How to Install Power Locks

How to Install Power Locks

By boostedschemes

Rate: (104 Ratings)

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy Things You’ll Need:

• Power lock conversion kit
• Screwdrivers
• Socket set
• Electrical wire/tape
• Multimeter (optional)
• Drill (optional)
• Automotive relays (optional)

Step1 Disconnect the battery and remove the door panels from your doors to expose the locking mechanisms underneath. Refer to my article on door panel removal if you need help. Once the panel there is usually a cover that looks like a plastic bag or cover hiding the locking mechanism, try to remove it without damaging but it will likely tear, not a big deal.

Step2 You will now need to assemble and mount the actuator. Move the manual lock switch to see which rod needs to be moved in order to unlock/lock the door. Mount the actuator with the provided hardware inside your door, making sure that your window still has room to lift and lower.

Step3 Attach the rod from the actuator to the rod that needs to be moved to lock your door. You may not find the space to mount the rods on a parallel level so you will need to bend the actuator rod to reach it. This is fine, just make sure that it can move back and forth during unlocking without binding on anything.

Step4 Patrick Whitenight's diagram for the wiring. You will now have to wire in the power locks. The wires run through the door using the stock wiring location, if you do not have drill a hole near the elbow that connects your door to the body, add a grommet and run your wires through it. Make sure to wrap the wires in electrical tape or a braided line to protect them. If your kit has wiring directions, follow it. Otherwise use the diagram attached to this step.

A good 12v+ source is any fused connection from the battery. You can tie into a fuse in your underdash fusebox, or attach to the power wire behind your cigarette lighter. Make a good connection, solder if possible and cover with electrical tape. Make sure you find a constant 12v+ that is on even when your keys are not in the ignition, use a voltmeter to test.
Ground to any bare metal in the car, just test to make sure it is well grounded, under a bolt head tends to work well. Both pins on the automotive relays "87a" need to be grounded.
Use a switch or an included transmitter for the pulse ground and you should be good to go.

Step5

Test to make sure your locks and windows work in all the ways you need them to, then reinstall the door panels and enjoy!