How to Convert Car Door Locks to Power Locks

power lock inside a car door
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Power lock kit
Pliers
Wire cutters
Door handle removal wrench
Sockets
Allen key
Crimps
Tape measure
Wrenches
Drill
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Power lock kit
Pliers
Wire cutters
Door handle removal wrench
Sockets
Allen key
Crimps
Tape measure
Wrenches
Drill

Although it is very rare these days to buy a car with manual car door locks, you may have a used car that you want to convert to power locks. While you may have a little respect for the simplicity of the manual car door locks, they are no competition for their more sophisticated cousin, the power lock. Fortunately, you can buy kits which will allow you to change your manual lock into a power lock in only a few hours. This is done easily enough, and you should be able to manage it without any kind of problem, so long as you follow a few basic guidelines and the instructions in the door lock kit.

Step 1 - Take off the Door Handle

You will have to remove the accessories from the inside of the door, such as the internal door handle, and the window crank. You will probably need a specialized tool for this. You could find this kind of tool at your local car shop. Check your car manual before buying this tool, as you may be able to lever it off with a screwdriver. Once you have these pieces off, you should then take off the door panel using your special tool. Place the panel to one side.

Step 2 - Take Off the Manual Locks

car fob

With your screwdriver, remove the manual lock from its position. You may need to remove parts of the inside of the door in order to get to the lock, but you should be able to remove it with simple unscrewing. Take out the manual lock, and then look at the mounting pads for your actuator. Using your pliers, bend your lock rod from the kit, and make this so that it runs along the same line as the factory lock connection. You can then fit the manual lock back into the door, synchronizing the actuator and the lock rod. Connect the lock connector from your kit to the actuator. Make sure that everything is fastened into place.

Step 3 - Install the Locking Module

You need to wire the central locking module to a hot circuit (this is the one which is constantly running power) such as the dashboard. Screw the module into position in the location. Use your pliers to connect the module to the circuit, and then place the wiring below the carpet until it reaches the door jamb. Connect each lock (one for each door) to the wires, and then plug these into the locking module. When you press the key, you should automatically turn the locks. Keep repeating the test until you have the wiring correct for this item.