VW Lupo Remote Lock Failure, Common Fix Needed

I had a very similar issue with my 2000 VW Polo last year. As someone with basic car maintenance experience, I initially tried checking the battery in the key fob, but that wasnt the problem. The keyless entry system completely failed, and the central locking stopped responding. After checking with a workshop, they found the issue was a faulty connection in the wiring harness that connects to the door locking mechanism. The security system was throwing error codes because of this disconnection. The repair involved replacing some damaged cables and a connector in the door, which resolved both the central locking and security system errors. Total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. To better assist with your specific case, could you share: Have you noticed any clicking sounds when using the remote? Does the manual key still work in all doors? Are there any other electrical issues with the doors? Have you recently had any work done on the doors or electrical system? These details would help determine if youre facing the same connection issue I had or if its something else in the door locks system.

Last serviced at 144609km. Had similar symptoms, but in my case, replacing both the key fob and driver side locking mechanism solved the issue. The security system error code cleared immediately after the repair. Manual door locks worked fine throughout, suggesting the keyless entry components were the main problem. The total repair cost including parts and programming the new key fob came to 280€. Much better than dealing with faulty door locks in the long run. The technician mentioned these failures are somewhat common in older VW models as the electronic locking components wear out over time. Would also check if theres corrosion on the door lock connectors, this can cause intermittent security system issues without needing full component replacement.

Thanks for the update on your Lupo repair. That wiring issue I mentioned in my Polo turned out to be just the start, I actually ended up needing a complete key fob replacement too, very similar to your situation. The remote locking problems you described match exactly what happened with mine, the car alarm and central locking system were both acting up until the full repair was done. My final bill was around 260€, pretty close to what you paid. Makes sense about the corrosion check, after my repair, I learned its worth inspecting the fuse box and door lock connectors regularly, especially in older VW models. The security system is pretty sensitive to any connection issues. Just curious, did your workshop mention anything about the wiring harness condition while they were working on the door locks? In my case, they found some wear in the harness that could have caused problems down the line if left unchecked.

Thanks for all the input about the wiring harness. The workshop did actually check it while replacing the central locking components. They found minor wear but nothing serious enough to require replacement yet. They cleaned and resealed all the connections which should prevent future corrosion issues. The security system now works perfectly with the new key fob, no more error codes or problems with the remote locking. For anyone else having similar issues, definitely worth having the full system checked rather than just replacing individual parts. The fuse box and all electrical connections were tested during diagnosis which helped identify the exact fault. Quick tip from my experience: They recommended spraying contact cleaner into the door lock mechanisms every few months to prevent future issues. Also good to keep a spare key fob battery on hand since these cars can be sensitive to low battery voltage in the remote. Really glad I got this sorted properly rather than trying cheaper temporary fixes. Having reliable central locking and security is definitely worth the investment.