Can't find any info on '97 T4 central/remote Locking.

[soulspirit]

Hello all,

About two weeks into T4 ownership and loving it. I need central or central/remote locking.

I have been searching these forums for threads containing 'locking' 'central' 'remote' etc. with no luck. I can't find any good info on this topic. I'm sorry to be another blow in asking someone with a better grasp of the forum search or a good memory to point me in the right direction.

I assume that before the last T4 rolled of the production line they were optioned with at least central and even remote locking. If that is the case should I try to hunt down a central locking setup from the wreckers? Should I buy a third party kit from eBay or similar? Are there mounting points for the solenoids/actuators to fit into each door?

Thank you in advance.

-Tom

[Tornado T5]

My last T4 transporter had dealer fitted central locking and immobiliser. I think the brand was Cobra. It was a dec '96 build update with factory immobilser and drivers side airbag, so in effect I had 2 immobilisers. The installer, from memory, didn't have much trouble fitting the solenoids due to the larger doors. I'm not sure if the end of the T4 run came with factory c/locking? What build date is your T4? Someone with greater T4 knowledge will soon pop in. I do remember that the installer used small multi-slotted mounting brackets to bridge across the top and trailing edge within the door frames to mount the solenoids. You would obvioulsy need to make sure a latter generation T4 factory c/locking kit even has mounting points in your van, otherwise it might be faster/less adrama to buy a new set and have some warranty.

[gregozedobe]

If you don't have any joy here you could always have a squiz on the Brickyard T4 forums and see if there is anything there :

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/t4-section_forums_cat11.html

[rob64981]

To retro fit the VW locking is a nightmare.

Lots of people here in the UK fit a locking kit from ebay or an electrical shop called Maplins.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=12303

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-TRANSPORTER-T4-VAN-REMOTE-CENTRAL-LOCKING-KIT-NEW_W0QQitemZ360150221643QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item360150221643&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50#ht_1089wt_1043

You will also need the connector for the sliding door.

It comes in two pieces one for the door and the other fits on the pillar.

Hope this info is of some use.

Rob

[soulspirit]

Rob, You say that its a nightmare - could you please elaborate? I would have thought that since the underdash electrical system is so easy to find, and that the doors are so large, that it would be easy to attach the solenoids and runthe wiring - am I wrong?

Thanks all. I will have a look at those forums gregozedobe.

EDIT - I understand now that you mean the vw locking is a nightmare, but that fitting third party locking isn't so difficult. Thank you.

UPDATE - Just asked the seller of the remote/central kit on eBay whether he posted to Australia.

[Seano]

Jaycar do off the shelf central locking kits that have decent quality actuators....

http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productVie...T&SUBCATID=288 for $35

[soulspirit]

Thank you, but I need to have a system that will work for a vehicle with two doors, one sliding door, and one rear door.

I know where to get them, but I am wondering whether anyone can point me in the direction of any howto's or any guides as to the best way of installing these systems.

Thanks for the information team, keep it coming.

[Seano]

Thank you, but I need to have a system that will work for a vehicle with two doors, one sliding door, and one rear door.

I know where to get them, but I am wondering whether anyone can point me in the direction of any howto's or any guides as to the best way of installing these systems.

Thanks for the information team, keep it coming.

Then get four actuators instead of two......they are all the same. The only extra thing you might need is a sliding door switch and Jaycar does these too.

As to how-to's......frankly the Brickyard is your best option. Retrofitting central locking is a pain in the arse in any car, for example how about this little effort on a 100 series LandCruiser from http://forum.australia4wd.com/blog/e...showentry=423?

"Central locking:
The remote central locking has all been installed at long last!!! I now can push a button and all the doors unlock at once. Its so much easier than trying to reach across the whole 4wd.
I settled on a Dynamco remote central locking kit and paid someone to come out to my work and fit it. I took them 8 hours to install. So if i had to do it, it would have taken my maybe 3 or 4 whole days. So i would rather pay them to fit it.
I have only had 2 issues with it so far.
Issue 1:
I set the alarm when i got home after getting the windows tinted and the alarm wouldnt turn off and couldnt bypass it. They sent out a tech and what had happened was the ignition fuse had blow in the car, which is why the alarm wouldnt let it start. To confusing for me, but the guy said it was a result of the water possibly getting inside the doors and shorting something.
Issue 2:
Went over some corrogated roads the other weekend and the doors kept on locking and unlocking.... I can tell you i wasnt very happy. Anyway, we parked and went for a bit of a walk. When we drove back over the same roads it didnt play up at all. Havent done anything about this yet, im waiting to see if it happens again before i call them to complain.

However, apart from these two issues, im very happy with the central locking kit."

Given the general oddness of the T4 (and its locks) at the best of times then I can only imagine that it might be a bit of an epic.

I mean I've had trouble just getting the door skins off the rear passenger doors in a dual cab......and it's just a sheet of masonite!!!

By the by......I found this jpeg that might help a little
at http://www.rapidelectronics.com.au/p...L-LOCKING.html whwere they do a kit for $60 plus another $20 for the sliding door switch http://www.rapidelectronics.com.au/p...or-Switch.html

[Seano]

http://www.rhinoco.com.au/home

[soulspirit]

After a good read of all of your advice, I have just purchased the Jaycar gear. I'll take some photos as I install it, that will maybe help some other people to do the same to their cars.

Thanks for all you help.

[t4 camper]

Tom,
It might pay to have a squiz inside the back door before you run the wiring.
The back door lock on lift up models has a 90 degree twist and park action on the outside key lock.
Not sure if that will work correctly with the actuator push/pull on the same rod.
The red inside emergency button works directly on the latch, regardless of the lock position.
Still 3 out of 4 is worthwhile.
Neil C

[soulspirit]

Yes, I was wondering about that. The emergency lock probably isn't designed to lock and unlock all the time... I wonder whether there is a work around.

Thank you. You have been extremely helpful. Has anyone had direct experience with fitting these systems?