Re: [DML] Re: Where is the common electrical leak?

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi K

Have a read of this article, specifically the update from 10/1/01

http://www.dmcnews.com/Techsection/doorlocks.htm

Basically there are two main flaws: the main one being the propensity 
for the relays to weld themselves shut. This is for two reasons - a) 
they are open to the air and prone to sparking (modern sealed relays are 
sealed in an inert gas, or so I'm told) and b) they are switched by a 
falling voltage - ie the timing function of the circuit is to power the 
relays off a capacitor. As it discharges, the relay "sees" a falling 
voltage. This has the effect similar to turning a lightswitch off slowly 
- you get the "buzzing" as the contacts slowly part, which accellerates 
the problem of them welding shut. The second main flaw is with the 
control circuit itself which is badly designed simply by not having 
protection diodes. This same problem is present on the auto tranny 
governor! I use sealed 10A Siemens relays which have silver contacts. 
They cost £1.49 and apparently they've just started selling 30A versions!

Martin
#1458


K Creason wrote:

> There are hundreds or thousands of Delorean running just
> fine with their original lock module.
> Some people have had problems, and there were some problems initially, but
> I've never heard that why it is such a Doomsday event that we will all
> eventually fail. That's my question.
> Of all you high mileagers-- how many of you are using your stock module?