I don't know all the details of the W126 system or the system you bought, but the basic idea is simple. When you lock/unlock your drivers door, the rest of the doors follow. There's no reason to change that if it works. What you need to do is install the electric actuator that will make the drivers door lock/unlock just like using the key or pushing the lock plunger. The actuator is usually a couple of inches long and about 1/2 inch in diameter. The bottom end has some screw holes so it can be attached to the inner door frame (you may have to drill a hole or two). The upper end has a small rod that you need to attach to the door lock rod with a small clamp. The result of the actuator is the same as pushing or pulling the door lock plunger in the car. The actuator is wired to the keyless system such that it pushes/pulls in the correct direction.

I don't know if you need to do any additional wiring to operate the vacuum pump in the trunk. If you sit in the car with the engine off (key removed) and manually lock the drivers door by pushing the plunger down, do the rest of the doors automatically lock? Do they automatically unlock if you wait a while and manually unlock the drivers door? If that works, I would say that you can leave the vacuum pump alone and just worry about making the drivers door lock work. Clear as mud?

The W123 is simpler, it does not have an electric vacuum pump, just a vacuum storage tank so I don't have to deal with that. The actuator only has two wires. There should be two wires from the keyless system that connect to the actuator, just a matter of getting them correct so closed is closed and open is open.

The part that I don't know is whether you need to mess with the vacuum pump, or if the existing system will take care of that for you. That's why I asked if the system works when you manually lock/unlock the doors from the inside.

I remember I had a hell of a time installing it. Easiest way to do it is in the trunk, at the trunk lock. I have the same exact unit, and it works beautifully. Once I get a chance, I'll take a look at it and tell you exactly what color wires are attached to what. It was a giant brain leap for me while trying to figure it out. You have to connect several of the wires on the Valet unit to each other.

would this actuator work

http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/742.html

I can get it for $8 at Pep Boys.

craig could u enlighten me on how you installed the actuator (where on the door) so that one could get the panel back on? As I remebmer the door panel has a flat back.


Kris

thanks dan--that will help a lot

It will NOT work in the trunk lock of a 1982 300SD as there is no electric switch there. Later models had it, but you only have the switch in the driver's door in 1982. BTDT.

Pindelski has a step by step for your exact situation with ~52 pictures.

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

my vacuum locks work from the driver's side...they work as they should according to spec. I understand the idea behind the actuator and the door lock..I get that its pretty simple (even nifty too) The only thing that I am worried about now is will there be enough room for the door panel to go back on. I dont exactly remember what the back of the panel looks like but we'll see. I hope PepBoys has that thing in stock. I should be able to wire it--I found some diagrams from another system with the same wires and everything. We'll see

Thanks

Kris

from that tutorial it looks like the actuator is mounted inside the door frame...hope it fits with the glass and all....we'll see

first step is benchtest the device with the security system - out side the car

if it works take out the door panel and have at it

ill have to figure out how to wire in the horn and lights and what not..if i want to.

tHanks guys.

Kris

Yes,
The actuator mounts vertically inside the door frame, directly below the interior door lock plunger. The rod runs straight up to the rod associated with the door plunger and clamps to it. The Pep Boys unit looks similar to mine. Mine is located about half way up the door frame, just inside the "lip" with a screw or two. Just make sure you find a spot that doesn't interfere with the window or anything else. I didn't have any trouble finding a spot for mine.

ok im at a loss now

i have the actuator
i have 2 5-pin relays also

i tried the diagram on the back of the box (actuator)

no luck

this valet 712t confuses me

"negative lock trigger from alarm"

6 wires

Violet - unlock #87 normally open (input)
Blue/black - unlock #30 common output
brown/black - unlock #87a - normally closed
violet/black - lock #87 normally open (input)
white/black - lock #87 normally closed
green/black - lock #30 common output

i have discovered that the green/black and blue/black wires have 12v flowing throu them when locked/unlocked

yesssssssssssssssss YEAH !

now do i need to wire those up to a relay? or can i go direct into the actuator?

well-i tried going direct to the actuator..that didnt work...if it should have then the actuator is defective!


KRis

You should be able to test the actuator by putting 12V (from your battery) across it and watch it move. I don't know if your keyless system needs a relay, sounds like the instructions aren't very clear.

i found a green wire that output 12v when the unlock is pressed and a blue when lock is pressed....12v...i would think that should activate the actuator...but it doesnt..on the back of the actuator box..there is a diagram of relays..which i have those 2..the instructions on this thing isnt clear at all...very useless in fact.. danwatt has the same system...

In a word, not really. Oh, that's 2 words.

Most of the vacuum system does not work. It works to run the climate control fan and other engine components and that's about it. Too many problems, leaks, etc. after 25 years of plastic tubing becoming brittle etc. Also much of it had been disconnected prior to my purchase of the car. It was therefore easier to switch to electric systems wherever possible. Not stock for sure, but it works and works dependably. For purists this is anathema, I know.

Rev. Dr. G.

It probably doesn't work because you don't have the system grounded properly.

Look at an earlier post I did to indicate the proper grounding wires.

Rev. Dr. G.