VW Polo safe/dead locked rear doors, central locking issues. Fault finding and repair. 

Have just unlocked my stuck back-left door using the banging method. After a few cycles it froze up again and I had to repeat the process. I've since given a spray with WD40 everywhere that wouldn't compromise electronics and I'll get some grease on it ASAP. I suspect it'll bind up again on occasion but hopefully loosen up over time. Huge props to LM Auto. I'd narrowed down the issue to mechanical and the actual position using logic and careful listening (garage wrongly told me motor failure!)... just never occurred to try this clever trick. Respect & thanks :)

I had the exact same problem on my Leon. I drilled holed and greased the lock too. That was 3 years ago and it still works fine!

VCDS probably can do it. Few days ago I got same problem on Audi A4. VCDS can disable "safe" on A4. There was no water inside. inside lock there's two motors (lock-unlock and "safe" is separate motor) Brushes was not worn out... I just cleaned collectors on motors. And it works. Anyway, I like your work, I learned so much from you. 👍🏻

My daughters rear passenger door has this issue, I’ve just been out and gave it a beating while using the remote key and it now opens 🎉 thanks so much for this helpful video

Big shout out to your helper was very useful ! I bet your neighbours thought you was fitting a bass system with all that banging😄

good man, confirmed my diagnosis, electric locks and windows have been always been a problem, I remember drilling the window motors on my Quattro back in the 80's, best to do away with them, when it gets too much trouble to open a door or window maybe we should give it up, I enjoy my driving and I don't need some artificial 'what-not' to put my wipers on, lol

Oh my god! I was planning to get my car to the service for replacement of all locks, until I saw your video! Gonna try it first and lets hope I'll save a few buck! Thank you!!

Thanks so much for the video, helped unlock the safelocked drivers door on my 9n3. The only difference was I sat in the passenger seat and kicked where the lock is, and it popped open 3rd time!

Don’t understand what the “safe mode” is but love the percussive maintenance..Keep hitting it until it works👍😂

With VCDS you can disable that safe lock feature atleast from many other car platforms. Personally have not done it on Polo so can not be sure. I have disabled it from all Passats, A4, A6 etc that I have had. Safe lock motors get water inside and start to corrode. Nice trick you showed how to get them opened if they are not too stiff. I have used over voltage to drive them open.

Had to smile watching you bash the door. I have found laying on the seat & kicking it saves painful hands

Another problem sorted out. Well Done. 👍👍

The MK4 Golfs (same era) had bad solder joints on the board. The banging is a good way to 'jolt' the PCB and your smashing the lock/unlock eventually gets the joint in the right place at the right time!

I have a similar thing with the Ibiza project but unfortunately couldn’t get the lock to work with WD40 😔 top work mate specially getting the rear doors opened 👍

Quality, been struggling with this for a while and this is the first truly helpful video bar taking the trim off from a locked door and causing damage.. I disconnected the cable from the outside handle too so now I can leave it unlocked from the inside but safe from the outside until I replace the lock 👌 Cheers

very useful! Thank You! Keep coming

Great video! It did not have the usual finesse but... Let's say it was the right tool for the job 😂

Olã Luis ?buongiorno I'm a regular follower and LOVE your videos... Regarding this polo, golf mk4 and mk5 platforms, the door modules are common problem at failing and deadlocking. The micro switch in the modules tend to fail need to be opened up and electric components need checking... For the key adaptations, look in the comfort control module system. I used VCDS to program a spare fob to mine... I'm sure u are aware of these systems but thought u might want to know if it's new to you.. Hope this helps... keep up the Great Work 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 chow chow.

Saved me some money on this. Thanks a lot

After months my door opened thanks 👍

Thank you for another great video!!!

I felt bad for you as a rubber mallet did make it 10 times easier. I balled a sock over the head to help not damage the interior. Thanks for the video, this really helped.

Thanks for this have a similar issue to this but just the passenger door so will try this fix see if it fixes it 👍

Hi there my drivers door has lost power in the lock and the LED light which doesn't come on at all no light at all, the drivers door does lock but it's without electrical power assistance, my car is identical to yours only mine is a vw polo 1.9 sdi 9n, I think there identical engine size doesn't change anything. My problems began after I replaced the drivers side smashed window, everything worked for a few days then drivers door lock lost power assistance and alarm/immobiliser stopped blinking/flashing and does not light up at all. Great video very helpful Many thanks best of luck everyone.

ciao grazie per i preziosi consigli

I have the Exact model. Both my rear doors won't open. Passenger rear has been so since I got the car. But drivers rear door just didn't open one morning. Front passenger sometimes need a little push in to open from outside and when in drive and auto locks, that button pops back up.

I found disconnecting the battery, waiting 10 seconds, then connecting again gives more success when banging the door

Very good repair video. I liked it

Great video as usual👍👍👍

Best video yet on the subject but no luck as yet. Maybe I haven't been kicking it hard enough. Considering gelignite as I can't get the door card off as yet without destroying the door trim. What a nightmare

Thanks a lot! It works!

I had this exact problem . First I tried your method but with no success and decided to take it to my mecchanic. I just said I would try one more time , but useing a method I had in mind . First i sprayed Wd,40 inside the latch hole then I sprayed in the gap of the hand outside lever , keeping the lever in the open position . Than this made the trick , i copied a template from the other opposite door and copied as to the exact position as to where the lock was and went over to the other locked door and found out exactly wher the lock was, I managed to insert the little pipe supplied with the tin into where I thought was and gave it a great amount of squirts, and left it for 24 hours . The next day Bingo Iopened the door as though.nothing happened. ,

When I bought my vw golf estate 2013 I sat in the back the drivers side opened , then I tried to leave by other back door and found it was locked. Safe mode? Turned out all I had to do was press button on drivers door to open back doors . I was watching and thinking you will see button and say crap is that it . Thank for vid and finding the real problem with vw locks

Problem on these is usually a failing micro switch on the exterior of the lock which lets the system know the status of the door. The switch gets dirty or worn usually on the drivers door first and hence fails to communicate with the locking module and the other doors. I have just had one of these door locks apart and there is nothing internally which is likely to seized due to lack of lubrication. A spray around the micro switch can sometimes give a short term fix.

Vcds can code the modul to single locking.I done a ton of these. But there is s simple way.Will write in the W... Group

Same thing happened to my 2004 clio, luckily it has a manual latch that has just enough grip to lift it. Sigh old cars and electrics.

Hi Luis! Really appreciate your skills and dedication to fixing every thing (cars, computers etc). I would like to ask you if the diagnostic functions between the Maxisys and IM608 are the same or is the Maxisys better? I would like to get the IM608 for immo options but would prefer to have all the Autel possible options for diagnostic. There is no info anywhere about the capabilities of both and as I know you have them I would really like your oppinion. Thank you and all the best!

Thank nw what to dnw got the same problems with one door

It was setup for a left hand drive.

my polo 61 reg once is lock the drivers door doesnt open , only from the inside means i have to open the passenger door ( with the remote ) to open the drivers door

Great video! I’m going to try it in my golf IV. I guess VCDS is not strictly required as it is just for diagnose, but nothing to do with the fixing itself. Am I right? Thanks

Have the same problem in skoda octavia, probably identical lock

I have almost the same problem, except that I cannot lock the rear doors. Will get locks oiled up. Thank you.

great video very useful, what was that spray you used👌👍

i think its unlock single door and or unlock all doors . from what i recall on my bora cant remember if it is in remote programming. I would have disconnected battery to open door as the motor was locking when you did try to open. my passat front door done this also once no power opend it with emergency key. also with remote press2 times to unlock all door adding remote so you can unlock and bang door the same time?

Best solution would be relasing mechanism to outside and lubricate them by wd40 first then grease may this will take more time but thats the solution for long therm usage

Like the comment below mine . I have found myself , on my back and kicking the door while flipping the switch , a few times . I have tried it the other way around but my big toe doesn´t work as well as my finger.

All mine unlock with button but bk right doesn't open any idea's

My solution was fixing the cap of the petrol

Does this work on the boot door as well? Rear passenger door and boot stuck in my friend's 08 Polo. She is looking for a solution before contacting her mechanic. I have shared your video with her. Thank you!

It's hard to believe that VAG went from this type of security to the new keyless crap those car's were supposed to be the best you could have bought back then if you didn't want your car stolen

I have same issue but they are not deadlocked. My rear doors and boot dont lock/unlock with central so I have to do it manually. Rear windows also dont work. Where should i check. Wires seem fine

So we should do a scan first before we attempt any repairs, damn where am I going to get a scanner, great video thankyou.

use a rubber mallet and save wear & tear on your hand! :D

Where are you based? Thanks

Have you done the 3door polo 9n? Passenger door won't open

Can I disconnect my back doors completely so that it doesn't lock anymore

Hi I have same problem on a polo 1.2 2006year, I’ve bought a new lock mechanism for both. Would there be a video of how to install the new ones

Which grease did u use? Can you use any grease? WD40 or

Remove the battery and then open it from inside.

You should have oiled the brake pads better

Motor Door not work

I'm sorry , but I think this problem will return soon. These cars have a known problem with the wear and tear of the mini electric motors inside the lock

Overheating protection as you've just spent 5 minutes playing with the motor's

ho una soluzione più semplice senza danni

Can't you spray WD40 down where the button is? ..... just a woman asking!!! LOL

das auto