Is there a door lock actuator in every door?
Door lock actuators are an electronic component found on vehicles equipped with power door locks. They are the electronically controlled actuators in every single door that are responsible for locking and unlocking the power door locks when the switches are pressed.
Are door lock actuators wired in series?
Most of the door lock actuators are of the two-wire variety, no matter the manufacturer, OEM, or aftermarket supplier. Apply power to one wire and ground to the other and the actuator moves one way; reverse this and the actuator moves the other way.
How do door lock actuators 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.
Where is the lock actuator on a car?
Each door in your vehicle has what is called a door lock actuator on it. A door lock actuator is mounted on the inside of a car door, and it contains a series of parts in it including an electric motor, gears, and cables that connect to lock on the door.
What happens if the actuator on a door fails?
When the actuator fails (or starts to fail), you’ll likely notice one or more symptoms that make your daily commute less pleasant. One thing to remember is that there’s an actuator at each door. That means a faulty actuator will only affect a single lock. If none of the locks work, the problem lies elsewhere.
What to use to clean a door lock actuator?
Use electrical parts cleaner to spray off old grease that has built up on the brushes. Use 1000 grit sandpaper to clean up the copper drum on the coil shaft. Put a small amount of white lithium on the copper parts and reassemble the motor. This cleans up the electrical contacts for a proper connection.
How often should you replace your door lock actuator?
Generally speaking, you should only need to replace a door lock actuator once or maybe twice throughout the life of your vehicle, provided you don’t put any completely unnecessary wear and tear on them. What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Door Lock Actuator?