Central Locking on P38 gone crazy. HELP

[masterkemen]

I have a 1997 RR P38. Over the last few years it seems to have developed a problem with the central locking.
Basically it has a mind of its on and locks and unlocks as I am driving down the raod. Recently it has got worse and does it constantly. It seems to be worse for example when I am in a large shopping center car park and when it happens I cant unlock or lock the doors with the remote. When I use the key it unlocks the drivers door and when I open the door the alarm goes off. Its driving me crazy. Has anyone experienced something similar and might know what is causing it and what is the solution.
Thanks

[PeterAllen]

I have had a similar issue when unlocking with the key and I now wait until the central locking is activated before I open the drivers door. Sometimes this may take a few attempts when unlocking and seems to play up more if the car has been sitting in the sun. I haven't dug into it yet so will be interested to hear of any ideas on what may be causing the issue. It may be the door locking mechanism in my case but I have not had the ghost activation symptoms that you have had. If the problem is in carparks it maybe other car remotes on same frequency to yours causing the problem.

[Keithy P38]

I can't remember 100% off hand, but the last I heard it has something to do with the drivers door sender. Others may be able to clarify a bit more as I haven't done any work around that area of my P38.

[BusinessConnected]

Ooops

[DandT]

Not had it with a Rover but I had the same problem on a falcon and it ended up being the wrong wattage bulb in one of the interior lights, but it took a while for it to show up, if you've tried everything else it's worth looking at!

[masterkemen]

thanks everyone. Can someone recommend a good auto electrician in the western suburbs of Melbourne ???

[Hoges]

Generally it's the front RH door latch... I have the same problem:mad:
They wear and start behaving erratically. A less than fully charged battery can also cause the issue.
WRT shopping centres and remote not working: the RF set up is sensitive to surrounding electromagnetic interference. You can get a replacement receiver which operates in a different band (LR recommended fix)... search this forum.

To fix the chattering door lock... what you need is one of these Body Fittings | Range Rover P38A | British Parts UK (http://britishparts.co.uk/t/range-rover/range-rover-p38a/body-fittings) (scroll down to door latch assembly) - need to find the correct one for your P38 i.e. 1995-99 or 1999-2002 About $215 at today's FOREX rate

[masterkemen]

Generally it's the front RH door latch... I have the same problem:mad:
They wear and start behaving erratically. A less than fully charged battery can also cause the issue.
WRT shopping centres and remote not working: the RF set up is sensitive to surrounding electromagnetic interference. You can get a replacement receiver which operates in a different band (LR recommended fix)... search this forum.

To fix the chattering door lock... what you need is one of these Body Fittings | Range Rover P38A | British Parts UK (http://britishparts.co.uk/t/range-rover/range-rover-p38a/body-fittings) (scroll down to door latch assembly) - need to find the correct one for your P38 i.e. 1995-99 or 1999-2002 About $215 at today's FOREX rate
thanks Hoges. Will try replacing door latch and see if that fixes the problem. Also will look at the battery because the car does not get driven very often

[Hoges]

I needed to replace the radiator...so the vehicle hasn't been driven for three weeks... other than to move it occasionally in the street:eek: So the battery has been getting down...was 12.3V earlier today and when parked in the carport could hear the door locks occasionally chattering!

Changed the radiator and charged the battery ...now 13.1V. Door locks haven't moved for three hours... try the easy fixes first!

[rossholroyd]

thanks Hoges. Will try replacing door latch and see if that fixes the problem. Also will look at the battery because the car does not get driven very often

Hi masterkemen,

I currently have exactly the same problem. Did the repalcement door latch solve your problem or was it something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated mate, being locke out with alarm blaring is driving me crazy.

cheers,

Ross

[Robsrod 58]

I have got the same problem, LR specialist here in Sydney said it could be a number of things but suggested to start with the BECM as dust ingress causes havoc with them, and is the most likely cause.
To this end he suggested to take it out and give it a good blow out, door locks didn't rate high on probable causes.
Mines going in to get new blend motors tomorrow, I'll ask some more questions then.


Rob

[SpiggyTopes]

Door latch micro switches .......

[PeterH]

I have been experiencing a similar problem with my door locks jumping up and down on thier own. Mine is definitely heat related, has hardly happened at all through winter, but now it's warmer, it has started happening once again, specially if the car is left in the sun.
From what I've read, and others have already suggested, the drivers door latch is the culprit.
There are micro switches in there that can play up, as well as the latch itself becoming worn, causing a bit of slop which tells the doors to open...or close.
I'm going to replace my door latch when I get the chance, there's a guide here if you want to tackle it yourself: Replacement of door latch 4.0/4.6/p38A) (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/doors/latchreplace.html)

[SpiggyTopes]

Yes, driver's door RHD latch.

Replaced mine (right hand front door LHD) and no more probs (ha ha).

It also fixed an intermittent problem with the tailgate not opening.

[FiveSPDDisco]

More then likely it is one of these two things.
The drivers door latch
Or the BECM.
If you're short on Money have a look at this part in our build were we delete the locking system.

Lucky8's Project P38 (http://projectp38.blogspot.com/2013/08/project-update-super-lock-no-more-i-bet.html)