Central Locking - sometimes

[CRC]

A few nights ago, I realised that when I lock the car with the remote, sometimes the indicator lights flash and sometimes they don't.

 

I figured it was just one of those things that would go away, but had a closer look today and realised that the drivers door "button" is trying hard to go down, but doesn't always make it.

 

When it does, the lights flash and the car is locked properly, when it doesn't,  the drivers door button is still up, though the red led alongside it is flashing. If I open the door in this "locked, but drivers door is unlocked" state, then the alarm goes off.

 

It seems to unlock fine on the remote, but is finnicky about locking again.

 

Have scanned the car ( 01 Engine electronics ) for faults and none are present.

 

The mechanical engineer in me thinks that maybe a bit of lube somewhere might help, but not sure where to put it.

 

As usual, all advice gratefully received.

 

Thanks.

 

Have just played with it a bit more and it seems to work fine when using the key in the door lock, but when stood alongside the door using the remote, I can occasionally hear a click coming from an area in front of the steering wheel which I assume is coming from a relay?

Edited 27 September, 2016 by CRC

[CRC]

Having resigned myself to buying a new door lock motor, I decided to try a liberal squirt of "3 in 1 lock oil" into the keyhole, and it seems to be working fine again.