2004 Dodge Neon power lock conversion

I have one of these 2004 neons coming in next week, does anyone know if this car has cable controlled door locks or the good old rod type. If cable do you have any tricks?

Thanks in advance!!!

i know the 2003 is a push rod. Cable, I have only done a 2003 Honda Accord with them and would RUN away from putting actuators on cable locks.

Push rod with molex plugs...have fun.

The locks are rod driven.  Though the rods are almost twice as thick as most cars the few that I've done have had to grind the bar down to make it fit in the actuator.  Oh and what's the big deal with cable driven locks?  They just take a little ingenuity to make it work.

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Cause I'm So white and nerdy...
First Class Certi-fried installer

I have been trying to install actuators on my wifes neon, the problem is the rod is sideways, because the switch is part of the handle, so it is a real tight fit.



does anyone have any tips on how to do this?

The placeing of the actuator is really simple, its a straight pull even tho the rod is on an angle, just bend the rod from the actuator kit to be paralel with the factory rod.  The factory rods are THICK so be prepared to have a vice and a round file to get the clamps to fit.  As for running the wires there is holes in the molex plugs that can fit 18 guage wire when its split apart, just unplug the plugs from the door and frame so you can push the wires through the empty holes. It took me about 4 hours includeing the relay wireing last time i did an 03 neon, 04 should be te same.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

ALPINE GUY,


where inside the door did you mount the actuators? Did you put them towards the front of the door, or the rear of the door? Appreciate the help.

I had them pointing towards the rear of the door, i mounted them on the inside of the metal door skin. When you have it apart it will all come together, its really a pretty simple concept.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

I think I understand what you are saying, but I must be stupid, because I have tried everything, and still am having trouble.


Questions:

1. Do you disconnect the rods from the door panel or leave them connected?

2. When you say inside the metal door skin, do you mean inside like the window is inside?

3. Do you have any pictures, or anything that could help me out?

I hooked up the power trunk release, that was super simple, but still having trouble with these doors, and can't install the alarm, until I have the power door locks in. I am not really new to installing electronics (stereos, monitors, alarms), but am new to installing actuators, and it is kicking my ass.

Again, appreciate the help.

I put actuators in a 2000 Neon, and it was a pain in the ass. What I did was mount the actuators inside the door frame as well. Don't know if it's the same on a 2004, but on mine there was a round hole even with where the lock switch connects to the lock rod. It is the same height as the tip of the rod towards the rear of the vehicle. I took a pair of tin snips and cut some of the sheetmetal away towards the lock switch so that the rod connected to the actuator would have room to move back and forth. Then I screwed straight through the door sheetmetal into the actuator, not using the metal mounting straps that came with the actuators at all. There are varying depths in the sheetmetal back there, just do a test fit before mounting and you'll see what I mean. This was the best mounting point I could find that was super stable and lined up nicely with the lock rod. You'll still have to bend the actuator rod at an angle that runs parallel to the lock rod, but it works wonderfully for the back and forth motion of the actuator.

that sounds like a good idea, I will look at that this afternoon.