ok dont get me wrong i love my cobalt but the only thing keeping me from really loving it is the fact that i have the base 2dr coupe with no power windows or locks. First the reason i got the base was the lt/ls?? was a few thousand more and its features were as follows....alloy rims....pioneer stereo...power locks and windows....so i was thinking what a waste of money because im going to replace half of those things anyway...i put on new rims/tires and put in a very nice stereo. Now my problem is that im left with no power windows/locks. So my question is can this be added or done easily?? have any of you heard this being done to a cobalt or have any of you had it done? would they be able to do it at a custom shop? I dont think the locks would be a problem because i shaved my handles off my blazer which wasnt hard at all but the windows i have no clue....any ideas????

 

i did the power windows/lock conversion on my 97 sunfire. took it to a professional shop. i provided the parts and only paid for the install. guy did it for $100

 

do you remember all the parts you needed?? also could i get a hold of door panels from an LS/LT (??) at a junk yard or sumthing and just wire those to the newly installed parts and trash my old ones??...instead of using the gay cehap looking buttons the kits come with...

 

Moved to general. The how-to section is for actual how-to's, not questions.

On-topic however, I saw a brand new Cobalt in the shop yesterday with it interior guts all pulled out because a professional shop had installed aftermarket power windows in the car. I don't how the system works exactly, but it was somehow tied into the cars Body Control Module and it got fried.

It's the third story I've heard of aftermarket electronics causing problems with the BCM. The other two were aftermarket remote start and alarm systems.

 

don't forget the upgraded stereo, spoiler, white face guauges, leather wrapped wheel and shifter, cruise control, controlls on the steering wheel...

 

isnt this an option and only standard on SS models?

 

Ya sorry bout that didnt really know where i should put it....anyways ya thats another thing i was worried about but manual windows and locks is sooooo annoying im willing to take the risk im going to order the kits today...the ebay ones all look cheap ill try an find some better quality ones..anyone know any good sites?..late

 

Ya thats why i said "Pioneer Stereo" and my base cobalt came with a spoiler...i didnt notice the white guages on the model i drove either....but ya cruise control and steering wheel your right.....but those few things i would be paying a few thousand more for..that and power locks/windows....because ive already replaced all of the other things....so in my opinion thats not worth it...but to each his own...late

 

i can i still cant quite figure out what i want to do....

My goal at the end is to have a single remote which i can unlock or lock my doors and turn on/off an alarm system.

Ive looked on ebay at there kits but they look really cheap....anyone know any high quality brands or point me in the right direction..

So would it be best to buy a conversion kit for windows/locks and install that on its own and then seperatly get a security alarm system and install that?? Then i run into the problem of having two seperate remotes. I only want one remote that can do all the functions. For example if i were to get lets say a viper security system could i set up that remote to unlock/lock my doors after ive done the power conversion?? i dont know if its different when your doing it on a car thats been converted from manual to power. I also dont want my remote to look all cheep and lame looking. i dont really know what to do exactly but the finished product is one high quality remote that can unlock/lock and do the alarm system.....if its possible i would wire the remote start and a button to pop the trunk....anyways thats the idea....any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....late

 

couldnt you order the parts from GM? Or ask your dealer for a recommended "warrentied" installer.. i dont mean GM warrentied, but shop warrentied

 

i guess i could call but i would think they would overcharge me if i bought them through the dealership...ill call tomorrow i guess......would it be possible to get the door panels and other parts off of another cobalt?? would the panels fit on my cobalt base coupe??

 

that would be big $$$ for all new panels

 

You honestly should have just bought them in the first place. Trade the car in for one with the option you want. It WILL be cheaper then trying to add them after the fact. And no, you can not get GM parts. Your BCM program will not be compatible.

 

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the only thing im missing that i want is power windows and power locks...thats it....i would be throwing a couple grand down the tube...and i would be buying a new car only for power locks and windows...because once i got my new car i would transfer the new rims the stereo the CAI...i put in 6x9 and 61/2 in the front also...ive already turned it into an ls/lt at half the price...i dont see how this is so hard to understand for you guys...the rest of the little features i dont care about...thats why i got the base coupe....but i only want to add the power locks and windows.....half the fun for me is customizing my car....



please if if you dont have any useful tips on my current situation do not post.....not trying to be a dick but i love my cobalt i have...trading it in isnt something i want to do..

 

You can get just locks added for less than $200. We use a company near us at the dealer to do this kind of work and never have problems. They will add power windows, alarms, remote start, backup sensors, whatever. Try to find some place like that to help you.

 

no... i have it in my lt

 

 

The white gauges come on any LT with the sport package, which is what you refer to on your LT, or on the SS. The sport package has different cloth on the seats, chrome exhaust tip, different wheels and tires, leather shifter and wheel, and the spoiler. Nice addition, we used to order all the LT coupes with it. Great value.

 

ok i found the kit im getting its a spal....but i just wanted to make sure that the doors use metal rods to unlock/lock the doors and not cables.....can anyone verify this?? i had my panels off awhile back to install speakers but i cant remember....thanks

 

im telling you call your dealer, im sure there parts dept uses a Co. to install stuff that doesnt come w/ the car... example, my car doesnt have cruise, but my dealer recommended someone that they use to add it on after taking delv.

 

im sure you can get the dealer to install it.. give it may take a bit more money but atleast you know that if anythign goes wrong you can get gm to fix it rather then u dishing out money.

 

^^nah, 99% of dealers wont do aftermarket stuff, mine wouldnt even to cruise control... But im sure they know someone reputible that could do it for you.

 

well im going to attempt it on my own...i dont see it as being to difficult...i have an 87 blazer that i shaved the handles off and installed keyless entry with door poppers...you just have to mount two actuators in a spot so that when they energize/de-energize it will pull the locking mecanism to lock the doors or unlock the doors..but i wanted to make sure that they are rods and not cables that unlock/lock the doors in the cobalt...if its cables ill for sure have to take it somewhere...also i guess ill give the dealership a call...cant hurt...thanks for those of you who left some tips....im goin to la this weekend but when i get back next week ill take some pics and let you know how the install goes...for me its not the money of taking it in to get it installed i just really enjoy customizing and adding parts to my car on my own. When you take it to a dealership i dont know about you guys but i just feel like a *&itch. after i do installs on my own it just makes the car part THAT much better. Maybe its just me.....late

 

I did the conversion to keyless entry on my 97' Ford Ranger. It's not really that hard. All you need is a relay, two door actuators, one or two momentary rocker switches, and some wires. After that it is just mounting and running the wires. PM me if you need any more info.