central locking solenoids fried

[mrb27]

hi all, the other day i found all my solenoids were stuck solid. i understand that when a certain problem occurs it fries the solenoids one after the other and melts the inners to the point where they are knackerd!! im about to grab a new set but cant remember what exactly causes the problem and would like to know before i ruin a new set xD

Thanks in advance.

[Brianmoooore]

The solenoids (more accurately - lock motors) are fried when the ECU decides to power them continuously instead of just providing a short pulse. The soldered spring overload cut out inside the ECU should trip and save the motors, but it doesn't always operate fast enough, or it may have previously been 'repaired' using ordinary high melting point solder.
The usual cause of the ECU going faulty is it getting flooded, caused in turn by the drain slots in the sills being blocked.

[mrb27]

hmm i do recall doing a minor repair about a year ago to the ecu
and i may have used standard 'high melting point' solder

looks like i may be in the market for a new ecu too

thanks for the info and pointing out the error of my many ways

[Salwayne]

The spring overload cut out for the central locking system is in the central locking control unit which is behind the driver kick panel below a plastic guard, i had to solder mine two days ago as it had been out of action for years i made sure to use low melting point solder to allow its correct operation