Remote Locking Range

[neil]

:P I have a 97 TDI with infra red remote locking, the range of this is terrible. Is it possible to improve the existing equipment or can it be easily / cheaply changed to the newer 'radio frequency' type

[ridway]

Your car will have two wires somewhere in the central locking system. If one of these is pulsed with 12v it will lock the doors and the other when pulsed will unlock them. This is the hardest part - finding which is which, a good auto electrician would be useful. If you've some electrical knowledge and a multimeter you may be able to identify the wires yourself, maybe around the IR receiver, be careful however you don't earth any supply wires when trying.

 

Once you're sure you've correctly identified these Central locking/unlocking signal wires the job becomes quite easy. You will need at least one two channel transmitter fob ( the bit you attach to your key ring ) and a two channel receiver unit. The receiver unit which comes with a diagram has two volts free relay contacts. You can utilise these contacts to pulse the door signal wires, one channel for locking and one for unlocking.

 

There is a firm in Guilford that can supply these fobs and receivers at a reasonable cost they are Crown Axxess. They specialise in automated gates and vehicle barriers but stock these fobs and receivers which are ideal for what you want to do and they are suprisingly cheap. My Webpage 01483 450011. You could get all you need for less than

[Guest sgould]

Why do you want long range? if you push the button at long range, the scrotes in our car park can open a door and steal the contents and run off while you are running the last 20 metres to stop them - and their mates are behind you to steal the shopping you drop before you do the run :P

 

I have a long range radio remote on my "other" car. I have managed to open my car in the street when the keys/money in my pocket pressed the button as I sat down indoors to watch TV :)