billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

my 99LS drivers door lock would not work with the remote (on key) or the button on the door, the other three would operate with button or fob.

I found one at a salvage yard today, and went to install it and my nephew checked the old one out, AND IT WORKED. put the new one in and it would not work. he checked it out and found the contact points were "burned" covered with black, cleaned them off and both motors work now.

maybe this will help someone else out, I hope so. good luck..

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

so what you're saying is to clean the contacts on the old one before chucking it?

most 2GS guys just replace them with small+cheap electric 12V DC motors.

i need to replace my driver's door one, when it gets over 95F here in socal its kind of hit or miss in terms of working.

black_LS

I don't think that's the problem most people have. Those actuators tend to go slowly. When I replaced mine (rear left) I had to hit unlock about 4 times before it fully unlocked. PD is right, those little motors tend to go out... I remember reading a writeup with pictures on the GS forums.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Can't win long term with the locking mechanisms. If you use the remote, the actuators die. Use the key, the cylinder wears the contacts that work in tandem with the actuators. Pick one. Given the age of most ours, they've done pretty well.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER A YEAR, AND IT IS STILL WORKING, with key fob & door button... smile

on the photo below, (this dosent look like my 99 unit, just an example) the two copper contacts (on mine) was blackened, we cleaned them, and it works... this might not fix anyone but mine... but it did fix mine... before he cleaned mine, he tested the motor out of the case, at the battery. and it ran strong, both directions... check yours out before you throw it away...

RA40

iTrader: (6)

What I've noticed is that the coarser the grit used to clean, the more arcing I've had with similar contacts like window switches. They become sooty pretty quickly and I'm back cleaning them. I don't know what they may coat the copper with from the factory but it tends to last a good spell before worn. I've replaced the window switches in the Maxima and Cressida because I grew tired of disassembling the switch assembly. Cost some $ bills but the alternate was to not use the windows.

It is too bad they don't use a conductive type of graphite composite like some of my machine motors use. Those are quite durable.

Keep us posted on the actuator workings.

mattylex77

I know this is an old thread but I'm having power locking issues w/ my 99 LS. I can't seem to pinpoint what the pattern of the malfunction is bit I know it doesn't lock or unlock properly on any door with the remote or the door switch. Some of the locks move halfway between lock/unlock. This cleaning of the contacts thing sounds like a cheap effective DIY fix but I wouldn't know where to begin. Anyone whose done this have any idea how to get in there???

Yamae

The problem is mostly caused by the clogged motor in the actuator unit. The dusts from the brushes make a conductive bridge between terminals inside. You can select 3 ways to fix it, if the problem is so.

The most simple but expensive way is to replace the actuator unit.
Just replacing the motor can fix the problem inexpensively.
The cheapest way is to clean inside of the motor.

I have fixed several acuator unit just cleaning the motor. Some needed to replace the motor though.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't know where to begin. Anyone whose done this have any idea how to get in there???

well, start with the back door, then remove the door panel, then look and find the door lock and have someone press the master switch and see what moves or tries to move at the lock.... take it out and take it apart... common sense should take over at this point, just do what is necessary to make it work properly and go to the next door...

PS, it has been four years and one FOB 3 button:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...0-fob-key.html
and mine is still working..

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I tried Yamaes fix but It did not work for me. User error most likely. I just picked up one from the junkyard and it's been working fine for a couple of months now. I actually found it easier to remove the window in the drivers door to replace. I had a hard time trying to wiggle the actuator out and if you do this fix be care not to break the plastic tabs that hold the levers in place.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ors-diy-3.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...tuator-or.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ml#post7990809

Yamaes fix
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/mae_yas/1405005.html