It contains both a latch and an electric motor (actuator) which controls the central locking. The latch opens or closes the doors, whereas the door lock locks or unlocks the vehicle. Today, all door latches are powered by electric drives.
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.
What is inside a central locking servo motor?
How does a Central Locking Motor work? The central locking system has 3 components and they are a key fob, a control module and an actuator. ... Inside is a set of gears that are powered by an electric motor and the last gear moves a rack and pinion gear set which in turn locks or unlocks the door.
What happens when a door lock actuator goes bad?
If the door lock actuators fail, they will disable the power door lock feature from working . This will require the driver to use the key to lock or unlock the doors, and can disable the power door locks completely for vehicles that do not use a traditional key, such as newer luxury vehicles.
What causes door lock actuator failure?
It’s most likely a failing door lock actuator. ... 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.
How much does it cost to replace door lock actuator?
Door Lock Actuator Replacement Cost – RepairPal Estimate. Labor costs are estimated between $87 and $110 while parts are priced between $202 and $225. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.
How does a central locking system work?
The mechanical explanation to describe your car’s central locking system function goes like this: Your remote button sends a signal to the door lock relay . The lock relay activates the lock actuator inside the door. The lock opens and grants access to the vehicle.
How long does it take to fix a door lock actuator?
Expect the replacement work to take one to two hours , including testing. Usually a bad or failing power door lock actuator will produce a few symptoms that can notify the driver of an issue that should be serviced.
Can a door lock actuator be repaired?
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 . ... If this cable breaks and it’s not sold separately, the whole door lock actuator may need to be replaced.
Can you drive with a bad actuator?
Can I drive with a blend door actuator problem? Driving with a bad blend door actuator may not be comfortable , but it won’t hurt the vehicle.
How do you reset a door lock actuator?
- Step 1: Position the vehicle. ...
- Step 2: Secure the vehicle. ...
- Step 3: Install a nine-volt battery saver. ...
- Step 4: Remove the door lock actuator bolts and the lock screws. ...
- Step 5: Disconnect the door lock actuator. ...
- Step 3: Take apart the motor. ...
- Step 2: Clean and reconnect the actuator. ...
- Step 4: Reattach the clips and cables.
What happens when an actuator goes bad?
If your blend door actuator has gone bad in some way, it’s basically one of two problems. ... If that happens, the blend door won’t work , and it’s likely your temperature will just be stuck on one setting with no ability to adjust the intensity up and down, or alternate between things like the lower vents or the defroster.
How can you tell if a door lock actuator is bad?
- Power Door Lock Doesn’t Work. A single bad door lock actuator can prevent one of your car’s power door locks from working. ...
- Power Door Lock Operates Erratically. ...
- Strange Noises When Operating the Power Lock. ...
- Sluggish Operation From the Door Lock.
Why won’t my driver side door lock or unlock?
The key fob battery is dead : This is one of the most common reasons why your car door lock is not working. If your locks aren’t working, replacing the battery in the key fob could solve the issue. ... A fuse is blown: If one door doesn’t work, but others do, the problem could be a blown fuse.
Can a bad 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 .
What does a bad door lock actuator sound like?
A failing door lock actuator may make a squeaking, grinding, clunking, clicking, or other strange noise from your car when you lock or unlock the door. A weak or failing door lock actuator may still be operating the door lock, but you may experience sluggish and/or intermittent operation from the door lock.
