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advice please guys
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:33 am
by phillip
Hello all, i am a fully paid up memand wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction, just bought a 1996 ford freda, and i have no central locking at all, i am sure it should have, but have to lock all the doors if opened individually which is a real pain i have chacked the obvious fusess and all ok,
so where is the first place to start to sort this out, please help i am wearing my key out !!!!!!!!
regards Phill
also i am after a good bongo specialist in the glos / bristol arear if anyone knows of one.
Thanks all
[email protected] 
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:59 am
by pippin
Can you hear any relay/motor "clunking" when you operate the driver's door lock?
You might want to check the integrity of the wires in the flexible loom coming out of that door.
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:13 am
by Shads
Could also be something to do with "extra" keys that may have been cut for your bongo in the past. I have three keys and only the original key will operate the central locking, the other two do what you described. I have noted on the forum quite a few others have keys that carry out limited functions if they have been cut by locksmiths.
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:13 pm
by trevd01
You may possibly only have a 'valet' key.
My locksmith explained to me about valet keys (as in U.S. valet parking).
They key is the same number as a proper key, but cut on a different blank, which is (I am guessing) maybe shorter, and only locks and unlocks the drivers door and starts the car. The idea is it prevent a valet parker stealing stuff out of your boot (trunk!) or locked glovebox.
Does your key open the boot and glovebox? If so it is a not a valet key and you may have a central locking fault.
If it does not open the boot and glovebox, it is could be a valet key and the next step might be to get a proper (non valet) key cut to the same number.
If you need to do this you do need a proper locksmith with access to the correct Mazda key blank and a computer controlled key cutter that can cut from the key number. I don't think multi-service places like Timpsons can necessarily do this (the half dozen I tried on my quest for a key last year couldn't)
There is a place here in West Yorks that can do it:
http://www.harfordssecurity.co.uk/
Although they will do mail order, you can no doubt find a security/locksmith firm locally. You can find a master locksmith near you on the Master Locksmiths Association website:
http://www.locksmiths.co.uk/
There is a factsheet showing pictures of the keyblank types in the members area.
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:25 pm
by Colin Lambert
Try the batteries in the 'plipper', mine go flat quite quickly as I am stupid enough to carry my keys in the same trouser pocket as my change I think the button may remain depressed in my pocket! The springs on the 'plipper' buttons are not very strong, so it is quite easy to press them inadvertantly.
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:24 pm
by mikeonb4c
Be VERY careful what you write Colin, your post is grist to the mill for a joker like me. Give it a quick re-read

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:33 pm
by Veg_Ian
Erm if you read Phillip's post closely you will notice he says he is having to use the key to unlock every door. If he's just bought the car I suspect there is only the one key so forget all the business about remote locking fobs and valet keys, the problem lies with the central locking as Pippin pointed out. The likely suspect will be the relay in the driver's door or the wiring to it.
Another possible fix
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:14 pm
by Andrew n Mary
Another point that may be worth investigating? If you are not getting a clunking noise then forget it, but if you are....
I had the same sort of problem when I was a bit slap-dash in putting back my door panel, after trying to fix a sticky window.
Take off the internal panel to the driver's door (only 4 screws). Look at the locking button that normally protrudes above the trim when not locked.
You will notice that there are two thick wire prongs that support this. On each is small link with a screw. One link connects to a thick wire arm that is attached to the internal door handle. The other links to the central locking mechanism below it. If the screw on the link to the central locking arm is loose, then the button will still move up and down but will not actuate the central locking, the rod just slips through the link.
The screw and link are not a great fit on this thick piece of wire and when I wiggled my trim back onto the door, I must have pulled down on the button and loosened the screw.
Just try, it might solve it?
Andrew
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:02 pm
by PAUL10121968
AS PIPPY SAID,THE WIRES THAT COME OUT OF THE DRIVERS DOOR AND INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS ARE MORE THAN LIKEKLY BROKEN,HAD THAT PROBLEM WITH MINE.EASILY RECTIFIED SO DON,T WORRY.PAUL

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:41 pm
by phillip
Blimey !!!!!
what a great response thanks guys that all sounds great ,
i only have one key, it will open all doors, i dont have remote control locking device,
so it sounds like the drivers door is the first place to try so i will go from there then try the relay and then onto the loom, obviously as the last resort !!!
there is no sound of anything trying to move inside like relays etc, all dead,
Thanks again guys i will let you know what happens so to help others on here, any other suggestions keep them coming,
regards Phill
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:53 pm
by pippin
If you have to take the inner door panel off anyway, you might as well look to see if there is a remote control receiver fitted.
It is a small box with a connector and there is a small reset button on it for setting up purposes.
Each key fob is made with its own different transmit code.
A receiver can be trained to recognise up to three new key fobs.
If there is a receiver fitted then you could buy a fob.