2001vwgolf4 What Tools Do You Need to Take Out the Driver Door Actuator

Door lock actuator: problems, testing, replacement

Updated: Baronial 01, 2021

The electronic door lock actuator is the part that latches and locks/ unlocks the door in a car with power locks. In most modern cars, the door lock actuator assembly includes a born latch mechanism, equally well every bit the switch (sensor) that monitors if the door is open up or closed/locked. The door lock actuator is continued to the inner and outer door handles via cables or mechanical links.

Door lock actuator issues

In that location are several reasons why a door lock actuator may need to exist replaced:
The worn-out door lock actuator tin can produce a buzzing racket during lock/unlock operation. A failed door lock actuator volition cause the door lock not to work when all other door locks are working.

If the electric motor or the mechanism inside the door lock actuator wears out, the door lock may lock or unlock slowly or work sometimes, but not all the fourth dimension. In some cars, a failed door lock actuator may lock just won't unlock or the other way effectually.

Ofttimes, the cable that connects the door lock actuator to the door handle may exist congenital in into the actuator assembly. In this case, if the cable breaks, the door lock actuator assembly may besides need to be replaced. Encounter the photo of a broken door lock cable.

The problem with the born switch that monitors if the door is open or closed tin can cause the "Door Ajar" alert lite to stay on fifty-fifty if the door is closed. The aforementioned trouble can cause the anti-theft alert to go off randomly. Sometimes it happens in rainy weather, when water penetrates into the door lock actuator and shorts the switch within.

If the bolts that hold the door lock actuator come loose, it will crusade the door not to lock properly.

How the door lock actuator is tested

Checking the voltage at the door lock actuator connector

To diagnose, your mechanic may demand to take the door cover off, check the door lock linkages and exam the voltage at the door lock actuator, following the wire diagram. The voltage is measured when the power lock push button is pressed. If there is a voltage, simply the actuator doesn't work, the door lock actuator is bad and needs to be replaced. If there is no voltage present when the power lock switch is operated, the trouble must exist traced farther using the electrical diagram. It could be a main door lock switch, broken door wiring harness, bad connector, failed command module or merely a blown fuse. Read also: how to bank check a fuse.

How can you tell which door lock actuator causes the alarm to become off?

If you suspect that one of the door lock actuators is causing the alarm to go off in rainy weather, the get-go step is to check the weatherstrips to a higher place the door locks.

Gap between the weatherstrip and the door post Lubricating door locks

Water tin get inside the door lock actuator if the weatherstrip right to a higher place information technology does not seal properly.

For example, in the photo (click to enlarge) you can see the gap in the weatherstrip which is the easiest way for h2o to get inside the door lock actuator below. One of our friends fixed the random alarm that was going off in his automobile on rainy days by sealing these gaps in all the doors and lubricating the door locks and the torso/tailgate locks.

Cheque if all the doors close smoothly and the "Door Ajar" light turns off every time the door is closed. If the light sometimes stays on and sometimes turns off when endmost one of the doors, the switch in that door is the likely culprit. If any of the door locks look rusted, it'due south a good idea to lube them with a proper liquid lubricant.

If no obvious fault is found, this problem tin can exist diagnosed at your dealership. In some cars, the mechanic can run into which door (or the trunk or the hood) has triggered the alert for the concluding several times using the dealership browse tool. If the scan tool shows that multiple alarms were triggered by the aforementioned door, the door lock connector and the actuator must exist inspected. Often, replacing the afflicted door lock actuator solves the problem.

Door lock actuator replacement

Replacing a door lock actuator

Replacing a door lock actuator at a dealership may toll $lxxx-$180 labor plus $120-$270 part (OEM). Aftermarket parts are cheaper ($50-$120), merely they are not available for all cars.

How piece of cake is information technology to replace a door lock actuator equally a DIY projection? We would rate information technology at half dozen on a scale from ane to 10, with 10 being the most hard. The door comprehend needs to be removed. The admission inside the door is limited and you would demand a small flashlight to see inside the door. In some cars, the window regulator together with the window or the outer door handle may as well need to be removed, which is often tricky. The most difficult part, though, is to properly connect all the cables and links after the new door lock actuator is installed.

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Source: https://www.samarins.com/glossary/door_lock_actuator.html