Door Lock Problems After Viper Install

[c36ryder]

I recently had a shop install a Viper keyless entry on my 1995 C36. Everything was working great for 2 days until my door locks quit working. I took it back to the shop and they looked at my car for 2 hours and then showed me that the problem was coming from the vacuum pump in the rear. They said they tested the system by blowing into the hoses to make sure that there was no leak. So they told me to get the vacuum pump fixed and then take it back to them to re-connect the keyless entry system. Before I take my car to my mechanic, does their diagnosis sound correct? It seems a bit strange that my vacuum pump has been working great for years and all of a sudden fails 2 days after the addition of a keyless entry. Any advice?
Thanks.

[GDawgC220]

It may be tru...what I think is that the added keyless entry put some extra stress on the pump because it unlocks and sucks the locks back down everytime u get in and out of the car.

If you pump was wearing out to being with, the stress coulda brought it over the edge.

Had your pump made this "cycling" noise in the rear right corner of the car when u have it on?

-G-

[c36ryder]

Originally posted by GDawgC220@Jan 7 2004, 08:13 PM
It may be tru...what I think is that the added keyless entry put some extra stress on the pump because it unlocks and sucks the locks back down everytime u get in and out of the car.

If you pump was wearing out to being with, the stress coulda brought it over the edge.

Had your pump made this "cycling" noise in the rear right corner of the car when u have it on?

-G-
Yes, I usually hear a humming sound for a couple of minutes after I start the car. A new function of the Viper keyless entry that was not present before was the locking of all doors after turning the ignition and then unlocking after shutting the engine off.
So you think this extra stress caused the vacuum pump to eventually fail? Do you think I should continue using the keyless entry system after I replace the vacuum pump?

[Dan The AMG Man]

What do you gain by going to a Viper over the stock unit... I think the stock one is good..

[c36ryder]

Originally posted by Dan The AMG Man@Jan 7 2004, 09:32 PM
What do you gain by going to a Viper over the stock unit... I think the stock one is good..
The 1995 and earlier models did not come standard with a keyless entry. I think they started including the factory keyless entry in 1996. My car comes with the factory alarm system that arms after locking the car with the key.
Lucky me.

Anyway, how does your keyless system work?
Do the doors lock automatically when you start the engine and then unlock when you turn it off?

I would like to have the alarm shop adjust the functions exactly like factory. Maybe that will prevent any future problems.

Thanks.

[GDawgC220]

Originally posted by c36ryder@Jan 8 2004, 09:43 AM
The 1995 and earlier models did not come standard with a keyless entry. I think they started including the factory keyless entry in 1996. My car comes with the factory alarm system that arms after locking the car with the key.
Lucky me.

Anyway, how does your keyless system work?
Do the doors lock automatically when you start the engine and then unlock when you turn it off?

I would like to have the alarm shop adjust the functions exactly like factory. Maybe that will prevent any future problems.

Thanks.
That is true, 94-95 did not come with keyless entry standard.

I actually have a system made by the same company as the Viper, DEI Electronics. I use to have that auto lock/unlock feature, but I turned it off myself because it found it annoying. Whenever i started the car with the doors closed, it would lock, yes, but then I could not override it with the center console button, so that was not good.

So far, my system has been good, standard alarm, keyless, impact sensor, etc. My pump does make that cycling noise as well, but so far so good (knock of wood).

My guess is that from the extra stress on the pump, your pump may have been pretty weak or worn out even before putting in the keyless.

Maybe a good idea is to also give u'r mechanic a call and see what he thinks.

Good luck man.

-G-

[Brabus]

Interesting issue... I have a Compustar remote start and keyless entry system. I haven't experienced any problems with the locks but I do know that it's very tempermental. Maybe you mechanic can check it out to see the problem and can let you know a possible cause.

Wear and over-stress with the addition of the Viper could be the cause, but perhaps the shop screwed up as well in the install...

[JRE320]

First who installed your alarm? They should know better. Second I got the Viper with remote start. Like what you said earlier, you turn on the ignition the door locks when off the door locks open. I don't have any problem with it.
Probably your installer connected a wire some where.. I don't know... :rolleyes: ;)

[c36ryder]

Just got my car back from my mechanic and it turned out the vacuum door lock unit was bad just as the stereo shop pointed out. Since it wasn't covered under my extended warranty, I spent a total of $550!

Now the question is, did the vacuum unit break because of the keyless entry installation or just plain wear and tear? The shop that installed it said that they do Mercedes all the time and have not had problems in the past. Everything did work for 2 days before it broke so I don't know.

[GDawgC220]

The door vacuum lock...is that the same as the "actuator"?

It could have been a bad install if it's not a very common thing and especially if your locks were working fine. But, it could be due to wear and tear, how old is the car? I mean...I've had keyless on my car since day one, two different systems as well (first one failed after 9 years) and nothing like this has ever happened.

Maybe try and talk with the installers to meet you half way on the repair as it could have been due to their install work and tell them what your mechanic told you.

-G-

[c36ryder]

Originally posted by GDawgC220@Jan 8 2004, 06:56 PM
The door vacuum lock...is that the same as the "actuator"?

It could have been a bad install if it's not a very common thing and especially if your locks were working fine. But, it could be due to wear and tear, how old is the car? I mean...I've had keyless on my car since day one, two different systems as well (first one failed after 9 years) and nothing like this has ever happened.

Maybe try and talk with the installers to meet you half way on the repair as it could have been due to their install work and tell them what your mechanic told you.

-G-
Yes...it was the actuator that went bad. It's really hard to believe that it's a coincidence since it worked well for a couple of days before it failed, but either way it looks like I'm gonna get screwed.