So we've got a Polo estate, its gone through 2 lock barrels and 2 pumps. Currently unlocking the car via the passenger door.

I'm reluctant to spend any more money on the above, so am considering adding a normal central locking kit with actuactors to the doors.

Has anybody else done this? Any advice on how this could be done?

And before anyone says, I have used the search function

Jon

First Welcome to the forum.

No reason why a Universal kit with motorised actuators couldn't be used, clamp the actuator onto the rod for the door pin, the boot & fuel flap will need a bit of juggling, & remember if you don't fit it on the fuel flap, you'll need to buy a locking fuel cap to remain MOT legal :)

Thanks :)

Hopefully someone will make my life easier by telling me how they did the same on their pump system before

I fitted a "r-click" remote central locking kit to mine, I know by the sounds of it it may not help your situation if your eating through pumps but would resovle barrel issues. Have you checked the area around the pump for moisture? Usually they go wrong due to water ingress and if you've been going through them quick then maybe have a water leak?

May be worth trying them moisture absorber bean bag things, chuck one next to the pump and check it every now and again see how much water it's collected?

Also the rcl kits are 10mins to wire in and so easy. Just my thoughts though

The greatest enemy of the C/L pump is water/moisture.

The tell-tail signs are burning of parts of the printed circuit board inside the pump housing.

Many people have overcome this problem by repositioning the pump a little higher up - Not difficult to achieve, as all of the connections are flexible and just about long enough.

I have also heard of people wrapping the complete pump assembly in polythene, but I'm not too sure about that, as you could be sealing moisture in there.

It is also worth checking that the seals on the fuel flap and rear lights are doing what they are intended to do, (seal out the water).

Regards

Thanks for your suggestions all :)

From what I can tell, it's the central lock mechanism in the door that's causing both issues - knackering barrels and pumps.

Just bought an R-click central locking kit with actuators that I'll be fitting this weekend.

Rear doors seem easy with plenty of space for the actuator and easy wire access through the door bellows.

The front looks more tricky - the current C/L pump mechanism is right in the way, and the door bellows have detachable connections. Will work around the latter by hijacking the wires at each end.

Will try to take pics and post a how-to if I get the chance

If you can yeah a bunch of pics and a step by step guide would be very handy for other members thinking of doing the same but not having the confidence

So after many hours and lots of swearing, I admitted defeat. Not saying it's impossible, but I'm just wasting too much time and money sorting it out.

Just gonna buy loads of lock repair kits and fix those at 2.99 a time

Jon

What about trying a r-click remote central locking kit and reposition the pump and put a dehumidifier pot in there with it

My kit only cost £20 so may be worth a try?!

If you weren't so far away id help out!

I did purchase this kit

http://www.rclick.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=53&products_id=1130

But couldn't get it to push and pull the central locking rods effectively enough.

I've tested the central locking by attaching a pipe to the pump tube and sucking/blowing and this successfully locks and unlocks all doors and fuel cap

When i try to lock it via one of the doors the pump runs for too long...

I did have a look to see how I could wire up the kit to the CL pump but being an estate it's only got 3 wires on it...

Thanks for your advice on it so far

Rclick do a plug n play kit, you just unplug the pump and plug their unit to the pump and the plug you removed plugs to their unit, then you have remote fob locking/unlocking

Thanks - looking on their website it seems like it's for pumps with more than 3 wires - I've got an estate and there's just 3 wires

What year is it ?

99 s reg

Ok you could use this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Remote-Central-Locking-Upgrade-Kit-Keyless-Entry-2-Fobs-LED-indicator-/151689807278?hash=item23516ac5ae:g:Ax0AAOSwWnFWAAAS fit it inside the drivers door, connect it to the lock/unlock wires from the door switch