(7/18/01): I finally got around to installing some power locks in
my bug... I already have an alarm, and I thought keyless entry would be
'neat-o'! I *almost* decided to get the autolock units, but then I decided
that they were more than what I wanted to spend. PLUS I really had NO USE
for the central locking feature, as my alarm would be controlling the locks
anyway! I decided to go for some relatively 'cheapies' from Parts
Express. They are Omega DS-2SQ Door Lock Actuators. They were
only about $11 each! They came with some mounting hardware which was
perfect for a beetle's door. The ONLY think that I had to fabricate was a
couple LONGER lock rods -- No biggie!
This is everything you get with ONE door lock actuator. The rod that
came in the kit was just a few inches too short!
This is how I decided to install it. Just two small sheetmetal
screw-holes in the door.
This is what one of my custom made lockrods looks like. I just bought
some rod stock from the hardware store (was only a couple bucks) cut it to size,
and bent it to fit perfectly inside the door.
This
new lockrod DOES NOT REPLACE the original lockrod! So the plunger works
ALSO! I used the nifty 'coupler' that came in the lock kit -- it fastens
to the original lockrod, and then the lockrod from the power solenoid connects
to it; this way you can operate the locks with the plunger AND/OR with the
alarm.
There's nothin' much too it really... The wiring was the hardest part!
I do recommend that you take a little bit of time to clean up the lock
mechanism; it NEEDS to be nice 'n smooth (and not too stiff; you don't want to
fry you solenoid). If you are using an alarm system, I also recommend that
you figure out how to PROPERLY set up the power pulses to lock/unlock the doors
(if you set them for too long it can burn up the solenoids). So Power locks CAN be installed in a 27+ year-old Aircooled VW :-)
