Door Lock Actuator Replacement

[jonharis]

I'm guessing it's coming from the actuator gear and worm gear. I wonder if the worm gear and main gear are not meshing correctly? The worm gear could be spinning against the main gear could make a buzzing noise which stops once the lock cycle ends. The gears not being appropriately aligned could also make the buzzing noise.

So I performed this fix on my passenger side a couple months ago and ever since I did it, when I unlock the doors, the motor inside there makes this LOUD buzzing noise. I thought it would go away but it didnt, and then I decided to wait until I replaced the front door speakers, since they are blown, to fix it. I thought that maybe the cable was binding or something and causing the motor to keep spinning. Well I took it apart today and thought that I "unbound" the cable, put everything back together, and it still makes this awful LOUD buzzing noise when unlocking the doors! I mean it sounds like its electrocuting someone. Any ideas?

 

[studawg]

So I took the locking mechanism itself out of the assembly, plugged it up and hit the door lock button. When squeezing it tight, it was silent, when loosely holding it, it buzzed and vibrated. I had only ziptied it and didnt seal it with any adhesive or anything. So, I JB Welded it. I probably wont be getting back in there without some effort, but, I think I fixed my problem. Thanks for the response, jonharris, I was thinking what you where and was in the process of taking it apart again to make sure everything inside lined up.

 

[jonharis]

So I took the locking mechanism itself out of the assembly, plugged it up and hit the door lock button. When squeezing it tight, it was silent, when loosely holding it, it buzzed and vibrated. I had only ziptied it and didnt seal it with any adhesive or anything. So, I JB Welded it. I probably wont be getting back in there without some effort, but, I think I fixed my problem. Thanks for the response, jonharris, I was thinking what you where and was in the process of taking it apart again to make sure everything inside lined up.

Thanks for posting your solution. Good info for others in the future. Hope it holds up!

 

[tlarge]

2002 land cruiser door actuator

Just wanted to thank everyone that posted details on the door actuator motor fix and the details on door panel removal. Just bought a great 02 land cruiser but driver's side power locks were out and it didn't come with keyless entry. I figure a dealer or other shop would have charged close to $1000 to get this working ($300 for programming keyless entry, $350 for entire new actuator + labor). Thanks to this forum it cost me $115 ($100 for programmable keyless entry and $15 for two motors on eBay) and all went smoothly. My input on the actuator motor: I cracked the clamshell of the actuator containing the motor slowly with a flathead screwdriver and hammer. I did not heat it up to soften the glue, just went slow and it came apart cleanly. I used superglue around this tongue/groove when putting it back together along with the screw for the case, hopefully that holds up well. Will post if it doesn't.

 

[plrbear]

If you're looking for the motors themselves on ebay, zinky86 sells both the collared and uncollared versions, and the customer service is outstanding. The free shipping doesn't hurt either.

 

[pavieSD]

Hi All,

Quick question on this, I managed to get the entire panel removed and unplugged the actuator, but couldn't see how to remove the actual actuator from the inside of the door. There are 2 rods on the upper side of the actuator that are connected to the key lock and the door handle itself. I didn't want to break anything, but couldn't see an easy way to finesse those two rods off so I could remove the actuator itself. I searched for pictures with no luck. Everyone seems to have removed it without issue, so I must be missing something simple.

Any hints on how to disconnect the actuator and those two rods from the outside door handle?

 

[jonharis]

Hi All,

Quick question on this, I managed to get the entire panel removed and unplugged the actuator, but couldn't see how to remove the actual actuator from the inside of the door. There are 2 rods on the upper side of the actuator that are connected to the key lock and the door handle itself. I didn't want to break anything, but couldn't see an easy way to finesse those two rods off so I could remove the actuator itself. I searched for pictures with no luck. Everyone seems to have removed it without issue, so I must be missing something simple.

Any hints on how to disconnect the actuator and those two rods from the outside door handle?

I twisted and pulled to get mine off. Several people have broken the plastic clip when removing, and if you do that you need to either McGiver it or replace the whole assembly. The later will still be cheaper than taking it to the dealer. You are not alone in your struggle, I tried everything I could think of and got to the point where I was kicking and screaming at things. Finally I said screw it and forced it and it popped right off. I feel it could have just as easily broke though.

 

[SHUSH]

Hi All,

Quick question on this, I managed to get the entire panel removed and unplugged the actuator, but couldn't see how to remove the actual actuator from the inside of the door. There are 2 rods on the upper side of the actuator that are connected to the key lock and the door handle itself. I didn't want to break anything, but couldn't see an easy way to finesse those two rods off so I could remove the actuator itself. I searched for pictures with no luck. Everyone seems to have removed it without issue, so I must be missing something simple.

Any hints on how to disconnect the actuator and those two rods from the outside door handle?

I twisted and pulled to get mine off. Several people have broken the plastic clip when removing, and if you do that you need to either McGiver it or replace the whole assembly. The later will still be cheaper than taking it to the dealer. You are not alone in your struggle, I tried everything I could think of and got to the point where I was kicking and screaming at things. Finally I said screw it and forced it and it popped right off. I feel it could have just as easily broke though.

what timely post...I said screw it yesterday and got it off. I left the actuator in the door and managed to undo the screws and get the shell/clamp/ out.

I saw guys say they laid it in the sun and got it open to get to the motor...well....that didn't work...nor did cooking it at 350 in the oven!!! how the heck did ya'll get in there?

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Hi All,

Quick question on this, I managed to get the entire panel removed and unplugged the actuator, but couldn't see how to remove the actual actuator from the inside of the door. There are 2 rods on the upper side of the actuator that are connected to the key lock and the door handle itself. I didn't want to break anything, but couldn't see an easy way to finesse those two rods off so I could remove the actuator itself. I searched for pictures with no luck. Everyone seems to have removed it without issue, so I must be missing something simple.

Any hints on how to disconnect the actuator and those two rods from the outside door handle?

I had the same issue. I could not remove the actuator from inside the door. I spend hours trying to remove it. I eventually gave up and have got around to attempting it again.

My drivers side lock still works when it is cooler, but have issues when it gets hot outside, so I am good unitil the summer!

 

[re_guderian]

Hi All,

Quick question on this, I managed to get the entire panel removed and unplugged the actuator, but couldn't see how to remove the actual actuator from the inside of the door. There are 2 rods on the upper side of the actuator that are connected to the key lock and the door handle itself. I didn't want to break anything, but couldn't see an easy way to finesse those two rods off so I could remove the actuator itself. I searched for pictures with no luck. Everyone seems to have removed it without issue, so I must be missing something simple.

Any hints on how to disconnect the actuator and those two rods from the outside door handle?

It's been a while since I did mine, but on the forward one, take the lower part of the clip and rotate it up, towards the inner door panel first before trying to pull it towards the door jamb. (I think, or was it the yellow one behind it that flipped like that? ). Anyway, I have big paws, so I unbolted the exterior handle for more wiggle room and better leverage on the plastic parts. Use some masking tape on the outside so a dangling handle doesn't mar your paint. And you'll need and extension. Remove the sticker with the pink arrow to access the rear handle bolt, and you'll need to hold the handle in the open position while you loosen tighten the bolt. Good Luck.

 

[SHUSH]

so I got into it.....6 minutes at 350 made the shell so maleable that I pretty much used a flat head to pry into it. I used zip ties to reattach the 2 halves and will test it before full reinstallation. I mauled the shell badly and it's got duct tape and zip ties on it, but if it works and saves $800 im not complaining!

 

[pavieSD]

It's been a while since I did mine, but on the forward one, take the lower part of the clip and rotate it up, towards the inner door panel first before trying to pull it towards the door jamb. (I think, or was it the yellow one behind it that flipped like that? ). Anyway, I have big paws, so I unbolted the exterior handle for more wiggle room and better leverage on the plastic parts. Use some masking tape on the outside so a dangling handle doesn't mar your paint. And you'll need and extension. Remove the sticker with the pink arrow to access the rear handle bolt, and you'll need to hold the handle in the open position while you loosen tighten the bolt. Good Luck.

This picture was exactly what I was looking for and unable to find when I did a search on this. Thanks for posting! I'm glad we can get this into the relevant thread for future reference. I have some ideas, and went ahead and notated your picture with my questions. I think that I can tackle the brass rod now, but I'm still concerned about Rod #2 in my picture. Any thoughts from those who have done this already?

 

[petrotk40]

I just tackled my driver door today. my solution to getting that yellow clip off was to get some fishing line, loop it around and yank! the clip is designed to rotate and then let go. worked like a charm. Also, make sure to unbolt the window guide to get the assembly out

 

[cmassa]

I replaced the motors in both front doors a couple of years ago and this thread was a great resource. Today, the electronic lock mechanism for the rear glass/tailgate stopped working. Does anyone know if the rear gate lock uses the same motor? Any different tricks to replacing that one?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[petrotk40]

I'm 99.99% sure it uses the same motor

 

[jonharis]

Same motor.

 

[cmassa]

Thanks, I've placed my order.

Chris

 

[LoveMyLX]

Hi guys, so my drivers side door lock switch used to only lock the door but not unlock them, but now it has completely stopped working. As for the passenger side door lock switch, that controls the door locks with no problem. Do you guys think its a door actuator problem or am I facing an electrical wiring or failed junction box problem?

 

[jonharis]

Sounds like classic actuator failure syndrome. I assume the following is true?

You can lock the door with the Key.
You can manually lock the door from the interior.
The manual lever does not work or is very sluggish when you use the auto lock button.

 

[LoveMyLX]

Sounds like classic actuator failure syndrome. I assume the following is true?

You can lock the door with the Key.
You can manually lock the door from the interior.
The manual lever does not work or is very sluggish when you use the auto lock button.

Hi Jon thanks for the quick reply.
Basically I can do the following.
Lock the door with the key.
Manually lock and unlock the door from the inside.
Lock and unlock the door with the remote key fob.
Lock and unlock the door using the passenger side door switch.

On a side note my seat memory and side view mirror controls had stopped working too a couple of months ago before this lock issue happened. Do u think it can be related?