When I bought the CX I did not get the associated IR remote control units. So I did look for alternatives and bought a cheap universal RF unit with two key units. Below the way I installed this unit in the CX.


cx central locking

The CX roof dome light also includes the Infra Red plip unit to recieve the signals from the remote controls.


cx central locking

This picture shows the unit I bought to replace the original plip unit. The remote units can also hold a foldable key. There are also units where the remote is a seperate unit which can be used in combination with the regular key.


cx central locking

There the dome cover is removed and the original unit is removed. The little clips holding the original unit can be cut of from the cover to make space for the new unit. Also remove the transparent plastic bulb from the original unit and flatten the backside of the unit. This way it can be placed back for the original look without being in the way for the new unit.


cx central locking

The next step is to glue the transparent bulb back into the dome light cover. I simply used a piece of duct tape to put it back.


cx central locking

The new RF reciever sits in a plastic box. This box is to large for placing under the cover of the dome light. The solution is to remove the plastic box and put the little PCB directly under the cover. Again with a piece of duct tape. Of course the connector should stay clear. I solderred some thick wire to the ends of the wires. These wire ends will make the connection to the original CX plip connector to connect to the unit controlling the door central locks. Also note the black wire run around the outside of the frame. That is the antenna of the RF unit.


cx central locking

This picture shows the basic connections that needs to be made to the new remote RF reciever and the unit controlling the central locks in the doors. Red is the +. Black is the groud wire. The two white, grey wires do lock/unlock the doors. Depending on the RF unit the wire colous can differ so always check on the scematics supplied with the RF unit.


cx central locking

Put he cover back in place and reconnect the dome light. Everything should work now. I made a mistake at first with connecting the plus from the dome light to the new unit. The effect was the the central locking only worked with the doors open (so when the dome light was lid). With the doors closed the central locking did not work. When rewiring correctly this problem was solved and eveything worked as espected. Central locking on a CX is extremly loud so I decided the I did not need to connect any features like signalling the direction lights. Its a quick and easy install and opening the car is easy because you do not need a line of sight between the remote control keyunit and the remote control reciever. With a bit of sawing and filing on the CX keys a key can be inserted into the remote control unit. It does work flawless for several years already.