Remote Keyless/Alarm tips, '84 300D

[TomJ]

While waiting for part on the tranny swap job, I decided to install a cheapo alarm (Crimestopper 2001FS) in the 300D and try to get around the vacuum locks by using the remote keyless entry system on the alarm.

Using a cheapo ($4 - NEW) door lock solenoid from the same place I bought the alarm on ebay (mandsenterprise - HIGHLY recommend!), I installed into the drivers door, I now have keyless entry. Works flawlessly. Once the alarm actuates the drivers door, the vacuum opens the rest of them.

Here's a pic of the door install - solenoid mounting at bottom inside of door (you can see the black plastic motor sticking out a bit):



Here's the attachment to the actuator rod (had to bend the solenoid rod in a slight "S" pattern to get around a few things and clear the vac actuator - seen inpic):



Also, for the parking lights, use the smaller grey wire on the bottom of the light switch (as you look at it mounted from under the dash, it'll be right at the bottom of the switch, very accessible).

To also turn on the inside dome light, I had a helluva time finding the control wire to the front one, so I just used the bottom wire in the dash switch for the rear dome light (two brown and one grey, just tap into the grey).

So when the keyless entry is activated (or alarm is de-activated), the solenoid opens all the doors (opens drivers door, which in turn opens the rest with vac), the rear inside dome light comes on and the parking lights turn on. With this alarm they stay on for about 2mins after the unlock button is pressed.

Alarm was $39 (I think they're $44 now?) and the solenoid was $4. The radar perimeter detector (admittedly overkill for a $1,500 car) was a whopping $19.

The electrics in these is really funky, as most ahve found out when doing the same thing I did, but alarms are doable even in these older cars.