VW Polo Central Locking System Failure, DIY Fix Tips

As someone with moderate car repair experience, I faced an identical issue with my 2007 VW Golf Diesel. The remote locking system failed completely, affecting both the central locking and car alarm functionality. After diagnosing the problem, my workshop found a faulty cable connection near the driver side door. The security system was throwing error codes because of this disconnected wiring in the locking mechanism. The repair involved replacing the damaged wiring harness and recalibrating the central locking system. Total cost was 95€ including diagnostics and parts. The fix took about 2 hours and has worked perfectly since then. These issues are fairly common in VW models from that era due to wire harness wear. Could you share: Have you checked if the key fob battery is working? Does manual key entry still work on all doors? When did you last have the car alarm or security system serviced? Are there any other electrical issues present? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something different.

Thanks for looking into this. Last service was done 2 months ago with no issues reported. The key fob battery is new, and manual door locks work fine on all doors. Just checked the fuse box and noticed fuse number 15 appears blown, which according to the manual controls the keyless entry system and car alarm. Could this simple fuse replacement solve both the remote locking and alarm issues? Want to try this before heading to a workshop since everything else electrical seems normal. Would appreciate input on whether I should test with a new fuse first or if blown fuse indicates a bigger electrical problem that needs professional diagnosis.

Thanks for the additional details. In my case with the VW Golf, I actually tried replacing fuse 15 first since it was the most obvious and cheapest fix. While a blown fuse in the fuse box can definitely cause central locking failure, it often indicates an underlying electrical issue that caused the fuse to blow in the first place. In my situation, replacing the fuse worked temporarily, but it blew again within a few days. This pointed to the wiring harness problem that was eventually discovered. The security system kept generating error codes because of the intermittent power supply. Since your key fob works and manual locks are fine, I suggest: 1. Replace fuse 15 to test 2. If it blows again quickly, the car alarm or door lock wiring likely has a short circuit 3. Check for any visible wire damage around the driver door hinge area 4. Consider professional diagnosis if the new fuse fails, as testing electrical circuits requires proper tools The fact that your manual locks work mirrors my experience exactly. My central locking system needed proper diagnosis despite the simple fuse issue initially appearing to be the culprit.

Thanks for the detailed feedback. I just replaced fuse 15 and it seemed to fix the issue for about an hour, but then blew again. Definitely seeing the pattern you mentioned with your Golf repair experience. After checking the driver door hinge area as suggested, I noticed some exposed wiring that looks worn, probably from years of door movement. This matches your diagnosis about the wiring harness being the likely culprit behind both the central locking failure and car alarm problems. Given that this is the second blown fuse and I can see potential wiring damage, I will book it into a workshop for proper electrical diagnosis. Better to fix the underlying issue properly than keep replacing fuses. Hopefully the repair costs stay around the 95€ mark like in your case. Thanks for helping me avoid a potentially endless cycle of fuse replacements and pointing me toward the real issue with the wiring harness. Will update once the workshop identifies the exact problem with the locking mechanism.