Actuators are a technology that will deteriorate over time and cause some problems. This is all you need to know about troubleshooting door lock actuators and the cause of this problem.
In most cases, if only one power door lock does not work, the problem lies in the door lock switch or door lock actuator-although the problem may also be a less common circuit problem.
There are two ways to determine whether the actuator is malfunctioning:
1. Unlock the door by operating the remote device or keyboard
2. Press the unlock button on the door panel
If the door remains locked in one or both of these two situations, the problem lies with the actuator.
The best way to troubleshoot door lock actuators is-
Lubrication and cleaning
Generally, when the power door lock actuator does not work or only works at a time, there may be multiple reasons. The actuators may have begun to malfunction, they may be broken wires, or they just need to properly clean and lubricate the mechanism. Generally, if the door lock mechanism works intermittently, it may be due to things that cause friction between the gears, such as dust or foreign objects.
The solution to this problem is to disassemble the door lock assembly, clean it and properly lubricate it. In this case, a dry lubricant is better than any oil-based lubricant because it may attract dust and cause the problem to resurface.
Check switch
There are usually two switches used to control the door locks of the car. If only one of these two switches is working, it usually means that there is no problem with the door lock actuator, and the switch may be broken. This problem can be solved by repairing the switch or simply replacing it with a new one.
Key battery
In modern cars, there are at least two switches to operate the locking system in the vehicle. One of them is usually placed on the dashboard or door panel, and the other is located on the key. Usually, if the switch on the dashboard works normally instead of the switch on the key, it is because the battery of the key is dead. There are several ways to unlock your car manually, and these methods will be shown in the owner's manual.
If your lock system still does not work after replacing the key battery, there is a problem with the key. The key can be presented to the dealer for replacement or repair.
Wire repair
The door lock actuator is connected to its main power output by wires. Therefore, the wire interruption may be the reason why the door lock system is not working properly. If any part of the system does not work, it may result in the entire system not working properly or not working at all.
First, the door panel should be removed to isolate and identify disconnected connections that need repair or replacement. Once the connection is found to be poor or broken, it can be repaired or replaced according to the broken situation.
Replacement
Generally, when none of the above solutions are effective, the problem may lie in the door lock actuator itself. The actuator is a device based on electric motors and gears, which can lock and unlock the vehicle with the click of a button. But like all electronic devices, it may deteriorate or malfunction after a period of time. If your vehicle has this problem, the last thing to check is the actuator itself.
The actuator is located in the door panel, and the door panel needs to be removed to use this equipment. Once the device is disconnected from the door panel, it can be checked. Next, according to the condition of the actuator, you can decide whether to replace it. If the vehicle is very old, it is best to replace this device, as the problem may reappear after a period of time.
