Need help understanding power lock/keyless entry installation

[Amys]

I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla CE bought used from an emporium about 2 years ago.

This car has no power locks of any kind. It doesn't even have locks at all on the back doors, which I find really annoying, as you have to unlock the doors by reaching around from the inside.

Recently, my only key has been sticking in the trunk, and on cold days, the driver's door as well. I'm concerned the key is starting to wear, or that the locks have worn, and that I shall have to replace one or both soon. I'm also worried that jamming the key in the locks and jiggling it too much will change the shape of the key so that it might no longer work, even in the ignition, which would be a real pain.

In thinking about it, I believe it makes sense to get power locks and remote keyless entry installed. It's just convenient and I've missed it with this car. I've been doing some research trying to figure out how much installation would cost me, but the figures are all over the board and I do not know enough about my car to know what I need or how/where to get it.

Assume that I do not have the know-how to install or purchase parts myself.

I was thinking I would go to a Toyota Dealer, a place like Car Toys, and a local alarm and/or mechanic shop to compare quotes. But I am sure that folks operating those places will see an ignorant girl and tell me all sorts of contradictory...and probably overly expensive...things.

So what do I need?

Some people advised buying an alarm system, which I guess can come with power locks and keyless entry. I don't really like alarm systems, but they do lower insurance and can help you find your car in a parking lot. If it's cheaper to buy an alarm as opposed to a bunch of parts separately, or is a good deal, then I would consider that. Other people said that I need actuators. I don't really understand the mechanics involved, but it seems like they are not cheap ($80-$100 a piece?) and I would need one for each door.

Plus labor.

Plus the other parts.

So basically, I'm seeing figures ranging from $50 kits on ebay to $1,000 in parts and labor.

Please help me sort through it!

[Apokryphos]

get a car with bells and whistles. It will be easier than swapping out door panels, adding relays, , paying labor to have it all done, etc. I would look into alarm systems that are able to lock/unlock doors at the very least. It should lower your insurance too.

[aspen007]

Amys,

First off, I suggest you lubricate your door and trunk locks with a graphite based lubricant. If that doesn't fix the lock problem, get a new key made. Don't use oil or WD40. It will fix things temporarily but it leaves a residue in the lock that attracts additional dirt.

It may be hard for you to believe, but to install the official Toyota remote power door lock system that's standard on the LE model into the CE model is a massive and expensive undertaking. I know since I also bought a used CE model and looked into it after fiddling with the manual door locks.

After investigating the cost, I decided to use an aftermarket system for the front doors only. The system only locks/unlocks the front doors, only works using the remote (no electric door lock buttons on door), and doesn't have an alarm feature. It cost about $250 for the parts and installation. The shop would have also done the back doors but I don't use my rear doors much and didn't care to pay the extra expense. If you go this route, make sure the shop has worked on the 03-08 generation Corolla with the cable system locks. They are different than the earlier generations and require different parts.

Just for fun, ask a local Toyota dealer what it would cost to install the remote lock system. Assuming they even agree to do it, I bet you are looking at over $2000 in parts alone. That's because to do it correctly, you need to replace or modify the interior door panels, install switches and locks with actuators (they open/close the locks electronically when you press the buttons) in all four doors, install a receiver in the roof by the antenna, and buy a couple of remotes.

Good luck.