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Central Locking Questions

Started by ngruzevs, 27 December 2019, 02:51 PM

ngruzevs

I've got some questions about the central locking on my 79 450SE, as it only seems to hold enough vacuum for 3 locks and unlocks after the car is stopped. Is this normal for a 40 year old W116?

I have tested elements of the system and have some other observations that may help

- If I don't lock the car, I still have vacuum for weeks, as I found out when working on passenger front door, disconnected the lines after a 2 weeks of car being stationary and heard a gush of air when removing lines

- If I don't lock the car, I can come back 24-48 hours later and successfully lock all doors

- Rear drivers door actuator seems to be a bit lazy compared to the other doors, even with vacuum this door is slower to lock and unlock than the other three doors.

- When I unlock the drivers door, there is a gush of air that emirates from the end of the master door actuator, it's audible to the point that you can hear it when the door trim is on

- Tested three vacuum lines in drives door y/r holds pressure, y/g holds pressure, but middle yellow line leaks very slowly

- Tested both blue one way valves in engine bay, both hold pressure.

Thanks in advance, keen to hear feedback

Nick

1971 MK2 Jensen Interceptor
1979 W116 450SE
1987 W126 300SE
2007 Lexus LS460
2018 Hyundai i30N

ptashek

My car holds vacuum for months on end, but it has every part of the vacuum system renewed and resealed.

Based on the description, I'd say the master central lock cylinder in your driver's door is leaking. Quite a common issue. They were still available new not long ago, but are NLA now. There are aftermarket ones from VDO for about $50. Search for A1168000473 (OEM) or 248049004001C (aftermarket VDO).

Another thing to check is the rear reservoir seal. It gets hard with age, and starts leaking around the hard-line.

Then there's the actuator membranes, which can develop cracks as they age, and all the rubber connector and junction pieces.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ngruzevs

Thanks for the feedback. I've ordered a new VDO master central lock cylinder and will replace all the actuator membranes (already replaced the four in rear door drivers side door). Although the rubbers looked ok, it's an easy task to replace.

Once I've changes master central lock cylinder and all actuators, I'll retest the whole system with a vacuum pump.
1971 MK2 Jensen Interceptor
1979 W116 450SE
1987 W126 300SE
2007 Lexus LS460
2018 Hyundai i30N

ngruzevs

All

Received all the parts, actuator membranes (for all doors), master switch, but yet to troubleshoot and replace parts. From what I can tell, I've got a small leak from the master line into drivers door. When I pull hose off and connect it to pressure pump, I can see pressure slowly being lost. I've checked for cracks in reservoir seal, but looks good, how should I begin to troubleshoot this leak (Note, I've tested both blue one way valves in engine bay, both hold pressure)?

Thanks in advance.
1971 MK2 Jensen Interceptor
1979 W116 450SE
1987 W126 300SE
2007 Lexus LS460
2018 Hyundai i30N

Jed

If the leak is coming from the drivers door I would bet its the master "valve" in the door.  They seem to wear out and leak predictably. Remove the door panel and you will be able to readily check the valve with your vacuum pump.  You can check each line independently with the panel off and confirm that its the valve.
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #5206 - restored
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #6424 - ongoing restoration
1976 Mercedes 6.9 #484 - restoration?

ngruzevs

Thanks Jed.

Today I replaced master switch, but still no joy, so launched into some troubleshooting. Connected my vacuum pump (using a T piece to the expansion tank). This holds vacuum perfectly when no unlocking/locking is occurring, but as soon as I lock and unlock I lose vacuum, to the point where all vacuum is lost after 4-5 locks/unlocks. I seem to lose 40mm/Hg for every lock/unlock and visa versa.

I've replaced actuators in passenger door (drivers side), but still need to replace all other actuators. I assume it's highly likely to be a torn actuator somewhere in the system?
1971 MK2 Jensen Interceptor
1979 W116 450SE
1987 W126 300SE
2007 Lexus LS460
2018 Hyundai i30N

UTn_boy

Don't rule out perforated vacuum lines in between the doors and the "A" and "B" pillars.  Even under the rear seat I've seen lines break.  Though, follow your advice about replacing the remaining actuators first. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

ngruzevs

I'm still yet to replace the other actuators, but after car has been standing for a week (unlocked), there's still a heap of vacuum, so I only lose vacuum when unlocking/locking. Hopefully will get round to changing actuators in next few weeks.
1971 MK2 Jensen Interceptor
1979 W116 450SE
1987 W126 300SE
2007 Lexus LS460
2018 Hyundai i30N

Jed

so how many lock unlock cycles is normal in a competent system?

4-5 doesn't seem unreasonable does it?
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #5206 - restored
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #6424 - ongoing restoration
1976 Mercedes 6.9 #484 - restoration?

Jed

so how many lock unlock cycles is normal in a competent system?

4-5 doesn't seem unreasonable does it?
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #5206 - restored
1979 Mercedes 6.9 #6424 - ongoing restoration
1976 Mercedes 6.9 #484 - restoration?

ptashek

I'd check, but after standing idle since September it no longer has any vacuum left. That's new...

But 5+ should be easy in a healthy system.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

daantjie

Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

ptashek

Just checked proper. I can get 5 full cycles on my car, and a very slow sixth half-cycle. That's with every part of the system having been replaced in 2016.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

UTn_boy

Well, you're supposed to lose vacuum as you operate the system with the engine off.  Unless the engine is running there is nothing to replenish the vacuum supply in the reservoir.  However, and as the others have stated, you should be able to operate the system 4-6 times with nothing but the vacuum supply in the reservoir.  It's not uncommon to lose vacuum as the car sits, either.  It should take a while, but how long?  Anybody's guess is as good as mine.  It depends on the tightness of the system. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

BCDC

I may be just lucky but I live in a place where we hardly ever lock our cars even at home. When I'm out in the Mercedes, I do "pretend to" lock it with the key sometimes and two and a half doors lock sort of. The boot does lock for some reason. I don't worry and go and do the shopping or whatever it is. I will get around to fixing this one day. Who is going to try and steal these cars anyway?
1978 280SE Cream with blue interior. With SLS