How To Change The Door Lock Actuator

Diy bri shows you how to repair a door lock actuator without a complete replacement.

How to change the door lock actuator.

A door lock actuator is responsible for locking and unlocking your doors. Car door lock actuators are designed to lock and unlock a door without the effort of pulling on a cable and rod. When the actuator stops working there is no communication between the door lock switch and the door locks and you ll be unable to lock or unlock the door. When one of these sealed units fails there is no way to repair it so replacement is your only option.

How a door lock actuator works. When the door lock switch is triggered the actuator s motor powers a set of gears that lock or unlock your door. A rod connects the actuator to the latch and another rod connects the latch to the knob that sticks up out of the top of the door. Ford uses a modular design door lock actuator.

Common hand tools. On a vehicle with electric locks the process is a bit different. This manipulates a series of rods that slide back and forth opening and closing the locking mechanism at the door latch. In some cars the door lock actuator is positioned below the latch.