How To Diagnose Door Lock Actuator

In some cars the door lock actuator is positioned below the latch.

How to diagnose door lock actuator.

In the old days they remained a separate component mounted to the door shell. You should see the voltage polarity toggle with each switch activation. Pictured on the right is a typical door lock actuator they installed on automobiles 20 years ago. A rod connects the actuator to the latch and another rod connects the latch to the knob that sticks up out of the top of the door.

Car door lock actuators are designed to lock and unlock a door without the effort of pulling on a cable and rod. If the unlock button fails to unlock the door you can rule out the remote and take a long look at the actuator. If the actuators have any sort of internal or wiring issue it may cause them to rapidly lock and unlock unexpectedly or cause them to function intermittently. 2004 honda odyssey ex passenger m.

A metal rod then made its way to the door latch to operate the lock mechanism. The symptoms will get worse. Another symptom of a potential problem with the power door lock actuators are door locks that behave erratically. Unplug the door lock actuator electrical connector.

When the actuator fails or starts to fail you ll likely notice one or more symptoms that make your daily commute less pleasant. A door lock actuator is basically a reversible motor or a solenoid on some vehicles with gears that operate the door lock. Door lock actuator problems use to be simple to diagnose and repair. Door lock systems operate the actuator by toggling positive negative voltage to the actuator.

The concept of a door lock actuator works great until it doesn t. Then use your test light or digital meter to check for power and ground at the connector when you operate the lock unlock switch. Helpful guide on diagnosing power door lock problems with the passenger multiplex control unit and the door lock actuators. Power door locks do not function.

Usually a bad or failing power door lock actuator will produce a few symptoms that can notify the driver of an issue that should be serviced. A quick test can be performed from the driver s seat by using the electric lock button. Power door locks behave erratically.