Question on Honda Warranty & Dynolock install

[Peter Dk]

Considering the Dynolock (tailgate lock) is an automatic locking mechanism that hooks into the electrical system, has anyone asked whether installing it voids the owner warranty?

I would imagine that any dealer isn't going to want to touch the install themselves, so that may mean we're at risk of voiding the warranty by doing it ourselves. At least that's my guess - has anyone checked?

PeterDk

[csimo]

Originally Posted by Peter Dk

Considering the Dynolock (tailgate lock) is an automatic locking mechanism that hooks into the electrical system, has anyone asked whether installing it voids the owner warranty?

I would imagine that any dealer isn't going to want to touch the install themselves, so that may mean we're at risk of voiding the warranty by doing it ourselves. At least that's my guess - has anyone checked?

PeterDk

The installation of any aftermarket item does not "void" the factory warranty by default. If the aftermarket item causes a problem then the manufacturer is not required to honor the warranty for that repair.

For example... if you installed this lock and it caused an electrical system problem of some kind those repairs may not be covered under warranty.

[Peter Dk]

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid it would be something like that. "Electrical" could mean almost anything in the cars system including the computerized components. I already have some small glitches coming on in the warning lights (eg gas cap needs to be tightened). As yet I don't have the dynolock installed, but doing so I think is a big risk when it comes to getting Honda to honour the warranty.

I haven't made up my mind yet on what lock system, but I may be headed toward a manual version instead of the automatic one.

It would be great to hear from others on this.

[chuck401]

The instructions for the dynolock are VERY clear. I installed mine two years ago and have had 0 (zero) problems. I don't think you can go wrong with the Dynolock. All parts are supplied, no specal tools required, and great phone support IF you need it. Just my humble opinion.

[r-squared]

I have a tailgate lock. You splice the rear door actuator power so it powers your tailgate actuator - its just 2 wires and you dont need to supplement the power or use relays. I understand where you're coming from, as you do splice into factory wiring, but you're essentially just putting in an extension cord from those wires to the tailgate.

I dont know of a manual lock for the RL.

[Peter Dk]

I did speak with a Honda Service Manager today and he stated the same thing - any problems 'related' to the install could void the warranty, but likely only items/work related to say the door locks (as an example). This makes me a bit more comfortable but its only one person's interpretation.

I'm pretty sure I saw a thread someone about an up and coming manual lock. Not sure if its out yet.

[r-squared]

Its the federal Consumer Product Warranties law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. You may want to do some reading up on that to make yourself more comfortable.

If you wire up your dynolock and your wires leading to the tailgate get comprimised because of some installation error, and in the end you blow your fuses everytime you lock your truck, the dealer will charge you to fix that as it is not a warranty item and they can readily prove the problem with your aftermarket wiring caused the problem.

If your front strut goes bad, they cant blame it on the dynolock.

If your radio stops working, they still cant roll that into an "electrical" problem and void your warranty...unless they can prove the lock caused the problem - which I seriously doubt is even possible.

Make sense? Some members here mod their trucks to some extremes that exceed my comfort level...so my only remaining advice is to only do what you are comfortable doing to your RL. We all have different comfort levels. But when something peaks your interests, just do some digging because I think you'll find a lot of mods keep the warranty intact, and offer some really great benefits.