Adding Central Locking

AirCooledExcellence · AirCooledExcellence's Garage

Hi Guys,

I saw this:

Central Locking Kit

Do you think it might work with my '83 SC? Has anyone sucessfully added a 3rd party central locking system?

Cheers,

Tim.
____________
1983 SC Targa

clnilsen · clnilsen's Garage

Well, yes and no. Yes, it could work and has been done.

The big problem on the SC's is running the wire though to the door. This is really difficult to do, and basically requires removal of the door off the frame.

Good luck, though!

Chuck
1980 SC

RoninLB · 12-06-2002, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AirCooledExcellence
Hi Guys,

Do you think it might work with my '83 SC? Has anyone sucessfully added a 3rd party central locking system?

Cheers,

Tim.
____________
1983 SC Targa

What's a 3rd party lock system?? I did power locks to both doors triggered by a Viper alarm system beeper.. it's a PIA install, uncomplicated, and very cool in a '77.. I would suggest that you make sure you really want it..........Ron

AirCooledExcellence · AirCooledExcellence's Garage

Ron,

For 3rd party read 'Non-Porsche'

Sounds like it isn't going to be straightforward!

Cheers,

Tim.
____________
1983 SC Targa

dickster · 12-06-2002, 05:50 AM

tim,

go for it!

i bought a kit to do possibly over a year ago, and can't bring myself to start it - door panel's been off passenger side for a few weeks now

i could use some inspiration

jeff91C2T · 12-06-2002, 06:06 AM

I did this to my 76 911S. I thought it was pretty straight forward, took about half a day of fooling around.

I can't remember how I routed the wires though. Couldn't have been too bad since I only remember the things that "suck" when I work on the car. The hardest part was taping into the structure to mount the servos to actuate the locks.

targa911man · targa911man's Garage

I have stock central locking which doesn't work, and whatever's wrong with it it won't let me lock or unlock the driver's door from the outside. So whenever I need to lock the car, I've got to lock the driver's door from the inside and then the passenger door. I've tried to diagnose it with no luck. It is probably a bad microswitch, which means disassembling the door to get the outside handle off. It is a little incovenient the way it is but 2 Saturdays is more than enough time down the drain trying to correct it. I say all the foregoing as a warning. Once you get an aftermarket central locking installed, it may not work forever, and if someting goes wrong it is probably going to be a real hassle to fix. Like Ron says, make sure you really want it.

ohecht · 12-06-2002, 06:56 AM

That looks like the SPAL kit I installed on my 82 SC a year ago. I think I got it from Performance Products during a sale for about $80. Worth every penny to allow me to walk up to the car and just get inside.

I love it, and the kit was very well designed and has worked almost flawlessly. I hooked it into my Alpine alarm to get keyless entry.

The hardest part was definitely running wires into the doors. I did it after almost breaking my hands in the door hinges (911 doors open in a very unusual way, "into" the body) The only part I couldn't get back in was the grommet which was too tight a fit and impossible to reach.

Another surprise was once I put the top trim panels back on (after checking all the functions repeatedly, they suddenly would not work correctly). The issue was that the actual lock knob (by the window) had enough drag going through the surpisingly tight grommet at the top of the door to cause the safety-reverse mechanism built into the servos to reverse their action. I solved it by finding some lock knobs that looked similar but were slim enough to move up and down without any resistance at NAPA.

There have even been a few days recently when I have had to lube these up to avoid the same problem (I think temperature can shrink the grommet)

Olivier

ohecht · 12-06-2002, 06:58 AM

Dan,

I am not sure (I have only been in a Carrera a few times), but I thought that the factory central locking system was only designed to lock the doors from the inside once all the doors are closed. I'm sure someone with a Carrera can confirm or deny this. That along with the bright red locked light in the console makes me like the aftermarket solution better than how I saw my friend's stock system work. He hated the bright red light when driving.

Olivier

dickster · 12-06-2002, 07:51 AM

Olivier,

thats the kit i've got.

how/where did you mount the servos?

i have looked and it appears the best place is the oe spot in the bottom corner under the ext. door handle?

thanks.

Siena911 · 12-06-2002, 07:57 AM

Tim,

Well spotted, I have been considering something like this for a while.

As to the running the wire to the door, that's not a problem, I used a coathanger bent into a tiny hook at the end and pulled the wires through that way, it is a little tricky but I did'nt sweat big time. I did this when running new speaker wires through to the doors.

Jakes

I think I'm going to do this now....

agabriel · 12-06-2002, 08:56 AM

Olivier,
I have a carrera and I can lock the doors from my side (outside w\ lock) before my girlfriend closes the door.

Anthony

RoninLB · 12-06-2002, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dickster

how/where did you mount the servos?

i have looked and it appears the best place is the oe spot in the bottom corner under the ext. door handle?

thanks.

I started w/ the Performance kit.. but didn't like the servo style/to big. I bought stock servos, but they are available cheaper aftermarket/3rd party, do a search. and installed in stock location. some stock connectors to the door handle inside mechanism are made of plastic which is a weak spot. I drilled mine out and used a nut and bolt.. it was worth the BS to me.. and I installed triggered sol. and wires to be able to do a quick trouble shoot and repair.............Ron

RoninLB · 12-06-2002, 10:42 AM

I should have added that the 3rd party door lock beeper system, solenoids and wiring was used in my system.. I think the kit cost $125 ........Ron

targa911man · targa911man's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by ohecht
Dan,

I am not sure (I have only been in a Carrera a few times), but I thought that the factory central locking system was only designed to lock the doors from the inside once all the doors are closed.

You're correct, Olivier, the red button is there to lock the doors from the inside. My Carrera also is supposed to lock automatically with the key, and the systems are interrelated. But my main point is that central and/or automatic locking may not be worth the hassle of installation and possible repair.

RoninLB · 12-06-2002, 12:31 PM

You're correct, Olivier, the red button is there to lock the doors from the inside. My Carrera also is supposed to lock automatically with the key, and the systems are interrelated. But my main point is that central and/or automatic locking may not be worth the hassle of installation and possible repair. [/QUOTE]

the stock system costs big bucks new for an upgrade.......Ron

ohecht · 12-06-2002, 01:20 PM

Dickster,

If I remember correctly, I mounted the servos in a horizontal location to the rod between the interior lock knob and the latch at the door jamb.

I think I ended up folding the supplied metal bracket over on itself to make a 90 degree bend (like folding the first corner of a paper airplane), since it would not span the opening in the sheet metal in a horizontal position. So, the bracket ended up going from the side of the large opening to the bottom.

I do remember it ending up very securely mounted to the door, though. I also added loctite to the set screws that clamp onto the OEM locking rods, since the system will not work if they ever work loose. Using a small drill bit to put a divot or recess in the rod for it to screw into would be even more secure if you're worried.

Also be careful that the servo is at the right depth for the door cover to go back on, it is easy to forget where the cover sits when everything is open.

Once mounted, you adjust the position of the rod in the servo clamp so the microswitch that activates the other door lock is right in the middle of the travel. I think mine worked correctly on the first setting I tried (very easy).

I was very impressed with the power of the servos, they give a very powerful and fast "throw" of the locks. Until I tried it the first time, I was worried it may have been like one of those old Audi or MB locks that makes a whirring noise and slowly moves the actuators. These give a nice, authoritative, and very fast "clunk" as the locks engage, which compliments the solid sound of the Porsche door closing nicely.

Olivier

911boost · 911boost's Garage

i also have the stock system in my Carrera and the light is annoying. The doors lock automatically after I start the car and unlock when I turn the ignition off. I have a third party alarm from viper that has keyless and its real nice. Except I had to cut the wire that goes to the horn ( I added in a littel connection thingy, I think that is the technical term, smile) so I can connect and disccont the alram for when I am working on it. I have the connection hidden pretty well, so I am not too worried about someone just disconnecting it...Its super sensitive and just by bumping the car it sets it off. Not to fun when laying under the car in a closed garage if you know what I mean.

Bill

RoninLB · 12-06-2002, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BSiple
i Except I had to cut the wire that goes to the horn ( I added in a littel connection thingy, I think that is the technical term, smile) so I can connect and disccont the alram for when I am working on it. I have the connection hidden pretty well, so I am not too worried about someone just disconnecting it...Its super sensitive and just by bumping the car it sets it off. Not to fun when laying under the car in a closed garage if you know what I mean.

Bill

The Viper alarm has options you can select. as far as the locks activating when key is removed.. and the alarm black box/brain has a limited output. so I connected the brain to trigger a sol. that is hooked up to a hidden compressor for horn and electronic siren. this sucker screams, not like the routine car alarm.. and if there was more room a fire truck air horn would be installed.. I tried to fit the big mother. can't win them all. the 911 somehow becomes a personalized machine...............Ron

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I found the brain one day, but did not mess with it too much. My wife gets super pi$$ed when the alarm goes off in the garage. Its a cab, so I am not sure how it is set up, but if the german shepard hits the car with his tail while wagging it, the alram even goes off then.....