VW Polo Door Locks Dead: Common Causes & Fix Tips

Had the same issue with my 2015 Golf TDI last winter. The central locking system completely stopped responding to both the key fob and internal controls. After diagnostic testing, the problem was traced to corroded contact signals in the driver door wiring harness. The door switch connections had deteriorated over time, breaking the circuit for the central locking system. While the door sensors still functioned for dash warnings, the control signals weren't reaching the locking mechanisms. The repair involved replacing the main door wiring harness and testing all door switch connections. This was a moderate repair job requiring specialized diagnostic equipment to properly trace the fault in the car sensor network. Not exactly a quick fix, but also not a catastrophic issue. For your Polo, I suggest having the door sensor wiring checked first, particularly around the driver side where most control modules are located. The car alarm system might also need recoding after repairs. These symptoms often point to wiring rather than mechanical door latch issues. Best to have a qualified shop with VW diagnostic capabilities handle this, as proper testing equipment is needed to pinpoint the exact fault in the system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I also had the automatic locks fail on my 2018 Polo recently. The door latch seemed fine but the contact signals between components were completely dead. None of the electrical door functions worked properly. I took it to a specialist who diagnosed a faulty door sensor module and some corroded wiring in the driver side harness. They had to replace both to get the central locking working again. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Did the car alarm system need any reprogramming afterward? Mine has been running fine since the fix but curious if you had any related issues pop up later.

Thanks for asking about the costs. The faulty door contact signal issue on my Golf was resolved completely at the mechanic. The problem turned out to be simpler than initially feared, just a damaged cable connection in the wiring harness that needed fixing. Total cost was 95€ for the repair work. Unlike some cases, my vehicle doors didnt require any alarm system reprogramming after the fix. The automatic locks started working perfectly once the connection was restored. Its been over a year now and no related problems have surfaced. The central locking system functions as intended with both the key fob and internal controls. Looking back, it was a straightforward wiring repair that fixed the whole issue.

After checking multiple shops, I finally went with a certified mechanic who specializes in electrical issues. The total repair came to 280€, higher than yours but included replacing the entire driver side wiring harness and door sensor module. The car alarm system did need recoding after the repair, which added some time to the job. But the mechanic was upfront about all costs and explained exactly what needed fixing. Much better experience than my previous garage visits. Its been about 3 months now and all door locks are working perfectly. No electrical issues since the repair. The key fob and central locking button function like new. Really glad I found a trustworthy shop that could properly diagnose and fix the problem rather than just guessing at solutions.