DaveMcKenz

Hi,
I thought this would be a variation of the broken clip/actuator rod door handle problem. Maybe it is. I pulled the interior door panel and it looks like both the door release and lock have the clips and levers all in place. When I turn the key in the passenger door lock, the lock rod moves up or down and the driver's door locks or unlocks, but the passenger door never locks. Same when I try to lock with the electric push button. Do you think this is internal to the door handle or the lock actuator? How difficult is it to pull the door handle? It looks like it would be hard to get at the clips and bolts, but I didn't want to start pulling things until I had a notion of what is wrong.
Thanks in advance,

chanh55

It is the door lock actuator, I had the exact same problem. You can probably get one from CL Member Name: Aliga if he has stock. Goodluck.

DaveMcKenz

Can I pull the actuator without removing window tracks etc?

chanh55

Yep... you should be able to. Just remove those hex bolts and wiggle it out. Actually I remember loosening one of the window track bolts to pull it out of the way to make room to remove the actuator...

DaveMcKenz

Thanks,
I ordered part and I'll give it a try.

chanh55

Goodluck. Let me know if you have anymore questions...

HmoobSC300

I had a similar problem with my passenger side door. thought it was the actuator but the cable just needed to be pulled. try and see if that solves your case.

Krupski2

Bizzare, I thought there would not be that many people with this problem.

My rear door is doing the same thing. I am going to open it up tomorrow morning and take a look at it. It seems that when I lock it after the car has been in the sun all day, the rear passenger door will lock - and then unlock. I have to manually lock it for it to work. I think it is the cable - but it is odd that it only does this sometimes. But, if the car has been in the garage for a while, it will lock without a problem. It is odd - almost like the actuator is dying - but not dead yet.

I will post tomorrow if it is the actuator.

RGW LLC

iTrader: (50)

YES, that's what you need, the door lock aculator assy, we have many of them in stock...for driver or passenager door...pm us for details...thanks

DaveMcKenz

It WAS the lock actuator. I got a used one from Ali Gazi (Aliga?) from CL. It was $100 shipped and I got in 3 days. It took me about 2 hours to swap out the unit. I learned a few things that may help others:
1. Pulling the interior trim is standard and described on this forum.
2. I used a T30 torx bit (star shaped) to removed the 3 screws at the door edge
3. You don't want to break the plastic snap clips that attach the actuator arms to the door handle and lock cylinder. Each has a hole that receives an L-shaped end of metal arm and has a locking clip which rotates down over the straight part of the arm. To remove arm, first pivot the locking clip to release arm and pull (pretty hard) to get the L-shaped end out of the hole in the plastic clip. Install is reverse.
4. You must remove the two bolts which anchor the bottom half of the rear glass guide. One is near bottom of door and the other is just beneath the trim at bottom of window sill trim. Then you can forcefully move this guide enough to work the actuator out around the back and inner edge of the window guide. You might not think it will fit but it does and putting in the new one is exactly the reverse. Make sure the arms go in first.

Good luck and thanks for the great advice.

aliga

iTrader: (147)

u can get away with removing only one of the lower screws. but be careful, the screw strips easily. they should have used a 10mm bolt instead of a philips.

kmbishop11

Great info! Thanks Dave for the step by step!

aliga

iTrader: (147)

if you need it,i have it.