Experience with Aftermarket Remote Door Locks?

[ChiefRider]

I'm giving my 1997 Camry LE, 127k miles to my daughter. Just did timing belt, trans o&f change, recent brakes, etc. on this garage kept car. I'm confortable with its mechanical reliability, but I'd like to have remote door locks installed, and improve the headlights. I've seen suggestions for better headlamp bulbs, but I'm interested in how succesfull these aftermarket door lock systems are. Thanks for the info!

[71Corolla]

Does the car have power door locks?

I installed this unit and like it, works very well. Only issue I have with it is sometimes the buttons get accidentally pressed when it is in my pocket, but not a big deal to me.

[ChiefRider]

It does have power locks, just no remote operation. The local installer (in business 20 years) will install a unit for $149. He says it'll be a soldered installation rather than crimp. Just curious if there are any units to avoid, and how well they integrate to the car ie, do they work reliably?

[DM616]

I just installed in my Camry the Python 533 model which has the keyless entry, remote start, and new alarm.

Works really good, and the range which is apparently only 400 feet is pretty lengthy. I love it.

I would recommend anything from Direct Electronics (viper, python, avital, theres one that starts with a C but stick with viper or python).

$150 doesn't sound too bad, just find out what system it is.

Been working fine...no issues with the car opening/locking...like it more now that I have a much LOUDER chirp than the OEM chirp from the keyless entry...but that depends on the model you get.

[71Corolla]

Which unit will they be installing?

The one I linked to is a simple unit, nothing fancy. It has an adjustable shock sensor, and can be used with a trunk release solenoid (which I installed). It is very reliable, no complaints and the range is decent. The downside is the unit is not 100% integrated (not sure if other aftermarket units will be) so for example if you open the door with the key, the alarm will go off because it is not integrated/aware of the door lock itself.

edit - there was a wire labeled "instant trigger" but I was not sure what that does and the instructions did not say, anyone know? Is that like it sounds, set off the alarm instantly, or something else?

[Silent Runner]

Keyless entry and activation of other remote systems, are actually very easily to add to our cars, just be sure that the system is a "momentary contact", type of unit. My unit kind of works, but not really at present. One touch on my remote closes a circuit, and leaves it closed (or open). The car's locking system hates this, and refuses to work until you press the same button a second time, then it's reset. I think I'll have to buy one like 71'Corolla's.