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Door lock actuator replacement instructions

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD TAURUS
  • 131,000 MILES
Rear power door lock makes a stripped gear noise when locking. You have to hold the lock button down so it will pull the stem down. Sometimes it does it when unlocking. Is this the actuator?
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013 AT 7:18 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

Here is the door lock actuator information you requested. Here is a door panel removal for you to view to gain access to the actuator:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

I've attached picture steps below showing how to replace the rear door actuator on your car. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 2:46 AM
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
Small issue here, the front passenger door lock is starting to fail. Whenever I unlock all the doors with the key fob or the door lock/unlock button, that will be the only one not to unlock. I can see that it makes the attempt to, but it will not. I know it is the door lock actuator that I have to replace for that door but I have not been able to find an instructional video on how to do that online. Any help?
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

I don't have a video, but will provide the directions for replacement. You will first need to remove the door panel. Here are the directions for that. The attached pictures correlate with all directions.

______________________
REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

Picture 1

2. Remove the front door trim panel screws.
3. Remove the front door trim panel.
- Disconnect the electrical connectors.

NOTE: To release the door trim panel two part pin-type retainers, first pull outward on the bottom of the door trim panel.

INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
______________________
Once you have the panel removed, here are the directions for actuator replacement.

PROCEDURES
REMOVAL
1. Remove the door ajar switch.

Picture 2

2. Remove the door lock actuator.
1 Lift the locking tab.
2 Slide the actuator off the latch assembly.

NOTE: When installing the door lock actuator, the actuating lever must engage the actuating pin.

INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

___________________________

I realize these are somewhat vague, but they are right out of the manual. Let me know if I can help or if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
Thank you, what I really wanted to know was if there are any screws or bolts to be removed in order to take off the actuator? It just slides off? The locking tab is what holds it in place?
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

It is held in by a a couple retainer tabs. Once the latch is out, release (I believe 2) tabs and pull it off the latch assembly. No bolts on the actuator. It rides on two slides.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
Awesome, thanks. Ordered the new part and it will be here tomorrow.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
No problem. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
I actually had a $20.00 rewards credit from AutoZone so I just picked it up for $15.00. Will let you know how it goes.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAKAMAMAMA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
How do you remove the door lock actuator for Drivers side door?
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
Okay, I cannot seem to figure this out, how to unlatch and disconnect the actuator.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I am attaching the instructions below on how to replace this part. Also, here is a guide on how to remove the door panel:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Let's run through this material and let us know if you have questions. Thanks
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Welcome back:

If I recall, in 02 you need to remove the door latch assembly, remove it, and then the actuator will slide off it.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,400 MILES
Hey everyone, back again after a while (thankfully). This abrupt issue popped up on me, nothing major though. The front passenger door lock will not unlock all of a sudden and I do not know why. As shown in the attached videos, neither the key fob or the lock/unlock buttons on the doors will unlock it. You can also see that it is the only door which will not unlock, every other door lock except that one will lock and unlock with the door function or my key fob. You can notice that it makes an effort to rise up and unlock but it seems to lack the power? It will lock however if I raise the lock manually, but that is all (also seen in the videos). I do not know if it is a blown fuse as I cannot find one on the Ford diagram regarding the power locks, my guess is that it is the door lock actuator. What do you guys think?
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey JGONZO2398,

Sounds like you have an issue with the door lock actuator.

Can you hear the actuator working inside the door or no sound of movement?

You will need to remove the drivers door panel, unplug the drivers door lock actuator and test for voltage between the two pins on the actuator plug while you lock and unlock the vehicle.

You should get 12 volts and the -12 volts for lock/unlock. You can also check this with a test light between the two pins and you should get a bright flash on each actuation.

If you have this voltage present then you will need to replace the actuator.

I have attached the instructions to remove the door panel.

Hope that helps, any further questions do not hesitate to ask.

Regards, Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
Wow. Guess what? Drove somewhere just twenty minutes ago and when I got in the car, the lock started unlocking with the key fob and the door button.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGONZO2398
  • MEMBER
  • 356 POSTS
No wait, just checked it again, I went outside with my key fob and unlocked all doors, all of them unlocked, I locked it once again then tried to unlock all of them and that same passenger would not unlock, every other door did though? Seems to be the actuator giving out.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey JGONZO2398,

Sorry I was referencing the drivers door before but the passenger is the same.

It is very possible the actuator is going out and causing your problem. Even the shock from opening and shutting the door can get the actuator going again temporarily.

If it works now that rules out the actuator rod not being connected.

You can either wait until it faults again and then check the voltage as I said before or swap out the actuator and monitor it.

Hope that helps.

Regards, Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARDWORKINKAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD TAURUS
Electrical proble 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

How to remove and replace driver power door lock actuator
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You will need to remove the door panel first. The lock actuator is built into the door latch assembly. Here is a guide and a diagrams (Below) to help you get the job done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COLTMAN66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
That worked perfect, I love this site, Thanks!
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 8:22 AM (Merged)

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