I need as much info as possible.

Firstly, has anyone on these boards done it? How hard, what did the process involve, what parts/brands did you use, did you or a company install it, what modifications did you need to make to the door, is it reliable, etc?

Any info would be appreciated.

I haven't done it on a Beetle yet, but I have done it on a kombi. It wasn't too difficult, but it was fiddly. I used a kit from Jaycar (available over the net or from Jaycar or Tandy) and installed it myself. It came with everything needed, except in the kombi I had to lengthen the supplied wiring loom. I would not suggest that the Jaycar is the best kit to use, as the actuators don't like the resistance of 28 year old locks - modern cars have a much lighter locking mechanism. I would suggest you either buy a better brand, or be prepared to fiddle with it to ensure that everything works perfectly. (I had to set up the locking rod geometry to eliminate flex in the lock rods, otherwise I lost too much pushing force and the actuators would not function correctly)

Good luck!!

.....is that when you put your arm out and unlock / lock the passenger door?:P

Squiz.....

Col, you should remove your locks and soak them in degreaser, then pack as much grease as possible in them. Mine froze in recent rain so I give them a bit of a service. Now there is no resistance at all at the key.

Col give your locks a birthday and clean them up ,:birthday

the type of kit colin is talking about can be set up to remote control by being attached to the kit through an accessory or alarm system.

can you tell us now how you fitted the sliding and rear door locks colin?

Ihave fitted central locking/keyless entry to a late model type 3 using a Tandy kit. Doors should be much the same on your beetle (asuming it is the late model in your pic). Buy a kit, look at the instructions and with a little bit of fabrication (brackets etc) you should be able to get it to work. Anyone installed central locking on an early beetle?

I got a fancy alarm with modules to wind up my electric windows and everything, but I haven't been able to get the central locking solenoids working yet. Like Col said, the plastic actuator rods buckle when pushing and don't move the stiff vw locks.

I tried lubing my locks but it didn't help.

I eventually figure that new locks are low force, large distance type locks. but vw's are larger force short distance (ie the vw lock only moves half of the solenoid travel).

So my solution will be a leverage mechanism to get some more leverage on the locks. just gotta get time to do it.

I've fitted remote central locking to a beetle before, it was a 69 beetle so it had the door lock buttons, I used an alarm system from Jaycar, and used the solenoids from a Black Widow alarm system because they were lying around. They had metal rods so had no probs activating the locks. It was kind of noisy when locking and unlocking though as there was a real loud clunk when the solenoids worked. Nothing wrong with them just that they operated with quite a lot of force.
Never locked my keys in the car again after fitting central locking though.......

"can you tell us now how you fitted the sliding and rear door locks colin?"

I think col is still working on the sliding / rear door bit but I do know that when he has it perfected we're going to be treated to tech "how to" doc.

I for one can't wait !!:thumb

Graphite power is great for lubricating locks.

:thumb