I'm enjoying my recently acquired low mileage 1990 Sovereign but want it to have some of the features found on new cars. Towards that end, I've already installed seat heaters (a spousal requirement) and USB charging ports in the center console (road trips always require charging a phone sooner or later). The next modern feature I would like to have is a keyless remote locking system.

Has anyone installed a keyless remote in their car? If so, what brand / model did you use? Viper seems to be one of the industry leaders but there are many others. If you installed one, where did you locate the receiver so that you had access to all the various wires that must be attached to? Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas?

 

Did your car not come with a remote? AFAIK, all XJ40's have keyless entry, locks are already fitted with actuators, especially Sovereigns! .. The receiver is in the overhead console ..there are quite a few posts about this in the archive as there are two systems ..one is infra-red I believe on the earlier cars (yours?) ...so you probably just need to get a remote fob of the correct type/frequency for you car ...

BTW - put your VIN in your sig so we know what car you have - model year isn't really specific enough as the cars changed quite a bit over the range.

Larry

 

Wow! I had no idea. Had I known, I'd have searched first. Obviously, I'd much rather obtain / program a new remote rather than reinvent the wheel.

 

I don't think you'll be able to get an original working infrared remote.
You'll need a MODULE(if you don't have one already) DBC5119 or DBC3747 and a TRANSMITTER. They are quite rare, especially working ones and of course need to be paired too which is doable but not easy either. Best to get generic RF remote(plenty on eBay) and wire it up to existing wiring.
Details on how to here:
https://www.xj40.com/viewtopic.php?t=998272&start=10

 

While out in the garage today working on the car, I pried back the overhead panel where I believe people are saying the receiver should be located. The only components I see are the (back side of the) lights and the switch for the sunroof; no receiver that I can tell. Wasn't able to fully remove the panel as the leading edge didn't come lose easily and therefore, couldn't see all of what's going on up there. Does anyone know if all cars were wired for keyless remote? Once I remove the panel completely, will I find the wiring for the receiver? Or better yet, if the wiring is present, what color wires should I be looking for once I remove the panel?

 

Do you have an "emergency lock" switch on the dash above the radio? I have a 94 so not sure how your 1990 is set up.

If you trip this switch and all the doors lock, I think there's a pretty good chance your car has remote locking capabilities.

Larry

 

And I continue to learn more about my car (only got it 2 months ago). There is a lock switch on the dash above the radio. Hadn't tried it until now. Embarrassed to admit but I figured it was a kiddie proof window disabling switch given that it pictures a key and what appears to be a window. Found it interesting that it only works to lock the doors and pulling on the driver's inside door handle did not unlock the doors. Instead, had to pull on the button on the window sill to unlock the car from inside. This is encouraging because even though I don't intend to rejuvenate the original keyless remote (assuming it's in there somewhere), I'm guessing the wiring to the switch can be used when installing a new receiver. Is this a reasonable assumption?

 

If I were you, I'd just hook up whatever receiver you are going to get in the factory location, replacing the OEM unit but using the factory installed harness connections.

BTW your door should have unlocked when you tried to open the door with the inner handle - at least mine does. Try unlocking it with the passenger side and see if that does it maybe?

Larry

 

IF you have the factory security/keyfob system you will notice a short chirp horn sound along with the side lamps 'flash' in unison when a disconnected battery is reconnected to the car.
This is a warning tone to reprogram the keyfob transmitter(s) to the car.

The keyfob transmitters must be configured to the car EVERYTIME the battery is disconnected and then reconnected.

IF you don't hear the horn 'chirp' with the lights flash, then you don't have the OEM security keyless entry.

 

Interesting. The battery has been disconnected several times since I've acquired the car and I've never heard it chirp or seen it flash. Again leading me to think I don't have a factory security / keyless system.

 

Bob - is this just with the earlier cars with the infra red remotes?

Larry

 

The 3.6 liter cars had the IR system.
The 1990-1992 had the system I described and the 1993/94 used the same transmitter but did not require reprogramming each time the battery was disconnected/reconnected.

bob

 

You should have read the other forum topic link I've sent above. All details are there.



Connecting should be very easy, unplug the cable from the module in the centre roof console, find the black wire, red/orange and green/blue. Jumping red/orange to ground will unlock your car, jumping green/blue to ground will lock it. This will also confirm whether your system actually work or not.

Then you just pick up a remote set from eBay(preferably something that looks older, but plenty to choose from) and wire it up to this loom. Simple as that.

 

katar83 - Thanks. Read the link but as noted above, was not able to completely remove panel for fear of breaking it. Waiting until I have another chance to get out to the garage before digging around trying to find the wiring. Couldn't see it from my vantage point when I previously tried to remove the panel. Between a bathroom tile project, a coolant leak in the XJ, and work, haven't had many opportunities to spend a cold evening in the garage.

 

impster - it's customary to hit the thumbs up/like button on a post that helps you out on this forum ...just an FYI

Larry