I'm thinking of installing a 4 door remote unlock kit off eBay.. one around $30.
Anyone tried these? Or should i seek a brand/local sale?
Would be painful to install something that craps itself soon after!
DIY Car Remote Central Unlocking Kit off eBay Any Good or??
FirstNameLastName on 26/11/2017 - 10:26
Last edited 26/11/2017 - 11:09 by 1 other user
Last edited 26/11/2017 - 11:09 by 1 other user
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I have done this a couple times. Just checking if you are installing central locking or there is already electronic locking installed you are just wirelessly connecting it up to the box to remote unlock?
Bought a unit from a local seller off ebay. Worked fine for a couple weeks and then broke, they sent me a replacement and that broke soon after install too. Then just bought a cheaper unit from china which has worked fine since. Great cheap way to install central locking. Installed into the door panel where an unlock/lock button already sits and it works great. Just my CRV had some complex wiring though so was a lot easier when i had a voltmeter to test the wires and connections.
Thanks for the comments.
The car (toyota echo 2003) did come standard with central/remote unlock..
Unfortunately it had no fob when i bought it.. and i think toyota want $400 or something to replace it.There was central locking but it seems to have stopped working.. most of the time.
Unsure if it is a factory system or not.My driver's door seems to be a master.. Ie locking/unlocking it drives the passenger door and rear door. (it's a 2 door hatchback).
Anyway, i think I'll give an ebay kit a go, but will check out supercheap too.. see what they have to say etc. Maybe they can give further guidance.
If the central locking is working with a key then you may want to try an automotive locksmith. They may be able to get the remote and recode it to the car for a fraction of what the stealership wants for it. It might cost more than the eBay kit, but it will save you so much time not installing the kit. But make sure your Echo had a remote entry key fob. Some of the early Echos didn’t and only had central locking via key.
Installing an after market central locking kit is not as easy as it looks or sounds and if the car already has central locking, it may even make it more of a pain in the arse or it may make it easier as you can plumb into the existing system.
Source: I’m a locksmith AND a mechanic. I don’t personally do cars as a locksmith, but have owned a Toyota Echo in the past and got a replacement remote head for the key and had it programmed to the car.
Found this on eBay: Toyota Echo Remote Fob… it’s from an Australian seller who is a locksmith, so you can easily email them or give them a call. If this will work with your car, I would spend the extra $20 and get this and not have to mess about with a cheap nasty kit install…
Thanks for the ebay link.. i had tried those programming procedures before but never received confirmation that I had reached ADD/REWRITE etc.. this time I did get the signal that a key was ready to be programmed! (actually, only once out of four attempts worked.. maybe because my method is sloppy, or maybe it's because my actuators are sticky/broken which is confusing the electronics)
I think I'll order this fob and I guess two new actuators to swap in.. see how we go. (I will first look at one of the actuators to determine size/type.. in case that is important)
Thanks again.
fyi all: I put two new actuators then bought a blank flip-key-fob from amalgamated locksmiths ebay store as per pegaxs' recommendation.
took the key to a locksmith who cut it for $10.. and I programmed the transponder/remote myself.
works perfectly!
link https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-echo-remote-Flip-key-Fob-…
I've used the super cheap kit which is likely made in the same Chinese factory.
All the pictures are the same as what came in my box.
The main work is finding the right location, taking off panels and wiring. If one of the actuators gives way it's pretty simple to replace it.