Door lock actuator

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Larryjb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
1,025
Given the very few youtube and instructional posts on replacing these, I assume door lock actuators are a relatively rare occurrence. In the one good video I saw, the guy removed all the rods from the door handles first, which involved removing both door handles. This is one reason I waited this long to do the job. I didn't want to have to remove so much stuff.

When I got into it, you don't need to remove door handles at all. You can pop off the rods from the actuator/lock assembly first, then remove the assembly. Then you must remove two small screws that hold the actuator to the lock mechanism, carefully cut and remove the security sensor, and glue it onto the new actuator. Once the glue dries (I used JBWeld), you just screw the lock mechanism to the new actuator, and reinstall it into the door.

If anyone is interested, I took pictures and can post a more clear set of instructions.
 

ScottyBoy

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Posts
2,556
Reaction score
1,710
Location
Shreveport, La
I had the one in my driver's door fail twice. First time it was still under warranty so the dealer replaced it back in 06. Then it went bad again several years later, and I just replaced the entire latch/lock actuator assembly with one from the junkyard that I scored for 25 bucks. It's been working fine ever since.
 
OP
OP
L

Larryjb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
1,025
This is for a 2002 Tahoe.

After removing the inside door panel and pulling the rain shield back, this is what you'll see.

1) Using a blade screwdriver, pop out the rod connecting the inside door handle to the lock mechanism circled in red. There is no need to remove the rod from the door handle itself.
lock mechanism 01.jpg

2) Using a blade screwdriver again, pop off the rod connecting the inside door lock to mechanism circled in red.
lock mechanism 03.jpg

3) Push indicated tab outward until you can release the plastic catch. Careful to not break the plastic. This took two hands. One to push the release tab, a second to pull the catch open.

lock mechanism 04.jpg

4) You can now remove the rod connecting the outside door handle to the mechanism.


lock mechanism 05.jpg

5) Unbolt the lock mechanism from the side of the door. It is easier to pop off the remaining rod after the door lock mechanism has been unbolted.

lock mechanism 06.jpg
Continued next post...
 
OP
OP
L

Larryjb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
1,025
6) Remove electrical connectors. There may be two or three.

lock mechanism 07.jpg


7) Remove small torx screws.
lock mechanism 08.jpg

9) Actuator will begin to fall away from mechanism. However, the sensor is still attached (circled in red).
lock mechanism 09.jpg

10) Sensor is now released from mechanism.
lock mechanism 12.jpg

11) Actuator rod fits in here, in case you forget how it goes together!

lock mechanism 13.jpg
 
OP
OP
L

Larryjb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
1,025
12) You must cut along the yellow line with a sharp razor knife so you can move the sensor to the new actuator. This is a lot easier than it seems. Once cut free, clean surfaces with a file, then glue onto the new actuator. I used JBWeld and left it clamped to cure overnight before reinstalling.

lock mechanism 14.jpg

13) Installation is pretty much the reverse of this process. The actual work took me a couple of hours, and I work slowly. I'm sure many here could do this in 1/2 hour, not counting the time it takes for the glue to cure.


Remember that your door latch mechanism will not be installed while you're working on it. I installed the door latch overnight while the sensor was curing on the new actuator.
 

08HoeCD

Full Access Member
Joined
May 6, 2016
Posts
2,052
Reaction score
1,931
Door lock actuators are one of the most common failure points in these trucks. The motor is signicantly under-torqued for the actuator cycling over the average life of the vehicle, so they ultimately burn out.

I've replaced two in the past ten months or so. First attempt is moderately challenging but successive efforts are a piece of cake.
 
OP
OP
L

Larryjb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
1,025
Door lock actuators are one of the most common failure points in these trucks. ...

When I get a chance I'll take apart the broken one and see if it can be repaired. Aftermarket actuators tend to fail much sooner than OEM, so I either need to know how to fix them, or buy a few future replacements.
 
OP
OP
L

Larryjb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
1,025
I buy replacement actuator assemblies from GM Dealers selling on ebay and they cost about $100. Crossing my fingers that they last a few years.

Others, who are far more technically capable and patient than I am, have gone with buying a new motor and tearing into the assembly to replace it:

http://www.gruvenparts.com/2007-2014-gm-door-lock-actuator-repair/


The 2007+ actuators look completely different from the 2000-2006 ones. It's really not bad to change the actuator on the pre 2006 models.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,665
Posts
1,802,934
Members
91,575
Latest member
Beat Ta hoes
Top