Part 4 of 6: Repairing the door lock actuator
- Use a razor blade to open up the actuator. Start on the corner by slicing your razor through the seam. ...
- Remove the electric motor from the actuator. Pry up on the gear and pull it out. ...
- Take apart the motor. Using a sharp pry tool, pry out the metal tabs that hold the plastic backing in place. ...
- Clean and reassemble the motor. Use electrical parts cleaner to spray off old grease that has built up on the brushes. ...
- Test the motor. Place your test leads on the motor contact points and connect the leads to a nine-volt battery to check the motor operation.
- Reinstall the motor and gears. Place the parts in reverse order from that in which you took them out. ...
How much does it cost to replace door lock actuator?
The door lock actuator replacement cost will likely fall between $288 and $330, although some estimate it to be slightly higher. The parts will cost between $201 and $220, depending on the make and model of your car while the labor will usually cost between $87 and $110. This doesn’t include taxes and other fees and could change depending on your location and your type of vehicle.
How do you replace a door lock actuator?
Step 5 – Remove foam block, bearing clamp, and actuator
- Figure 4. Foam block removed.
- figure 5. Clamp behind foam padding, removed.
- Figure 6. Window actuator removed.
How to replace rear door lock actuator?
- Push the door lock actuator shoe into the lock mechanism
- Twist the actuator into place
- Line up the actuator and lock mechanism gear teeth
- Insert the three T10 Torx bolts into the actuator
How to replace and old door lock?
Replacing Door Locks
- You’ll pay from $40 to $300 to buy a new door lock, depending on design, materials, and whether it’s a simple key-in-knob lock or a high-end lock-and-handle combo with smart ...
- Professional locksmith installation can add another $80 to $200, depending on the complexity of the lock.
- Replacing door locks is a relatively simple DIY project. ...
Can a door lock actuator be repaired?
The actuator mechanism operates using a motor and gears working in sync. So, when there is a problem with the motor, it may cause the gears to make an abnormally loud sound. The door lock actuator needs to be replaced or repaired.
What causes door lock actuator failure?
(If there is no voltage, the problem is separate and electrical). There are several factors that can cause a door lock actuator to fail. One is corrosion. Over time, moisture, oil, dust, and debris can enter the actuator or the mechanical links.
How do you take apart a door lock actuator?
Use a trim tool or thin screwdriver to pry the switch plate (where the electric window and lock buttons are located) up and away from the door panel. Disconnect the wiring. Next, pry the door trim off the frame, starting at the bottom. The door clips need some encouragement, but will pop off.
How hard is it to replace a door lock actuator?
The Removal and Replacement of the Actuators After removal of the door panel the rest is pretty easy. After removal of the door panel the steps are less stressful, unhook the door lock rod from the door lock (make sure not to loose the clip) the final step is to unbolt and unclip the motor from the door body.
How do I know if my door lock actuator is broken?
With that in mind, the most common symptoms of a faulty door lock actuator include:Power Door Lock Doesn't Work. ... Power Door Lock Operates Erratically. ... Strange Noises When Operating the Power Lock. ... Sluggish Operation From the Door Lock.
How do you test door actuator?
0:261:14Discover how to test a door lock actuator on your car or suv - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is how you test to see if your actuator is working you take out your clips don't touch themMoreThis is how you test to see if your actuator is working you take out your clips don't touch them together you put one you touch one side. And then you touch the other.
How much does a new actuator cost?
The average cost to replace an AC actuator in a vehicle is about $350. This cost is inclusive of the prices of both labor and parts, where labor costs an average of $220, and parts cost an average of $130.
How does a door lock actuator work?
Lock actuators use gears and pistons to raise and lower a rod connected to your door lock. The lock motor gets its power from your car battery, so it won't work if your battery's dead. When you press a button on your key fob or key in a code on your door, a signal is sent to the actuator to open or close the lock.
How much does it cost to fix automatic door locks?
Car door lock repair is a relatively quick and painless process, and the prices aren't that egregious either. An assessment and repair of your car door lock can cost anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on the extent of the damage and the amount of labour it will require.
Can an actuator be repaired?
How many times can an actuator be repair or reconditioned? VIR can repair and recondition actuators numerous times, as long as the actuator mechanical components are in good condition.
How long does an actuator last?
In the majority of cases the throttle kicker actuator will last the lifetime of your vehicle without any service or maintenance needed on your part. However, when it does fail it is usually very sudden and completely unexpected.
How do you change an actuator?
0:453:38How to Replace a Blend Door Actuator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe bolts are right there bolts right there kind of hard to get to but if you just get down thereMoreThe bolts are right there bolts right there kind of hard to get to but if you just get down there and look you'll see exactly where they are. So here's my new actuator.
How much does it cost to replace a car door actuator?
The average car actuator replacement cost is $300, depending, of course, upon your car's make and model. In most cases, a mechanic will remove the malfunctioning actuator and replace it with a functioning one.
Can a faulty door lock actuator drain battery?
The door lock actuator has a battery drain. The lock rods are pushed up and down by the auto door locks. The battery runs down when the interior lights stay on longer than normal. ... It's a bad actuator if it doesn't work 100 percent of the time.
How much does it cost to replace an actuator?
The average cost to replace an AC actuator in a vehicle is about $350. This cost is inclusive of the prices of both labor and parts, where labor costs an average of $220, and parts cost an average of $130.
How long does it take to fix an actuator?
Replacing the blend door actuator is actually a fairly simple process, and it should take no more than an hour. So the labor will cost you around $75 – $150 depending on labor rates at your local repair shop.
How to unlock a car door with a lock actuator?
There are a number of ways that you can unlock car doors that have door lock actuators, including: Using a key. Pressing the unlock button inside the car. Using the combination lock on the outside of the door.
What happens when the actuator moves the door latch up?
When the actuator moves the latch up, it connects the outside door handle to the opening mechanism. When the latch is down, the outside door handle is disconnected from the mechanism so that it cannot be opened. This makes the outside handle move without moving the latch, preventing the door from opening.
Why does my door lock actuator make a noise?
In some cars, a door lock actuator becomes noisy and produces a squeaking or buzzing noise when the power door locks are locked or unlocked.
How to open actuator?
Step 1: Use a razor blade to open up the actuator. Start on the corner by slicing your razor through the seam. Warning: Be very careful not to injure yourself with the sharp razor blade. Position the actuator on a solid surface and tap the blade with the hammer until it gets in pretty deep.
Can a door lock actuator lock but not unlock?
In some cars, a failed door lock actuator may lock but won’t unlock, or the other way around. In most cases, the problem with a door lock actuator is limited to only one door. In some vehicles, the cable that connects the door lock actuator to the inner door handle may be built into the actuator assembly.
What is a door lock actuator?
Each door has its own actuator. They can fail completely, where they don’t lock or unlock the door but don’t make any noise, or they can fail partially.
Why does my door lock actuator erratically operate?
Erratic operation can also be caused by a frayed wiring harness in the door hinge area or inside the actuator itself. Another symptom of a potential problem with the power door lock actuators are door locks that behave erratically.
What to do if you don't see the voltage toggle?
If you don’t see the voltage toggle, work backwards to the switch to isolate the problem.
What happens if the rubber bumper breaks?
If the rubber bumper breaks or fails in any way, the controller won’t be able to tell when the lock has finished its travel. In some cases the controller interprets the lack of current spike as a sign of a problem, causing the door lock actuator to lock and then immediately unlock.
Do late model vehicles have actuators?
Late model vehicles have the actuator built into the door latch assembly, forcing you to replace the entire latch. Older vehicles usually have a separate actuator. The actuator can be located away from the latch and operate the latch via linkage, or it can be attached to the latch by plastic clips or screws.
What is a door lock actuator?
As you might imagine, a door lock actuator plays a vital role in your ability to lock and unlock the doors to your vehicle. If a door lock actuator ever goes bad, it could make it difficult, if not impossible, to lock and unlock a car door. It’s why it’s going to be so important for you to pay the door lock actuator replacement cost in ...
How much does it cost to replace a door lock actuator?
But the parts that are necessary to replace a door lock actuator can cost over $200 in some cases. It’s what makes door lock actuator replacement on the costly side.
How many times do you lock and unlock your car?
Depending on how much time you spend driving your car around, you might do it more than a dozen times each day. And that can really take a toll on your door lock actuators over time. When you’re constantly locking and unlocking your car doors, ...
Can you drive around with a bad door lock actuator?
But one piece of good news is that if you absolutely have to drive around with a bad door lock actuator, it’s not going to put you or your fellow passengers into any danger. You can manually lock and unlock a car door with a bad door lock actuator in it and not have to be too concerned about it causing any issues.
Can a door actuator go bad?
When a door lock actuator goes bad in your car, it’s usually not too hard to tell that it needs to be replaced. You’ll find that a door in your car won’t lock and unlock like normal when you have a bad door lock actuator on your hands.
Do you have to worry about putting a door lock actuator in place?
You might not ever have to worry about putting a new door lock actuator into place. At the end of the day, it really all depends on how often you use your door lock actuators, what type of car you have, and how well you maintain your car as a whole.
Do door actuators wear out?
And that can really take a toll on your door lock actuators over time. When you’re constantly locking and unlocking your car doors, it’s eventually going to wear your door lock actuators out and put you in a position where you need to replace them.
