Central locking by turning key

[mariansmg]

My Cav does have aftermarket central locking which does work, but before I got it installed, I noticed that whenever I lock or unlock the driver/passenger door manually, it doesn't unlock the whole car, just the door, and I have to unlock the rest of the doors separately. From what I know, unlocking the driver or passenger door with the key should act as central locking.

And there's another thing: my Cav has 2 keys: one stock key that only seems to work for starting the car, but doesn't work for unlocking the doors or boot, and another key which seems to be custom made (it doesn't say Opel on it) which is only for unlocking the doors and boot (doesn't have a chip so I can't start the car with it.)

Any ideas?

[James McGrath]

If you have two keys then it is most likely that someone stole or tried to steal it the past and in doing so broke the ignition barrel. This was then replaced with one that uses another key.

[thegriffin]

It's more likely the ignition barrel has been replaced
in the past due to wear.
I have two keys because it was cheaper to buy a lock
and key set with two new keys than to get a barrel
to match my existing key.

[mariansmg]

Yes, maybe. But the thing is, only 1 of my keys is original, the other one is custom-made by a key maker, it doesn't say Opel or Vauxhall on it, nor does it have a chip. I can only start the car with the original key, the grooves on the metal part of the keys are a bit different as well.

[James McGrath]

Yes, maybe. But the thing is, only 1 of my keys is original, the other one is custom-made by a key maker, it doesn't say Opel or Vauxhall on it, nor does it have a chip. I can only start the car with the original key, the grooves on the metal part of the keys are a bit different as well.

Do you have any photos of the two keys?

[mariansmg]

I'll post one as soon as my dad brings the car back later

[mariansmg]

The one on the left is stock, which I can only start the engine with, and the other one is the custom one which I can only use for the doors and boot.

[Hayward691]

Lock set has been replaced...
or ignition barrel...
One or the other...

I would guess if after market central locking has been fitted... It came out the factory without central locking... Depends on year.
iirc not all cavs had it as standard...

[mariansmg]

Model year is 1995, actually it's probably one of the last Cavs ever built. (The car was made in October 1995)

[Hayward691]

Saying that though... As we all have found out. Vauxhall added bits and took bits off as they pleased... you could have 2 GLS of the same year and 1 would have some stuff and the other wouldnt...

Does your after market central locking work ok?

[mariansmg]

Yes, there's only one little problem: the driver's door refuses to lock from the first try, but that's probably because the door is a little dented or maybe because the locking actuator needs replacing

[ilovedmymantas]

My Cav does have aftermarket central locking which does work, but before I got it installed, I noticed that whenever I lock or unlock the driver/passenger door manually, it doesn't unlock the whole car, just the door, and I have to unlock the rest of the doors separately. From what I know, unlocking the driver or passenger door with the key should act as central locking.

You're correct - you have a faulty central-locking module (had two) < £20 on ebay.

And there's another thing: my Cav has 2 keys: one stock key that only seems to work for starting the car, but doesn't work for unlocking the doors or boot, and another key which seems to be custom made (it doesn't say Opel on it) which is only for unlocking the doors and boot (doesn't have a chip so I can't start the car with it.)

Any ideas?

As stated, barrel has been changed. Your original key would be Vauxhall, not opel. Iirc Cavalier keys don't have a chip.
Imo all your problems, re central-locking, point to a faulty central-locking module

[mariansmg]

Your original key would be Vauxhall, not opel.

I live in Europe, not the UK, so the car is called Opel Vectra A, not Vauxhall Cavalier.

[ilovedmymantas]

Apologies, I saw no location & the post says cav. Easy mistake to make

[James McGrath]

Add a location to your profile, lust a country and rough area will do, it will make it easier for people to help you in the future.

I would hazard a guess that it was a dealer fit extra that was retro fitted sometime after the car was first bought.
It's not something from the factory I'm fairly sure.

[Robsey]

The key on the right looks like an original key too.
Just an early style without light or remote.

I have one just like it from a Cavalier mk2 (Ascona C).
From a complete Original Vauxhall lock set.

[planetc]

Sounds feasible that it might have had central locking and the drivers door actuator or switch has a fault. What happens if you lock or unlock from the passenger side?

[mariansmg]

Same thing, it just locks the passenger's door, not all of them.

[planetc]

Ok, probably is aftermarket then. Usually uses 3 wire motors, with no control unit.

[sribobby]

All 95's should have a chip in the key for the immobiliser. The door locks have probably been changed

[sribobby]

If one key opens two doors and the boot then its obviously the ignition barrel that's been changed, for an older one hence no chip in the key