[ZBall]

I've only had my Benz for about a month and I'm not sure how the drivers door lock is supposed to work. If i'm inside I can press down on the drivers lock and all the locks will lock, but when I get out of the car I can't push the button down while its open. So I always have to lock the doors with the key. Is that how it works? or do I have a problem?

 

[ZBall]

Its a 1991 190E 2.3L and I didn't get a manual with the car unfortunately. Thanks for the links but the manuals only go back to 2001 as far as I can tell.

 

[jzchen]

It will not lock while the door is open. Normal. ?

 

[ZBall]

It will not lock while the door is open. Normal. ?

Oh... well then thanks. I'm a little disappointed but that's life.

 

[raymond-]

haha...on lunch break. i'm in the wrong forum. {snort} heading back over to w210 now.

 

[ZBall]

Hmm... does anyone know if its possible to change that feature? One of the door switches must be hooked up to the lock so it knows if the door is open or not. Maybe cutting the right wire would allow the lock to be pushed/locked anytime. :eek
I know I'd rather be able to lock it without the key and will save wear on the lock cylinder too.

 

[dolucasi]

Hmm... does anyone know if its possible to change that feature? One of the door switches must be hooked up to the lock so it knows if the door is open or not. Maybe cutting the right wire would allow the lock to be pushed/locked anytime. :eek
I know I'd rather be able to lock it without the key and will save wear on the lock cylinder too.

Just want to make sure I'm following this. You would like to modify the design just to prolong the expected life of the driver side of the central locking system? Why are you fixated on that? That is a rare failure and if it ever does go bad you can just replace the tumbler and the keys from a donated car. Don't mean to discourage you but you will spend 1000's of dollars on other little things that actually do go wrong with an older Mercedes.

Example: My car is 28 years old and if I add all the repairs and maintenance items from day one, I probably spent >$20K in the last 28 years. Needless to say all my door locks are original.

 

[brodi3]

.....and you'll be cursing the day you lock your keys in the car!

 

[jzchen]

The system is pulsed vacuum, not like the older ones where the lines were always under vacuum and the elements would fail often. I have not had to replace a single vacuum element in the lock system since owning it from 1993, probably because of this. Mine has an alarm with remote unlock/lock. May help you.

 

[ZBall]

Just want to make sure I'm following this. You would like to modify the design just to prolong the expected life of the driver side of the central locking system? Why are you fixated on that? That is a rare failure and if it ever does go bad you can just replace the tumbler and the keys from a donated car. Don't mean to discourage you but you will spend 1000's of dollars on other little things that actually do go wrong with an older Mercedes.

Example: My car is 28 years old and if I add all the repairs and maintenance items from day one, I probably spent >$20K in the last 28 years. Needless to say all my door locks are original.

WTF! Why are you fixating on one part of a sentence, that was tongue in cheek actually.Was it just to make some kind of insulting and negative comment like that? The reason I want to do this is so I can lock it by pressing the button. I can keep track of my keys or keep a hideakey whatever. Im not afraid of making modifications if I want to either. So... if you don't have something helpful to say, move on to the next post and spare me.:|

 

[jzchen]

.....and you'll be cursing the day you lock your keys in the car!

When my alternator went out the car stalled. I cruised to a stop and parked on the side of the road. I got out, and as soon as I closed the door the alarm locked the car and my key was inside! Funny you mention this!!!!

 

[jzchen]

Hmm... does anyone know if its possible to change that feature? One of the door switches must be hooked up to the lock so it knows if the door is open or not. Maybe cutting the right wire would allow the lock to be pushed/locked anytime. :eek

I know I'd rather be able to lock it without the key and will save wear on the lock cylinder too.

The locking mechanism is one whole piece. (I honestly haven't seen it because it hasn't failed). I'm guessing from experience with the older style on the '85 which I've had to work on that you'd have to open it, which might actually break it. The old one on the '85 is the exact same. With the door open you can not get the door to lock, with the pin and I'm guessing the key would not turn. Both of mine have a remote lock/unlock implemented and they will make a noise trying while the door is open or accidentally left ajar, but remain unlocked.

 

[dolucasi]

WTF! Why are you fixating on one part of a sentence, that was tongue in cheek actually.Was it just to make some kind of insulting and negative comment like that? The reason I want to do this is so I can lock it by pressing the button. I can keep track of my keys or keep a hideakey whatever. Im not afraid of making modifications if I want to either. So... if you don't have something helpful to say, move on to the next post and spare me.:|

Not even a month in and already spaying four letter words, not a good start.
The members tend to steer away from that.

Myself and others were merely discouraging you not to go forward with your project.
Though others have already commented on the insanity, perhaps someone else can help you.

Cheers!

 

[partnumber187]

Keyless entry is a nice, cheap, easy-to-install convenience feature that might quell the frustration and will also preserve the lock cylinders and all but guarantees you won't lock the keys inside the car.

 

[ZBall]

I like the idea of the keyless remote guys, I'll look into it. See dolucasi, why didn't you come up with a suggestion like that? Or is it "insanity" to install something not designed by the manufacturer?

 

[dolucasi]

I like the idea of the keyless remote guys, I'll look into it. See dolucasi, why didn't you come up with a suggestion like that? Or is it "insanity" to install something not designed by the manufacturer?

Well, that would be adding a feature instead of taking away one. I would certainly not call that one insanity though I would not do it myself. I'm too much of a purist.

We're all good ZBall.....

 

[partnumber187]

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here...


This the unit I have. Does what it's supposed to do, and the range is decent. Installation instructions can be found here on the board. Only takes about half hour and requires just a few t-taps and a spade connector IIRC.

Universal Car Remote Control Central Door Lock Locking Keyless Entry System | eBay

 

[dolucasi]

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here...


This the unit I have. Does what it's supposed to do, and the range is decent. Installation instructions can be found here on the board. Only takes about half hour and requires just a few t-taps and a spade connector IIRC.

Universal Car Remote Control Central Door Lock Locking Keyless Entry System | eBay

Hmmmm. Partnumber187, that does look more like an add on and not an "alteration". Where does the box go?

 

[partnumber187]

Hmmmm. Partnumber187, that does look more like an add on and not an "alteration". Where does the box go?

All connections are done at the vacuum pump under the rear seat-passenger side. The box is probably smaller than you think it is, about the size of a pack of cigarettes, so it fits there in the underseat cavity by the pump. I just tucked it in under the foam.

If it gives the purist in you a dirty feeling, you can always remove it.

edit: Still had the install thread bookmarked: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w201-190-class/1354569-installed-keyless-entry.html

 

[dolucasi]

All connections are done at the vacuum pump under the rear seat-passenger side. The box is probably smaller than you think it is, about the size of a pack of cigarettes, so it fits there in the underseat cavity by the pump. I just tucked it in under the foam.

If it gives the purist in you a dirty feeling, you can always remove it.

edit: Still had the install thread bookmarked: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w201-190-class/1354569-installed-keyless-entry.html

This seems to pass the purist test. The old locks will still work with the keys, correct? Also the last post you mentioned the turn signal tapping. That seems to be near impossible for the fronts. Does it just operate the rear blinkers? Seems those would be easier to tap into under the seat. Were you successful in that?

The extra appeal for me would be that I would not have to carry the door key because now I have 2 keys (ignition had to be replaced at some point)

I still have to check if my wiring is a little different because I have a rare, pump operated driver side lumber support in mine.

Thanks for the link, very helpful.