Central locking

[Ranga]

Was in superrepcobarn the other day, and noticed central locking kits for $29.

I've been thinking about fitting CL to the Defender for a while. It's a PITA reaching all the way over to the back passenger seat to let the wife put the boy in the back!

It will also be a good opportunity to check out the interior of the doors for rust etc.

Anyone know if these are reliable enough, and worth bothering with?

[JDNSW]

I fitted them (or similar) to my 110 about fifteen years ago. Fitting to a Defender (or a 110 with the pushbutton doors) would be a bit easier I think, as they use more conventional locks. It is quite a bit of work, but there is nothing really difficult about any of it.

The actual system has proved to be totally reliable except that the wires are prone to breakage where they are bent with the opening of the doors (particularly the driver's door as it gets opened most frequently on most cars). If possible arrange for the wires to twist rather than bend. Expect to have to use some ingenuity in routing the wires. Broken wires, particularly intermittent breaks, can give the strangest symptoms. Thinking ahead, make sure the supply fuse for the controller can be accessed easily to disable the system in the case of a fault.

I have added an actuator for the back door, this needs a bit more ingenuity, and I posted a picture of this in a thread about central locking in a County a day or so ago. I think the Defender rear door lock is pretty much the same.

John

[VladTepes]

What did you decide ranga?

[Ranga]

What did you decide ranga?

You know me better than that - no decision yet

I recckon I might give it a go though, cheap enough outlay, but not sure about the frustration in labour.

[86mud]

Range

I put a central locking kit in my Range Rover many years ago. I got all the bots from Jaycar.

4 Door Power Lock Kit - Jaycar Electronics

Is was fidly to fit and the only issue was heat from the sun would effect the operation of the actuators. The heat would make the shaft of the actuator soft and it would bend rather than push straight.

I have contemplate installing it in the defender as well - I have the same problem trying to reach across and unlock the back door for the kids...

It is on the list of jobs to do...

Cheers
Andrew