How To: Automatic unlock doors when you pull the lever

[pfive]

With every car i've ever owned, the front driver and passenger doors canbe locked, but if you open the door, they unlock automatically, saving you from having to push the unlock button and then the handle.

This isn't the case with the p5. Does anyone know how a mod like this can be accomplished? Is it possible to rig the door locks so they automatically unlock when the handle is pulled?


EVIL EDIT: How to starts on post 49

 

[Kansei]

With every car i've ever owned, the front driver and passenger doors canbe locked, but if you open the door, they unlock automatically, saving you from having to push the unlock button and then the handle.

This isn't the case with the p5. Does anyone know how a mod like this can be accomplished? Is it possible to rig the door locks so they automatically unlock when the handle is pulled?

that would be totally awesome if someone figured that out.

 

[uiuc240]

If you take the door panels off, you'll see that the handle just connects to a long rod that zig zags over to the latch. I didn't look at it more than that, but my guess is that the lock is designed to disable the handle. If you can defeat that, you'd be in business. My guess is this will be tough and you might make your car easier to break into in the process.

Eric

 

[pfive]

If you take the door panels off, you'll see that the handle just connects to a long rod that zig zags over to the latch. I didn't look at it more than that, but my guess is that the lock is designed to disable the handle. If you can defeat that, you'd be in business. My guess is this will be tough and you might make your car easier to break into in the process.

Eric

i see your point. i didn't think about that. i guess it may be best for me to just get used to the process. it kind of drives me crazy...if there is a method that wont compromise security...i'd try it!

 

[wildo]

This sounds like a seriously fun mod. It drives me nuts also!! my arm usually always hits the knob on the door, and i lock it accidently.

My guess is this will be tough and you might make your car easier to break into in the process.

It would be much harder to get a rod or something into the car and pull the handle then just pushing a rod through the window and hitting the unlock button. Or just using a slim-jim...

-i am going to look into doing this. I think it is a good mod, and i already have an idea on how to accomplish with very few parts. I'll keep you posted.

 

[pfive]

This sounds like a seriously fun mod. It drives me nuts also!! my arm usually always hits the knob on the door, and i lock it accidently.


It would be much harder to get a rod or something into the car and pull the handle then just pushing a rod through the window and hitting the unlock button. Or just using a slim-jim...

-i am going to look into doing this. I think it is a good mod, and i already have an idea on how to accomplish with very few parts. I'll keep you posted.

please do so - it drives me crazy. my elbow does the same thing...

 

[wildo]

OK, short update- I tested my theory at lunch today, and I think it is gonna work out. If you pull the door handle, you can feel that it doesn't seem to engage anything until about half throw. In fact, (and more importantly) you can have the door locked, pull the handle half way, hit unlock, and then finish opening the door. This is all good news. So, my plan is to get a micro lever switch and mount it somewhere so that it is activated during that first half of the handle throw. The switch will be in parallel with the unlock button. I will keep you posted, as well as a how to- if it works out this weekend. The hardest part is going to be finding a place to mount the switch....

 

[pfive]

OK, short update- I tested my theory at lunch today, and I think it is gonna work out. If you pull the door handle, you can feel that it doesn't seem to engage anything until about half throw. In fact, (and more importantly) you can have the door locked, pull the handle half way, hit unlock, and then finish opening the door. This is all good news. So, my plan is to get a micro lever switch and mount it somewhere so that it is activated during that first half of the handle throw. The switch will be in parallel with the unlock button. I will keep you posted, as well as a how to- if it works out this weekend. The hardest part is going to be finding a place to mount the switch....

great! if you get it, let us know and give us the part names (if any).

 

[Kansei]

if you get this figured out you'll be a god on these forums!

 

[pfive]

i agree - well, not a god, but highly revered!

 

[wildo]

i agree - well, not a god, but highly revered!

Yeah for me! haha... i am gonna give it my best- no promises. I am pretty sure that i can get the switch mounted, i am now concerned with how fast it will operate. You know, must cars with this feature have a mechanical linkage that unlocks the door when you pull the handle. With an electronic one, i am afraid you will need to pull the handle slower than normal... but, alas- i will try it out!

 

[Bala]

if you get this figured out you'll be a god on these forums!

Every one of my passengers hates not having a lock switch on their door. It's always:
1. Pull handle
2. Curse
3. Reach over shoulder or wait for me to hit my switch.

I know putting a switch on the passenger door is a mod many have done, but this would be better ... Godspeed.

 

[Huascar82]

I'm not very technical and all, but wont this disingage any other locked door? Wouldnt the best way (probably hardest) be to rig up some sort of rod mechanisism that when the handle gets pulled it will push up on the locking mechanism unlocking only the driver door? or maybe using the microswitch linked into the motor that unlocks the 1 door? as opposed to having it on the switch to unlock all doors.

***edit Wildo got it, thats what I was thinking just didnt know the words, mechanical linkage

 

[wildo]

My plan with this is strictly for the driver's door. When i finish, it will be up to you to integrate to passenger doors. Of course, driver's door handle will unlock all doors, but if your passenger tries getting out before you- they will still have the same frustrations.

 

[wildo]

I'm not very technical and all, but wont this disingage any other locked door? Wouldnt the best way (probably hardest) be to rig up some sort of rod mechanisism that when the handle gets pulled it will push up on the locking mechanism unlocking only the driver door? or maybe using the microswitch linked into the motor that unlocks the 1 door? as opposed to having it on the switch to unlock all doors.

i am curious as to why this is an issue with you? I suppose it is preference, but why would it matter?

 

[wildo]

without taking the door panel apart and looking yet (i am at work), i don't think that a mechanical solution will work here- at least not a kinda easy one. I am thinking this- if you have ever built model airplanes (ones that actually fly) you can imagine a coupler that would slide over a rod- be set in place, and have another rod hook into it. You could use this sort of device to hook to the handle rod. when you pull the handle, the rod will move towards the front of the car. so, to get the lock bar to move up, you will need to convert this movement to upward movement. You could do this with a simple lever. however, here is the problem-
The door will need to be fully unlocked before the handle is at half-throw. (this can be accomplished). However, now that the door is unlocked, you still need to be able to pull the handle the rest of the way. with the mechanical solution, the door handle is directly connected to the lock rod (which at this point is all the way up) therefore, the handle will not be able to pull the rest of the way. I may be wrong (as i haven't tested yet) but i don't think you will be able to open the door if you are in the process of unlocking at the same time (that is- if the upward movement of the lock bar, is proportional to the full swing of the handle).

so... i think that it will have to be an electronic solution.

...haha, plus i just realized that if the handle is tied to the lock- when the handle is in the normal position- it will force the lock down!! no good at all!!

 

[DeadAir]

Make this work and the beer's on me

(bowdown)

 

[pfive]

honestly, it was a bad design move by Mazda - the interior of my PFive is gorgeous and well layed out, but the doorlock thing IMHO was probobly thought of late at night after watching a Michael Moore movie.

 

[wildo]

I need a general consensus- should pulling the driver's door handle unlock all doors, or just driver's door? Please post guys, and i will try to design to the G.A. method. Thanks!

 

[pfive]

I need a general consensus- should pulling the driver's door handle unlock all doors, or just driver's door? Please post guys, and i will try to design to the G.A. method. Thanks!

i think all.

however, what if the passenger wants to get out first? - just a thought. i dont want to complicate anything.(mj) (mj)