Installing an electric lock on the trunk and gas tank flap in a car

Removing the Renault Logan trunk lock

To repair the Renault Logan trunk lock you will need:

• metal drill 5 m,
• semicircular needle file,
• vice,
• file,
• hammer,
• compass,
• hacksaw.

So, the first point of repair will, of course, be removing the lock. To do this, you need to open the trunk, remove the plastic cover, and the rod from the lock latch. At the base of the larva body, you need to find two protrusions on the clamping ring and turn it 90 degrees clockwise until the slots coincide with the protrusions. Next you need to remove the ring and lock.

How the trunk lock works

The operating principle of the Renault Logan trunk lock is such that the plastic sleeve can be in two fixed positions relative to the metal sleeve. When you press the button in the “open” position, the block moves inside the trunk, the outer side of the plastic sleeve presses on the rocker arm of the actuator and it presses through the rod onto the latch and the trunk opens.

And in the closed position, the plastic sleeve rests against the protrusion of the lock body and does not reach the rocker arm, which is why the button is not pressed. Switching between these positions occurs by turning the plastic sleeve around its axis, then the movement is transmitted through a groove on the cylinder rod. Once the tenon has been cut off, the sleeve cannot be turned from the outside.

Power tailgate: what you need to know

So, an automatic trunk is undoubtedly a very convenient and practical solution. On high-end cars, you can open the trunk using the remote control (key) remotely.

There are also more advanced solutions, when it is enough to disarm the car and approach the car, then move your hand or foot in the area where the sensor is installed. In turn, the sensor “catch” the movement, sends a signal to the servo mechanism and the trunk opens without pressing any buttons on the remote control or in the cabin.

Of course, such solutions are complex and expensive. If we consider a simpler scheme, the trunk opening button is placed directly in the car interior, which eliminates the need to open it from the outside. In other words, the trunk with a button will allow you to separately open the trunk lock from the passenger compartment, which is simply irreplaceable in bad weather conditions and in a number of other cases.

It can be noted that this solution is quite possible to implement on almost any car (for example, an electric trunk of a VAZ). The convenience lies in the fact that when you press a button in the cabin, the electric drive activates the lock and the trunk lid opens. By the way, this trunk lock does not freeze.

The problem is familiar to owners of VAZ and other cars where it is not possible to open the trunk lid from the passenger compartment or remotely. Moreover, after washing or as a result of moisture, the lock simply freezes over, which prevents it from being opened with a key. In such a situation, you have to warm the lock, use anti-ice products, drive the car into a warm parking lot, stow luggage in the cabin, etc.

In turn, it is the electric drive that greatly facilitates and simplifies the operation of the car in winter. If the lock is working properly, the trunk lid with such a drive will open in any case.

Let us also pay attention to the fact that you can purchase both an electric trunk lock and an electric trunk drive. At the same time, you can buy and install an electric trunk drive without replacing the standard lock, that is, the device is compatible with a standard lock. This will allow you to open the trunk lid either in a standard way or using a button.

• Having considered the features and advantages, let’s move on to the electric drive device. Let us note right away that the electric drive and the trunk opening button are considered simple solutions. In short, the electric trunk drive is a mechanism that has an electric motor, a pair of 4-pin relays and a pusher rod. Also among the components is a fuse. A trunk button is installed in the cabin, which can be included in the kit or purchased separately.

Regarding the actuator, there are generally two types of actuators acting on the rod:

• electric motor solution;
• drive on magnetic plates;

As practice shows, the first option is simple, the most durable, durable, reliable and widespread, while the second is much less common. The reason is that the magnetic drive device is complex; malfunctions and failures often occur during operation. The general principle of operation is based on the interaction with magnetic plates. When power is applied, the relay “pulls” the rod to open the trunk.

As for the electric motor, the principle is similar to the operation of a central lock. The design is simple and reliable; if necessary, it can be integrated even into an old car (“classic” VAZ models, etc.). In fact, a signal from the button comes to the motor, it fires, pushes the rod and the lock opens.

Castle repair

Now we need to consider how to make a plastic sleeve for the trunk lock. To do this, you will need to restore the tenon, which is the most loaded part and all adhesive connections are quite unreliable. It is better to make an additional metal part that will serve as a cut tenon and transmit the rotation of the cylinder rod to the bushing.

Such a part is actually a flat washer, which is placed between the fixed and movable bushings; on the outside there is a driver and a spike in the inner hole.

Then you need to make a washer. The thickness of the plate, as well as the strength, should be large enough. It is desirable that the metal is well processed and protected from corrosion. We draw circles with a diameter of 5 and 7 mm. Now you need to carefully drill the holes. The coin is ground on three sides, because the washer will rotate throughout the entire range of rotation of the movable sleeve relative to the fixed sleeve throughout the entire range of rotation.

Now you need to bend the wire, which completely fits into the cavity of the plastic sleeve. The bending point should be marked 3 mm from the future outer “wall” of the leash. The part is clamped in a vice and the leader is carefully bent with a hammer. The washer needs to be “sunk” into the plastic sleeve.

Now you can assemble the castle. We need to check how it functions. Externally, it should look the same as before. Installing the lock is done in exactly the same way as disassembling it, only in reverse order.

Do-it-yourself trunk lock repair is by no means uncommon today. The lock can break at a very inopportune moment. This applies to almost all types of locks, including those found on car trunks. This especially often happens with Russian-assembled cars.

This situation requires an immediate solution, since during long trips, as well as on everyday trips, it becomes impossible to change a tire that is punctured, remove keys, a pump and other things from the trunk. In order not to find yourself in a difficult situation, it is advisable for every car owner to be able to repair the lock, unlike, for example, an alarm, on his own and even open the luggage compartment without a key.

Electric locks for car trunk

The most complex devices are electric trunk lid locks. Repair and installation require a lot of knowledge and experience. Cars equipped with central locking (CL) have more complex controls. The locking device kit includes electric mechanisms: drives; solenoids.

The electric lock of the car is controlled by the access system, the internal locking of the trunk door is performed by the central locking button in the car interior.

For the normal functioning of the system, after installation, unlike a mechanical one, the locking devices are additionally equipped with:

• Activators (electric drives);
• Solenoids;
• Electrical wiring kit;
• Central locking buttons on the trunk lid;
• Internal unlocking keys.

In addition, electric locks installed on car trunk lids are equipped with force limiters. This option ensures reliable operation of the locking mechanisms.

Manufacturers of electric locks offer two types of devices to car owners. The locking mechanism is operated by an electric motor or solenoid.

Systems with electric motors are in greatest demand. The popularity is explained by the fact that electric drives are compatible with standard locking mechanisms of car trunk lids.

The rear electric locks are connected to the central locking system. They are activated by the key when opening and closing the driver's door of the car.

The second connection option is to a car alarm system, controlled by the ECU via a key fob. Installing additional buttons and keys in the interior allows you to quickly open the electric locks of the rear lids of car trunks.

In terms of functionality, a mechanical lock is inferior to an electric one. The latter has higher operational reliability. Naturally, it is easier to open mechanical locking devices of a car than electric locks; there are many ways to do this; attackers are familiar with them.

5 door or 3 door cars

Car owners of vehicles such as hatchbacks, SUVs and crossovers with an odd number of doors should not have any problems during an emergency opening of the luggage compartment.

Here the main task is to get from inside the car to the cargo compartment. To do this, you must first fold down the rear seats. After this, on the inside of the odd car door, you can see a special handle. After pressing it, you can open the trunk door and repair the lock.

But sometimes it happens that the handle on the inside is missing, and the lock drive is not accessible to the car owner. In this case, you will have to disassemble the door trim. You will need to remove the plastic panel from the cargo door. Under the panel there is a luggage lock, presented in the form of a steel mechanism.

To dismantle the luggage lock, you need a tool like a wrench with a set of sockets. Having selected the necessary head for the bolts, you can use the wrench to disassemble the luggage lock.

When fixing the lock, it is important to pay attention to the trunk door - you cannot allow the door to open sharply upward, so you need to hold it. A careful attitude to work will not allow the mechanisms to cause injury to your hands. If you need to close the trunk door, then after disassembling the device, you can try inserting a screwdriver into the lock, at the same time turning the hinge holding the car door.

One of the weak points in the Lada Granta (VAZ 2190) is the luggage lock, namely its bracket. It may either go down or turn slightly to the right or left. As a result, the luggage compartment will become difficult to close. In this regard, adjusting the locking mechanism consists of installing the bracket in place (lift it and then adjust it).

Schematic diagram, types and principle of operation of the electric trunk drive

The device diagram is represented by the following details:

button;
electric motor; drive rod; fuse; relay.

Today, two rod drive designs have been developed. This can be an electric motor or special magnetic plates. Note that the first type has become more widespread due to its practicality. A drive with magnetic plates has a more complex design and some operational problems. The principle of its operation is based on the interaction of magnetic plates and a relay: when power is supplied to the relay, it activates a rod that interacts with the tailgate lock. Installing this type of drive on older models of domestic classics may be an unjustified measure, since such a design may make it difficult to open and close the trunk door on these cars.

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Feasibility of installation

Before installing an electric trunk drive with your own hands, you need to make sure that this is advisable, since due to the structural features of the bodies of some models, carrying out such an upgrade is considered irrational. And all because an electric drive is installed on the tailgate, consisting of two electric motors and a closer. Because of this, the trunk can be opened either using a special button from the interior, or by acting on the opening mechanism with an external handle. You can also issue commands to the lock actuator using a remote control system. In addition, special force limiters are built into the design of the electric motors, which stop opening the trunk if an obstacle arises. The mechanism works in a similar way when closing, however, if an obstacle occurs, the process changes (the doors begin to open slightly). In this case, you will have to open or close the trunk by hand, since after a short, stronger impact, the operation of the electric drive is blocked, after which the trunk lid can be operated without much effort. If the system does not work correctly, you will have to apply significant force to the tailgate.

Electric drive connection diagram

Based on the above, before installing an electric drive from a foreign car on a domestic car, in addition to the device itself, it will be necessary to select and purchase an appropriate tailgate closer. Of course, installing such an addition on a car (if it is justified by the design features of the luggage compartment) will allow you to feel more comfortable from operation. Therefore, if there are no restrictions on installing an electric drive with your own hands, you should not postpone this event until later, especially since the process of upgrading the trunk is not particularly difficult and is quite within the capabilities of the average motorist.

Which device to choose

Note that an electric lock is as important an element of a vehicle as, for example, tires. Therefore, you should not treat his choice with disdain. You should not pay attention to cheap Chinese-made mechanisms that can be found in any auto store. The thing is that such devices, in addition to having a short service life, are very often famous for their incorrect operation, which is characterized by incorrect responses to commands. From the total mass of electric locks presented on the market, it is necessary to choose domestic or high-quality foreign models, since they are characterized by stable operation and a long service life.

It is important that installing such a mechanism on a car will increase its value upon subsequent sale.

A car with an even number of doors

If the owner of a coupe or sedan car has a broken luggage lock, then he faces a more difficult task. If possible, you need to lower the backrest of the seat located in the back. And if it is an outdated foreign car or a Russian car, the back of such a seat will need to be completely removed. The seats of such vehicles are fixed using hinges directly welded to the body - the car owner will need to bend them.

After successfully removing the backrest, you need to determine the possibility of getting into the luggage compartment from the interior of the car. Approximately fifty percent of cars are designed to allow access from the passenger compartment to the luggage compartment. Using a flashlight, you need to carefully examine the inside of the luggage compartment. If it is not possible to get into the trunk, then you can use the hook on the extended handle and, when the lock is normal, open it using this hook. You can make an extension for the knob and use it to open the lock.

But on a number of cars it is necessary to remove the trim using a screwdriver extension. Outdated Russian cars are equipped with a luggage lock, which can be opened slightly thanks to a loop made of thin wire. By throwing it over the latch, you can bend the device to the side.

If you lose the key to the luggage compartment, you can open it slightly using a slotted screwdriver. But it’s worth noting right away that this method is not suitable for foreign cars or modern domestic cars, since they have a device that protects against hacking.

When the car is outdated, you can literally wedge a slotted screwdriver into the lock, shaking it from side to side and opening the lock.

How to choose an electric trunk lock

Buying an electric lock requires a balanced approach. Trade organizations and online stores offer devices of varying complexity and prices. High-quality electric trunk lid locks are characterized by reliable operation.

When choosing a locking mechanism model, the car owner is guided by the following:

• Providing convenient access to buttons and electric lock keys from inside the car;
• Possibility of connection to central locking;
• Possibility of connection to the car alarm ECU.

These are the main criteria for choosing a locking mechanism for the trunk lid. Each vehicle owner has the right to independently determine for himself the criteria for choosing locking mechanisms, based on needs and capabilities.

Selecting a lock drive

One has only to walk around the market or auto parts stores, or visit car services that specialize in auto electrics, and you will instantly receive a thousand and one offers to purchase an electric drive for the trunk lid lock. You should carefully approach the issue of choosing this part, since it depends on its quality how long you can use the very useful option of opening the trunk.

You should not listen to the advice of salespeople and managers that “this particular superdrive, which costs three zeros, will work as it should, and ordinary door solenoids are not powerful enough for the tailgate.” We must not forget that the trunk is opened with the same key as the car doors, and the same efforts are made to open it, but, judging by the advice, a small crowbar “to open the trunk” should be added to the set of keys from the factory.

The door solenoid copes with the function of opening the lock with a bang, the main thing, as they say, is not to skimp on quality. That is, you shouldn’t buy something Chinese and incomprehensible for pennies, there are good domestic drives, their cost is several hundred rubles, and the power exceeds their foreign analogues. And what's most surprising is that they work quite quietly.

Operating principle of the electric trunk lock

The solenoid operates from the vehicle's on-board voltage, which is 12 volts DC. When voltage is briefly applied to it, depending on the polarity of the current, it either pushes the bar forward or pushes it back. The travel distance is about two centimeters.

In cars, from the lock cylinder to the locking device itself there is also a metal rod that moves back and forth when the key is turned in the lock. It is with this that the solenoid is connected using a special clamp and with its movements imitates turning the key in the cylinder.