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Mid-Gate Lock & Valet Key System

M

misty_juarez

GUEST
The only thing that I have found on the AV that I have told my friends is that I would love to have a lock on the mid-gate. On most cars that have a gate that folds down as some type of key lock that keeps unwanted persons out. Also there is not a valet key. This is very important to me because I want to know that I can secure things in the bed and someone can still have the ability to park my SUT without taking a peek in the back.
The keyless lock that has been posted is a great idea. I am going to be putting on a KM filter and want a remote ignition keyless entry system. It?s great to start the truck from 100 ft away with the air running here in TX.

Peace
MJ>:D
 
Welcome to the board, you are quite right, the General messed up, no valet key!

There are ways to change out the tailgate to a remote controlled lock, but I think the key can still override it.

As to locking the midgate, that is an interesting idea, keep those car boys out of it! :rolleyes:
 
MJ said:
...I am going to be putting on a KM filter and want a remote ignition keyless entry system. ?It?s great to start the truck from 100 ft away with the air running here in TX.

Peace ?
MJ>:D
Click to expand...

Read this thread: http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cgi/forum/YaBB.pl?board=problem&action=display&num=1018395919

You may have to add full remote control and drive the Av around the parking lot like an R/C toy a few times to get the cool air blowing prior to getting in!

Anyway, a lockable midgate was one of the first "omissions" that I noticed when looking at the Av. I thought valet keys were fairly standard these days. Maybe GM didn't think anyone with a "truck" would be valeting :rolleyes:
 
I am not sure about you guys but I know that I will never let a valet drive my AV....I used to be a valet in my younger years and if I saw something like this pull in I would have gone nuts.

But then again I would never let any of the cars I have had be valet'd. Everytime someone I know has their car valet'd it comes back with a scratch or dent. And since the AV is a beast I don't allow anyone to drive it.

Just me trying to make sure my AV stays the way I like it.

As far as the mid gate thing goes....I am not sure if you can get to the latch from the outside. On most cars that fold down the reason they need a lock is because the latch is easily accessable. So if the latch is hiden from outside use then no problem should ever happen.

My $.02

PS

Glad to see another AV owner...as always.
 
I don't care so much about the valet key, but I'd like the midgate lock. There are times I'd like to keep all the windows open (and the rear out) and still keep things locked in the bed. As it is the vehicle is either totally locked or totally unlocked. My car can remain unlocked but the trunk locked (the release is in the locked glove box).

GM blew this one but got just about everything else right so I'll let it slide.

Fred
 
I've always thought the evolution of vehicle keys was interesting. You used to get two keys - one for the doors and trunk, one for the ignition - the latter being sort of a valet key. Then the Japanese go to one key to fit everything - but with a valet key that keeps you out of the trunk - an improvement IMO. But, when GM adopts the one key strategy - oops - no valet key . . . come on Chevy - it can't be that hard!

IMO the midgate lock and valet key go together - keep persons out of the bed, while still letting them drive the vehicle . . but, don't think this is even on the 2003!

Me? I don't let no stinkin' valet drive my Av either!
 
I go more for convenience of one key. No valet is going to touch my AV anyway. I think Chevy should go further the other way and allow the tailgate lock to be opened with the remote. :B:
 
I wonder if there is a way to put a lock on one of the ends of the handle to prevent it from turning and opening the midgate. I guess drilling a hole and inserting some sort of lock that would slide forward into the cross beam. I don't even know if they have a locking mechinism like that.
 
Yes, they do make a lock like that. I has a sliding cylinder that when you turn the key and push in, the cylinder goes forward and goes into a hole behind it.
Usually used on sliding glass doors, where the hole is in the rear door. problem is that to be useful in our application it would have to be be mounted from the bed side. This would be a real pain to unlock.
 
gandolphxx said:
Welcome to the board, you are quite right, the General messed up, no valet key!
Click to expand...

Why would anyone hand over their AV keys to anyone other than for maintanance (where even then you can watch it)?


Here is a good question for you: Since the alarm is tied into the midgate and tailgate, would the alarm go off when the midgate is lowered while the alarm is active?

I found out that when you have the midgate down and alarm set, don't open the tailgate. The alarm will go off. It makes for angry campers early in the morning down by the lake.
 
Once yall figure out how to lock the midgate, the valet key will be simple. Just get your local locksmith to change the code on the tailgate and make a new key for it.

Then your regular ignition/door opening key is a valet key and the bed will be locked.
 
pdxkevin said:
Here is a good question for you: ?Since the alarm is tied into the midgate and tailgate, would the alarm go off when the midgate is lowered while the alarm is active?

I found out that when you have the midgate down and ?alarm set, don't open the tailgate. ?The alarm will go off. It makes for angry campers early in the morning down by the lake.
Click to expand...
I have not noticed this. I have opened the tailgate with the stock alarm set, and nothing has happened. As far as I can tell, there are no contacts on the midgate or tailgate that would let the alarm know they were open. If there was a switch on the tailgate, you would think that they would have a tailgate ajar light on the message center in the dash -- all it would take is software and no additional hardware.

Do you have the upgraded alarm system? Maybe the shock sensor tripped when you dropped the tailagate? ???

-- SS
 
The Upgraded alarm will do this.

I've even had it go off when I closed the side compartments too hard.

jw
 
I'm going to have to read the book.
I cannot see any indication of a switch/wires that would indicate a tailgate/midgate tie in to the alarm system.

I didn't even know that the thing had a shock sensor on it.

Mine has an after market alarm on it in addition to the stock system. It was already installed when I got the truck (used with 5K on it). Can't see that it does anything except cause problems when the batt has been disconnected. Wont crank, horn blows, Lord only knows what else. All I know is that without the directions I'm pushing everything under the sun to get it shut up.
It is just a 4X4 black box, with a jillion wires, bolted to that chunk of steel, behind the dash that goes under the steering column
 
olsontru said:
I didn't even know that the thing had a shock sensor on it.
Click to expand...
The stock alarm does not have a shock sensor. But there are a couple of upgraded alarms available from GM. I'm guessing that pdxkevin has one of these on his truck?

Hmm... The high end system has an auxiliary output. Could that be hooked up to a tailgate power lock?
up_to_something.gif


-- SS


Mid-Level Security System Part # 12497740 $170.00

3400 VSC security system supplements the Content Theft System in your Avalanche. Adds a shock sensor to the stock system.


High-End Security System Part # 12497742 $284.00

4200 VSL security system supplements the Content Theft System in your Avalanche. Kit includes a plug and play harness Interface, 6 Tone Siren - 120 Decibel, panic button and GM styled remote, parking light flash, horn output, shock sensor, dome light supervision, auxiliary output, auxiliary button on remote, LED indicator to install on dash, status indicator light, programmable, silent or audible lock/unlock, code hopping and learning.

 
I've had my 2003 2500 4x4 Av for about 5 months now and I still occasionally walk up to the rear of the truck with the key in my hand, pushing the unlock button, expecting the tailgate to unlock. It's just so obvious to me that the tailgate lock should function the way the doors do...

Maybe next year huh GM? :6:
 
I solved my problem with keeping people out of the bed when parked in a valet lot. ?I did the remote tailgate lock MOD and installed a $12 key switch where the tailgate lock was. ?Once you do the MOD the tailgate lock is usless. ?The new key switch turns off the power to the opener and secures the bed. ?Now if I could just figure a way to secure the midgate. ????

As for the tailgate not setting off the alarm when set. ?THERE IS NO PIN SWITCH on the tailgate for the alarm to know when opened. ?You have to install one if you want it alarmed.

just my $.02
 
ShapeShifter said:
I have not noticed this. I have opened the tailgate with the stock alarm set, and nothing has happened...

...Do you have the upgraded alarm system? Maybe the shock sensor tripped when you dropped the tailagate? ???-- SS
Click to expand...

No changes to the alarm system. It has happened three different times. All when camping. All with the covers on, rear window in, midgate down, and all at oh-my-God-its-early fishing time in the morning. I would use the key to unlock the tailgate. As soon as the key rotated they alarm went off. I will have to feild test it again, there is a slight chance that the remote in my hand get pressed as I turn the key. I doubt it though because I alsway keep the bed locked and use the key almost twice daily. That being the case it would have happened more times or under different circumstances.
 
pdxkevin said:
I will have to feild test it again, there is a slight chance that the remote in my hand get pressed as I turn the key.
Click to expand...
I have never set off my stock alarm by opening my tailgate. However, I've set off the panic alarm with my key fob countless times.

I'm guessing that it's a coincidence and that you're hitting the panic alarm just as you're turning the key. The main thing that makes me think this, is your comment that it happens just as you turn the key. I've had the tailgate latch/handle apart, and I'm positive that there are no contacts, switches, or wires that can trigger an alarm. You can confirm this by removing your tailgate (look inthe manual) and noticing that it is not connected by any wires or contacts.

I don't like the way the panic alarm works: it takes just a single press to set it off. On my old Blazer, it took two quick presses to trigger it. I wish the Av panic alarm was the same. If you search for "panic alarm" there are a couple of threads on it, including a simple way to disable the button. However, I wish there was a way to make it so that it took a double hit of the button. :6:

-- SS
 
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