I didn't see any how to's on replacing the door lock actuator so I'd thought I would post one up since I've done three on my truck. I noticed they were going bad when the locks would no longer work after sitting in a parking lot and heating up. They would only work during the early morning or night and I got tired of telling my passengers to lock the doors. I can post up some part #'s for all four doors if needed. Here goes:
Requirements
Skill level: Anyone
Time: Less than 30 minutes
Tools needed
10 mm socket
T30 torx
Flathead screwdriver
First remove the door panel by popping off the plastic plates behind both handles and the lock using a very small flathead. Unbolt the 3 bolts holding the screws and pry off the panel
![photo (2).jpg]( "photo (2).jpg")
Unhook any switch(es) under the switch panel depending on which door it is. Spin the panel upside down and locate the cable that attaches to the handle. Push both tabs in and pull off the cable. It should have a small metal ball at the end.
![photo (3).jpg]( "photo (3).jpg")
Look inside the door panel and find where the exterior handle latch attaches to the actuator. It should be a metal rod that is held in place by a yellow plastic piece. Using your fingers, pop the yellow plastic free from the rod.
![photo (4).jpg]( "photo (4).jpg")
Once the handle rod is free, use the t30 bit to remove all three screws and put them aside.
![photo (6).jpg]( "photo (6).jpg")
Once the actuator is free from the door it should be hanging by the interior lock rod. Pull the actuator so you can get a handle on the electrical connection. It has a little purple plastic piece on the top that you need to insert a broad flathead into and push up. When you push it up all the way (~1") it will push itself off of the actuator.
![photo (5).jpg]( "photo (5).jpg")
Next is the last attachment. Its the rod that runs on the interior to the top for the interior lock. Take the actuator and twist it so the rod comes out of the hole. Or you can cut the plastic with some pliers if its not coming out easily but only if you know for sure you wont use the old actuator.
![photo (7).jpg]( "photo (7).jpg")
After you just gotta pull it out and its a real tight space so you gotta wiggle it a bit. To put it back together just reverse the steps. Before I bolted it back onto the door, I attached the electrical connector and tested out the lock.
The new "improved" locks have different part numbers and according to the parts department at my dealer, part #'s have been changed several times. Here's a pic comparing the two.
![photo (8).jpg]( "photo (8).jpg")
It was an extremely easy fix although the price for parts was expensive. Now my locks even work in the sun and I dont have to go and manually lock each door. Hopefully it stays that way.
Requirements
Skill level: Anyone
Time: Less than 30 minutes
Tools needed
10 mm socket
T30 torx
Flathead screwdriver
First remove the door panel by popping off the plastic plates behind both handles and the lock using a very small flathead. Unbolt the 3 bolts holding the screws and pry off the panel
Unhook any switch(es) under the switch panel depending on which door it is. Spin the panel upside down and locate the cable that attaches to the handle. Push both tabs in and pull off the cable. It should have a small metal ball at the end.
Look inside the door panel and find where the exterior handle latch attaches to the actuator. It should be a metal rod that is held in place by a yellow plastic piece. Using your fingers, pop the yellow plastic free from the rod.
Once the handle rod is free, use the t30 bit to remove all three screws and put them aside.
Once the actuator is free from the door it should be hanging by the interior lock rod. Pull the actuator so you can get a handle on the electrical connection. It has a little purple plastic piece on the top that you need to insert a broad flathead into and push up. When you push it up all the way (~1") it will push itself off of the actuator.
Next is the last attachment. Its the rod that runs on the interior to the top for the interior lock. Take the actuator and twist it so the rod comes out of the hole. Or you can cut the plastic with some pliers if its not coming out easily but only if you know for sure you wont use the old actuator.
After you just gotta pull it out and its a real tight space so you gotta wiggle it a bit. To put it back together just reverse the steps. Before I bolted it back onto the door, I attached the electrical connector and tested out the lock.
The new "improved" locks have different part numbers and according to the parts department at my dealer, part #'s have been changed several times. Here's a pic comparing the two.
It was an extremely easy fix although the price for parts was expensive. Now my locks even work in the sun and I dont have to go and manually lock each door. Hopefully it stays that way.
