Vacuum door locks and remote entry
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Vacuum door locks and remote entry
Hey guys, I'm figuring on getting an alarm installed tomorrow (Friday) and was interested to know your experiences with hooking up vacuum door locks with a remote entry system? The alarm "pro" I was recommended to(who's supposedly worked on many diff types of cars) said he may be able to "tap into" the vacuum system to get the door locks to work remotely. Is this recommended? 
lol
I dont know that it would necessarily work right away anyways considering the fact that my vacuum door locks aren't working properly at the moment. When I originally bought the car, they didnt. Then when I got the car fixed up and road worthy and drove it often enough, they started working again (The passenger side is supposed to unlock when unlocking the driver's side right?) Lately the passenger side has not been unlocking with the driver's side though, so I dunno. (Maybe a vacuum hose had been reconnected, and has since wiggled itself loose again somewhere? Anyone have any ideas?)
lolI dont know that it would necessarily work right away anyways considering the fact that my vacuum door locks aren't working properly at the moment. When I originally bought the car, they didnt. Then when I got the car fixed up and road worthy and drove it often enough, they started working again (The passenger side is supposed to unlock when unlocking the driver's side right?) Lately the passenger side has not been unlocking with the driver's side though, so I dunno. (Maybe a vacuum hose had been reconnected, and has since wiggled itself loose again somewhere? Anyone have any ideas?)
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,526
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From: SF Bay Area
Be careful with this one. The door locks are controlled by a vacuum switch connected to the drivers door look. THere is a manifold that fails and loses vacuum. Porsche gets more than it is worth for the part. I found the problem with mine by using a Mighty Vac.
On the early 928s the door lock system is purely vaccum. On some cars like the Mercedes with a vacuum system the locks are controlled by a contoller which has an electrical hook up. With the 928 unless you locks are working and the installer can put in a mechanical activator to hook to the remote entry then nothing is going to happen.
On my convertible since the idiot installing the system could not figure out the wiring, he tore the door apart and put in an electric selenoid that mecahnically operated the lock. This is probably the solution for the older cars but was a pure hack on mine.
My advice after seeing more than one messed up wiring job on a 928 is to be very viligent.
On the early 928s the door lock system is purely vaccum. On some cars like the Mercedes with a vacuum system the locks are controlled by a contoller which has an electrical hook up. With the 928 unless you locks are working and the installer can put in a mechanical activator to hook to the remote entry then nothing is going to happen.
On my convertible since the idiot installing the system could not figure out the wiring, he tore the door apart and put in an electric selenoid that mecahnically operated the lock. This is probably the solution for the older cars but was a pure hack on mine.
My advice after seeing more than one messed up wiring job on a 928 is to be very viligent.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Yeah I wound-up NOT getting any door lock mechanism/hook-ups installed...
I'm now looking for any kits to convert the door locks to electric, if anyone knows of any?
BTW the guy that installed my alarm said it would cost about $75 to install 1 mechanism on the driver's side lock and hook it into the alarm/keyless entry. Even if I did that, the vacuum system wouldnt be consistent with the pass-side door and it would be a bigger hassle, not to mention sometime my door locks are a little stubborn and you have to turn the key with some force.
I guess I need to take them out and fix 'em :\ Need to replace a slightly broken driver's side door handle anyway before I get the dreaded "door-handle does nothing" problem many have and I had on my pass-side door when I bought the car. Climbing in from the pass-side to unlock the driver's side door every time you get into your car might look a little funny
I'm now looking for any kits to convert the door locks to electric, if anyone knows of any?
BTW the guy that installed my alarm said it would cost about $75 to install 1 mechanism on the driver's side lock and hook it into the alarm/keyless entry. Even if I did that, the vacuum system wouldnt be consistent with the pass-side door and it would be a bigger hassle, not to mention sometime my door locks are a little stubborn and you have to turn the key with some force.
I guess I need to take them out and fix 'em :\ Need to replace a slightly broken driver's side door handle anyway before I get the dreaded "door-handle does nothing" problem many have and I had on my pass-side door when I bought the car. Climbing in from the pass-side to unlock the driver's side door every time you get into your car might look a little funny
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 297
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas, NV
I recently purchased a $59 keyless/alarm system, with a host of features like interior lights delay, individual door unlock functions, etc; but I wanted it just to provide remote hatch release. A very simple installation - power and ground, and a tap into the 'out' wire from the hatch release switch - and now I can open the back of the car with shopping in my arms. No more blind probing with the key in the shadow of the rear wing!
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Las Vegas
Hey Michael, What system did you use?
I have a Commando Keyless/remote start and it works..eh...OK. I may be looking ofr another. I never hooked up the hatch release though. Was that easy?
BTW..Feb 7th and 8th. Try to get those days off and we will go watch Mark and Joe at the Speedway.
Im planning on being out there for 10-11. We'll see.
I have a Commando Keyless/remote start and it works..eh...OK. I may be looking ofr another. I never hooked up the hatch release though. Was that easy?
BTW..Feb 7th and 8th. Try to get those days off and we will go watch Mark and Joe at the Speedway.
Im planning on being out there for 10-11. We'll see.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 297
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas, NV
Tony,
Once I had the hatch itself working reliably, the remote operation was extremely easy to install. The transmitter, which I have with me, doesn't have a brand name - I'll look up the instructions when I get home, and let you know the manufacturer. It's the single most useful addition I have made to the car - you should have heard me "whoop", the first time I tried it!
The 7th may be difficult because of work, but I would enjoy meeting you on the 8th.
Once I had the hatch itself working reliably, the remote operation was extremely easy to install. The transmitter, which I have with me, doesn't have a brand name - I'll look up the instructions when I get home, and let you know the manufacturer. It's the single most useful addition I have made to the car - you should have heard me "whoop", the first time I tried it!
The 7th may be difficult because of work, but I would enjoy meeting you on the 8th.
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,601
Likes: 39
From: Abbotsford B.C.
I have an 86.5 w/ factory alarm and central locking system, personaly if I had the vacuum operated system I would remove it cap the system off and upgrade to the later electronic system
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California, where the girls are so fine.
When I bought my 79 the vacuum doorlocks did not opererate. I took a look at both sides and found out that one of the previous owners did install electric solenoids in both doors, however the car did not come with a remote. Lucily for me the install was done rather well. All the original parts were left in place. I was able to remove all the electrics and reconnect a few things and make a couple of adjustments. I am able to unlock both doors using the key on the drivers door. thats nice but I must have an adjustment wrong on the passenger side because in order to lock both doors I must lock the drivers side first and then lock the passenger side.
If I decide to keep the car a while longer I will buy a keyless entry system without any off the fancy flashing lights B.S. and just use the system to lock and unlock both doors. I may look into installing a third solenoid to unlock the hatch. That would be nice.
If I decide to keep the car a while longer I will buy a keyless entry system without any off the fancy flashing lights B.S. and just use the system to lock and unlock both doors. I may look into installing a third solenoid to unlock the hatch. That would be nice.
