MG CAR OWNERS FORUM

Hi there,
My 1999 SL320 may have a malfunctioning infrared sensor for the driver's door, so I'm looking into it. I have included images of the door wiring's pins and receiving connector. Keep in mind that there are five pins on the male end of the connector and three copper receivers on the female end.
Is it correct to use five pins and five copper sockets? After years of doors closing, have two of them fallen inward?
It makes sense, but does anyone have any confirmation? If this requires fixing, I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me.
If that doesn't work, I'll explain the problem in great detail, which may either bore or fascinate you. However, this is the condensed version: The driver's door window index occasionally works, but the key fob does not unlock or lock the vehicle. As a result, the immobiliser remains activated, and the vehicle will not start.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this.

I thought all 1999 cars had RF locking, not IR. Could you tell me the shape of your key?

The IR (rectangular "flip" key) was available on my 1997, but the only receiver was located beneath the rearview mirror. It seems that they were only found in older vehicles' doors.

Yes, IR. I have the standard fare—a red LED flip key, buttons to lock and unlock the vehicle, and a sensor for the door handles—but the rearview mirror is missing. You have my gratitude for responding.

From what I can gather, vehicles that came after mine (during the 1998 facelift?) adopted radio frequency (RF) central locking while keeping infrared (IR) for remote window control. (You could hold down the lock/unlock button to open or close the windows on my flip)

Using a digital camera, check to see if the infrared emitter on your key lights up when you briefly press the lock or unlock buttons.

However, I'm hoping that someone with more knowledge about later cars will step in!

I don't know how many pins are in the connector, but my '98 has an IR sensor built into the door handle—I assume it's just for the locks and opens feature. If my memory serves me correctly, the key-from-afar receiver is located in the trunk, just above the gas filler hose. If this amplifier has blown, you can find the corresponding fuse in the trunk's fuse box, labelled either ATA or ATR.
Is there an aftermarket alarm for your vehicle?

Both of my fobs are operational. The results of the camera test came back positive. Yours faithfully.

As far as I am aware, the immobiliser can be armed or disarmed using the open/close feature. The fuses in the boot and everywhere else are all fine. Two fuses—one on the pneumatic pump—were good after I removed, examined, and reconnected them. The discrepancy between the pins and sockets got me excited, even though I know I should get the codes read.
Apologies for the feedback.