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View Full Version : help with aftermarket door lock actuator


Mike Lacher
08-06-2001, 10:19 PM
I got an omega door lock actuator that I plan on using for a home made hood lock.

The plan is the have the actuator push the metal rod, blocking movement of the hood release cable. I know it's not the best way, but better than nothing, and the actuator cost a little over $10.

So, I figure before I actually start work on installing it, i'd play with the thing to see how it works. I've never installed a door lock actuator, so if this is my stupidity, please go easy.

Any way, i read that it was a 2 wire reverse polarity actuator. So, I pop my hood, i take one wire, and touch it to negative on my battery, then breifly tough the other side to positive. I moves out! Great, so I reverse polarity and try to make it retract, it doesn't go it. i moves, and make's noise, but it doesn't pull in all the way.
it's not consistent either. Sometimes it pushes out, sometimes it makes just barely moves. Sometimes, when it moves, it moves again when I remove positive voltage.

Does the thing need some sort of physical resistance (like a door lock), to control it's motion ? Hope not, cause it will be freely moving a metal rod in my install. Or is the touch to battery method just not working, and it should be fine once I go through relays ??

If this is not going to work, what other inexpensive methods are there to do what I am trying to do?

mike

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djSexay
Formula Firehawk #448 of 741
Future IASCA 1-600 Pro Street Competitor

- visit my web site for kickpanels for your 3rd gen f-body -
www.lachernet.com/kickpanels

JBONDOx
08-06-2001, 11:17 PM
return it and bust out some bucks and buy the right piece. something that was designed for the application. are you nuts or ...

how many corners did gm cut making your car?

this car that you have, and spent some money on it while purchasing it must have caught your eye and is suposed to reflect your personality and taste. then you want to go and rig it up.


do you have all this high end stuff on it and kmart seat covers?

how about steel rims with chrome hubcaps?

how about the big neon tube running down the middle of your interior?

pa, yep should of known, ohio is migrating it's ways over to you.

JBONDOx
08-06-2001, 11:18 PM
buy a hood lock

Mike Lacher
08-06-2001, 11:35 PM
Originally posted by JBONDOx:

how many corners did gm cut making your car?



Is this a trick question?
1 - wimpy clutch
2 - pos rear end designed for a 4cyl.
3 - somewhat noisey rear suspension
4 - not exactly the highest quality interior parts

but I would never trade it in for anything, whenever I mash the pedal, i get this big smile on my face I just can't get rid of.

Why did i bail out and take the cheap route? Well 1, I couldn't find any type of electronic hood lock online, only mechanical. 2, when I added up how much I spent on my car already, it's enough to make me cringe. Guess I was ready to cut corners whereever.

So, kmart hubcap bashing aside, what do you recommend, how much does it cost, and where can I buy it ?

PS, I wanted hub caps, but couldn't find any that fit these rims
http://www.lachernet.com/images/hawksig.jpg



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djSexay
Formula Firehawk #448 of 741
Future IASCA 1-600 Pro Street Competitor

- visit my web site for kickpanels for your 3rd gen f-body -
www.lachernet.com/kickpanels

Todd Ramsey
08-07-2001, 12:48 AM
Hey DJ,

I say if you're anywhere even close to JBONDOx's stomping grounds that you let HIM do your hood lock. Pay whatever it costs and challenge him to do something unheard of. He's got skills in this area. Just don't let him put relays in the fuel tank!

Oh, and a door lock actuator (even if it did work right) wouldn't really hold against a really hard "tug" on the hood release latch. If someone wanted into an "F body" GM car, it ain't very hard.

I agree, go with a hood lock, even if it's tough to seek out.

TODD

JBONDOx
08-07-2001, 10:23 PM
well if price wasn't an option, i would go down to where they do the handicaped vehicles, pick up 4 36" linear actuators which colapse to 14" and install them in each corner. or just hinge the front as a vette and motorize it forward with two. otherwise just call code alarm and ask them if they have any hl-1's left. an electric operated hoodlock with a pull latch in case of an emergency.

Mike Lacher
08-07-2001, 11:46 PM
JBONDO,
thank you for slapping me in the face and making me come to my senses. I bought an electronic hood lock from autotoys.com for $70 today.

Now I just need to find the reciept for those fuzzy seat covers so I can return them.

mike

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djSexay
Formula Firehawk #448 of 741
Future IASCA 1-600 Pro Street Competitor

- visit my web site for kickpanels for your 3rd gen f-body -
www.lachernet.com/kickpanels

JBONDOx
08-08-2001, 11:21 PM
anytime, but i think the linear actuators would be nicer. maybe in the future.