My drivers side door lock tumbler is getting finicky after all these years, and when I called a locksmith about replacing the door locks to match the new ignition (from last year) he told me it would be about $400 if I pulled the doors apart for him, $650 if he had to do it. Whoa.

So it got me thinking... what if I installed a remote starter system instead, since those also will have a power lock control function, and then I can use the remote to lock/unlock the doors.


But when I search here all I keep finding are people talking about troubles with their OEM systems, etc.

Is there any brands or models I should be looking at - or avoiding?? Or just grab whatever I want from Crutchfield and it'll do the trick?

Thanks for your advise everyone, I appreciate your insight.

I would just try to power graphite your locks really good. As most of the time, that will solve the tumbler issues in your door locks.. :-)

I'll certainly give that a try - thank you!

Anybody try something like this for a remote start solution?

Excalibur RS-370 4-button 1-way remote start and keyless entry system — up to 1500-foot range at Crutchfield


Unfortunately the graphite in the locks trick hasn't worked and now the lock is completely bound up and non-functional. Sigh.