Power Lock install

[lemay.08]

Hello,I just bought a Vibe '08 more than a month ago. I really enjoy driving it. I trade it in with my Mazda3 gt '04. But I didnt take the Power Package for my Vibe... I just realize that I really need the Cruise Control and the Power Locks. It was pretty easy to install the Cruise Control switch. But as for the Power locks, its a little bit... harder. Im from Quebec, Montreal... Do you know a place where I can install it for a reasonable price?

[VibeBear]

I bought this kit http://www.a1electric.com/Merc...=W02C and installed it in my 2009 Vibe. Pretty straight forward install, everything you need is included in the kit. on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being easy) I'd give it a 7

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by VibeBear »I bought this kit http://www.a1electric.com/Merc...=W02C and installed it in my 2009 Vibe. Pretty straight forward install, everything you need is included in the kit. on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being easy) I'd give it a 7x2 I bought this identical kit 5 years ago for my GMC 2500 work van and am extremely pleased with the results. Pro's .... extremely easy to install. Also NO switch required to mount in the door panel. It uses the "cable action" of YOU manually locking or unlocking the door which in turn unlocks ALL doors. This is done ONLY to both of the front actuators. Cons: once all doors are locked, you can't just unlock one of the front doors to get out and do "whatever". You end up unlocking the whole car. In my work van there are several cases where I'd like to "run out and check something" after I drove a bit AND would like to keep the rest of the van locked up BUT can't because when I manually unlock my drivers door, it unlocks the entire van Just a minor drawback! Also on the plus side of things are where they are manufactured .... Switzerland NOT China, Mexico, etc.... I've driven 5 years & counting with these and they are set to automatically lock/unlock with the Viper alarm I put in. This means they get stroked EASILY 10-15 times every day and sometimes on weekends with NO problems whatsoever Finally .. a very good price for the product. Go for it

[lemay.08]

Thanks guys for the quick answer But I'd like to know if the kit that has been suggested is a keyless entry?

[VibeBear]

the kit posted isn't a keyless entry, but they do offer one.http://www.a1electric.com/Merc...-712Toh yeah, since these are only 4 door kits, you will need a 5th actuator for the hatch

[lemay.08]

Wow! Thanks!Is the install manual also included in the kit? And it does fit for the '08 vibe right? Because I didn't know it uses cables...

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by lemay.08 » Because I didn't know it uses cables...Don't let the word "cables" fool you or mislead you. These simply attach to the "rod" (1/8" diameter steel rod that is already connected to your MANUAL lock button/lever on the door panel) by means of an aluminum connector block w/setscrews. Thus when you "move" the rod from a locked/unlocked position (front doors only) you activate ALL locks in the vehicle. No extra lock switch is needed. YES ... instructions are included and are fairly simple to follow. There are numerous remote key FOB's to go with this setup. I went with a high dollar and high security system (Viper 770) due to the $$$ of tools I lug around in my work van. The suggested package by VibeBear is an excellent deal.

[lemay.08]

All right! Im buying the kit. Wish me luck.Btw, how long does it take to install it?

[tpollauf]

GREAT !!! I've never had the door panels off of my Vibe yet BUT to play it safe give yourself an entire day. Hopefully you can do it inside a garage somewhere where you are protected from the elements of the weather and can safely scatter parts all over the place without anybody messing with them. I jokingly say that the hardest part of this job just might be removing the door panels without breaking the panels OR any of the clips. Seek others here on this forum if you need pointers here. Make sure you have one of those "clip remover" type pry tools when grabbing the clips. Also take notes and make yourself a wiring diagram so you can troubleshoot it down the road if problems arise. I think you'll do well on this project. Good luck

[lemay.08]

Im gonna find a thread on this forum on how to remove the door panel.Ive contacted a guy from A1 and he said that the additional actuator Ive pick might probably not be the good one for my hatch. Do you guys know what actuator should I buy?

[lemay.08]

Nevermind that I've bought the actuator for the rear door to put in my back hatch.Depending on the weather back here in Canada, I might get starting on my project next week Thanks guys for your support! I really appreciate it.

[Empire1300]

I'm considering doing this too, especially because the kit is only $150. Please keep me posted on your install!

[lemay.08]

No problem! Right now I'm trying to find some schematics on the wiring because I don't think that the base model is pre-wired. The front doors will be easy to access for the wires but the rear doors and the hatch might be a little bit tricky...

[VibeBear]

I have a base model as well, don't remember there being any factory wiring... I drilled holes in the connectors at the door pillars & ran the wires from the kit, through them.there is a connector in the fuse panel that you can get power from.

[lemay.08]

I didn't know I had to drill some holes... I thought that all I need to do was to pass the wires through the holes that was already there for the speakers. I don't like the idea about drilling some holes into the car because it might get rust. There is one thing I'm still wondering... Where do I pass the wires for the rear doors and for the hatch? Under the carpet? Behind the plastic wall?

[VibeBear]

well I'm not 100% sure about the 2008 cars but there's a 2"molex style connector in the door jam that you need to go through to get the wires into the door. It had tiny little holes in it for the factory wiring, but none of these are big enough for the aftermarket wiring. You'll need to enlarge one or 2 of these holes to get the wires through. No worries about drilling through the metal, you shouldn't need to. I ran the wires for the rear door under the door sills/carpet. For the rear doors you'll need to take out the B-Pillar plastic & run it up. For the hatch you'll need to run it to the back of the car, up behind the plastic on the drivers side & then up the headliner to the grommet for the 3rd brake light/rear wiper wires

[lemay.08]

All right. I will try that. Thanks VibeBear I'm still waiting for my kit. It has already been 6 business days now. The package should probably arrive this Thursday or Friday... I hope so because it's already starting to freeze outside. So working on my car when it's cold may be a pain in the @ss. Vive le Canada!

[lemay.08]

HELP!! I've received the kit from A1 and began my project earlier this afternoon. Primo, I didn't know where to put the bracket for the actuator so I drilled some holes into the door. But as for the wires that I received from A1, I don't understand where it goes, which one is for the rear actuators and which one is for the front actuator... Also, there are three female plugs for the front actuators... what is the function for each of the cables. The instructions that A1 has provided are not clear enough and too vague to understand.Help me!! I don't know what to do... Can you give me some pointers on what to do please?Thank you.

[tpollauf]

Help is on the way. Send me some pics and info and a contact e-mail address and I'll show you how mine went into my service van. My e-mail address is listed here on GenVibe. I'll forward SEVERAL pics of what I did with the identical kit and hopefully it will clear up some confusion.

[lemay.08]

Yeah!! I'm not alone My email address is 'lemay.phan@gmail.com'. Although, I tried to find a way to make my email address public... without any success.Well, as for my... many problems: Primo, I don't know where to put the actuator in the door. It seems that there aren't enough space for it. I drilled 2 holes in the door because I don't see any other holes for it... I wonder where does Toyota put their door actuators in their cars with the power package.Secundo, I don't understand the cables. A1 just sent me a bunch of cables and wires without any clear instructions. Do I have to weld or plug something like a wire into a connector? If so, where's the connectors? Anyway, I've mentioned some of my problems in my last post.If you can send me some pics on how you did it and some pointers, it will help me a lot!!Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it

[tpollauf]

Just sent you an e-mail directly. We'll correspond there & Here until this project is complete. I'm a bit lost as to your terminology as far as "cables" go. This kit should have NO cables at all. A cable can only PULL on something, not PUSH. The four actuators will do both which is why there should be stiff rods sent with them and NOT cables. Clarify here or send me pics as I requested in the e-mail

[lemay.08]

I've reply to your e-mail. I forgot to tell you that I live in downtown Montreal so my place is the top floor of an apartment. To work on my car, I have to go to my parents house in the suburb of Montreal. So let say that I cannot take my door panels off to take pictures. But, I'm doing my best to give you all the infos that you need.

[lemay.08]

Once my project is done, I will post all the instructions on how to install the power doors.

[lemay.08]

Yesterday, I've sent all day long trying to figure where to install my actuators for the front doors... without success... There isn't enough space... Anyway, I forfeit... I'm going to make an appointment at Best Buy and let them install it for me. It's going to cost me approximately $500.

[VibeBear]

If you want I can take some pics of my lock install tomorrow to give you some ideas. IF you really want to take it in and get it done, I'd take it to an independent shop over Best Buy or Future Shop.

[lemay.08]

It would be helpful if you can give me some pointers. Let say that I would really like save a few hundreds bucks I've ask many independent shop and few of them wanted to mess around with the electric system. Let alone the power lock. Best Buy was the only one willing to do it...

[lemay.08]

You have the second generation Vibe... Isn't that a different from the 1st generation? The space in the inner doors are really small...

[lemay.08]

I got my power locks installed today at Best Buy. They did it pretty fast. It took them exactly 4 hours. The hard part for them was to figure about the wires. It cost me $460 CAD. I've order the actuator for the back hatch and it cost me $50. They will install it for me this Friday.I've tested the power lock. It's really awesome. I have the panic button, tje light and horn alert. But I wonder... what is the range of the remote control? 500 ft? Also, Best Buy told me that my back hatch is already pre-wired. So they won't have any trouble installing the actuator. Cool! Anyway, thanks for your support guys! I really appreciate it