Central locking not working-what to check

Just bought a 53 reg T5 panel van, on which the central locking does not
work. The key battery needed changing, which I've done, but no joy.
Using the key in the driver's door only opens that door, so I have to go
round opening each door as needed. I've also checked what I think is the
appropriate fuse.

I was just after any tips on where I can check wiring etc before I take it in
to get sorted by VW. I have taken out all the lining in the rear so
everything is pretty accessible. First post on this forum, so thanks in
advance for any help! The van will eventually be kitted out for my
windsurf gear, once I have waterproofed, insulated and carpeted in the
rear. Ex Car Bloke/windseeker, and TwoFish, I've been following your
postings with interest here and on Boards to try and learn from your
experiences!

Cheers

TomB wrote: Just bought a 53 reg T5 panel van, on which the central locking does not work. The key battery needed changing, which I've done, but no joy. Using the key in the driver's door only opens that door, so I have to go round opening each door as needed. I've also checked what I think is the appropriate fuse. I was just after any tips on where I can check wiring etc before I take it in to get sorted by VW. I have taken out all the lining in the rear so everything is pretty accessible. First post on this forum, so thanks in advance for any help! Cheers

Welcome to the brick-yard Tom, lots of good info here.

The problem could be in the van, in the remote, or the van might not recognise your remote (or a combination of the three).

Does your van have two electric buttons on the driver's door to lock/unlock all the doors at once ? (mine are located near the mirror adjustment switches)  If so, do they work properly ?  If they do, then the problem area is most likely on the remote side.  If they don't, then the problem is probably with the van electrics.

Did the remote work when you first got the van ?  Do you have another remote that does work ?  Is it possible that the remote half of the key never worked (eg got damaged and replaced with a wrong model just so it looked OK for sale to you) ? 

Have you tried re-programming the van to recognise the remote (listed in your owner's manual as "Synchronising the remote control key", and also similar procedures listed on the web) ?

Let us know how you get on (and what turned out to be the problem).  Some T5s have had trouble with the tailgate lock, but my sliding door lock actuator sytopped working and was replaced (efficiently and without quibble) by my local VW dealer  ( a little plug for Lennock Motors in Canberra, must remember to praise good work as well as criticize shoddy work)