.
By the way - the solenoid can't short the entire circuit as it isn't
directly connected to the control logic. Check the schematic.

Another note - I found a simple and cheap way to prevent the power locks
from locking when one or both door is/are open. I will post this
on the DMCNEWS page soon.

Elvis & 6548


Everyone seems to think the original door lock module is terrible and
will lock you in the car / destroy the solenoids / drain the battery.
My module didn't work correctly when I bought the car, turned out the
driver's lock solenoid was shot & shorting the entire circuit. I
rewound the solenoids, reconnected the lock module, and it all works
great now.

For the fun of it I took the lock module apart. Folks, this is a very
simple circuit. A few wires, couple of diodes and relays, not much
else. What's the problem with the circuit? Are we sure this is a
problem with the locking module and not simply the age of the
solenoids themselves? When they fail, they will short right back into
the lock module and cause problems. Seems to me that rewinding the
solenoids will restore them to new and prevent this problem from ever
occuring.

Is there something I'm missing?

-Ryan




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