Free Auto Repair Advice by Professional Mechanics
How Do I Repair My Car? /
How Do I Test and Replace
an Electric
Dower Door Lock?
How to Test or Change Electric Power Door Locks
(Always wear protective safety goggles and gloves before
work begins)
READ COMPLETELY BEFORE WORK BEGINS
The electric door locks inside of your car doors consist of a control switch,
the locking door latch and/or an electric control solenoid. When the control switch
is energized an electrical impulse forces the control solenoid to push or pull the
locking mechanism depending on the command selected. (Lock and unlock).
Step 1 - Identity Door Switches and Controls
The average vehicle door has basic controls for the different functions the door
performs. Interior light and safety reflector helps illuminate the interior of the
vehicle. When the door is open the light and the reflector alert people from a distance
your door is open. The electric window switch controls the electrical power to the
window motor. The motor turns a series of gears and/or cables to power the window
up and down. The electric door switch controls electrical power to the lock solenoid
actuator controlling the door to be locked or unlocked. A manual door lock switch
allows you to manually control the door lock setting. Most manual door locks have
an indictor letting you know if the door is locked or unlocked with a red panel when
unlocked. The door handle controls to door latch which holds to door shut. Most
door latches have two stages, the first stage the door will latch but not be fully
closed and the next stage the door is fully closed.
Step 2 - Removing door access panels
First remove all plastic access panels and screw hole covers.
Step 3 - Remove Control Switch Panel
Pry gently to remove the switch panel, (do not break). Removing the switch panel
is different in all cars. Some vehicles don't have a switch panel because it is
built into the door panel.
Step 4 - Disconnect electrical connector
After the switch panel is removed, release the connector safety and disconnect
the electrical connector.
Step 5 - Removing door panel mounting bolts
Locate and remove all door panel mounting bolts and/or screws. Some door panels
use a plastic push style fasteners. After all door panel fasteners have been removed
gently pull up and/or out on the panel and remove it. Remove all electrical connectors
to fully separate the panel from the door.
Step 6 - Remove plastic insulator
Most car doors have a weather and sound insulator. This will expose the inner
workings of the door; in this photo you can see the door lock manual control rod.
Step 7 - Removing connecting rods
There are three connecting rods that must be removed from the door lock assembly,
the manual lock control rod, the door handle control rod and the exterior door lock
assembly (outside the door).
Step 8 - Remove door latch/lock mount bolts
Remove the mounting bolt from the door latch/lock assembly.
Step 9 - Replace the door latch/lock assembly
After the door latch/lock mount bolts have been removed, release all electrical
connectors and remove the control rods and insert onto new latch/lock assembly.
Transfer control rods one at a time to avoid confusion. Most electrical connectors
have a notch and only connect one way. After transfer of the control rods and electrical
connectors reassemble door latch assembly. Note: before installing the door panel,
test the latch and lock operation to insure proper installation.
How Do I Repair My Car? /
How Do I Test and Replace
an Electric
Dower Door Lock?
Common Problems
- Electric door lock shorts out and fails to operate
- Door latch wears and will not close completely
- Connector rods become disconnected and cause failure of one or more door
latch/lock functions
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