Just changed both sides on a 1999 Mazda p/u. The trick is to slide a flat blade screwdriver into the door jamb latch and work the actuator off. You have to push it toward the outside of the door. It takes a little finesse working with both hands (one pushing the screwdriver and one inside the door cavity pushing on the actuator). It took me over an hour on the first one to figure that out. I changed the second one in about 10 minutes!
Good Lord almighty.... I just did this and even after watching your video, I had to completely remove the latch mechanism, the 4 rods and remove the whole damn thing from the door to take it apart. You are a damn magician.
I spent a solid 30 minutes on the first door, broke the old piece, and ripped it out after. Second door, I nailed it like you did in the video in less than 4 minutes. Thank you so much. Now I can be remodernized :)
+B_A_N_S_H_E_E Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Watched this video 25 times. The mirror and a good flashlight (like a light bar) made all the difference. Just go down from the metal hook st the top and you shouldn’t have any problems. Small screwdriver works best. BTW the OEM actuator I pulled out looked different than the replacement one. The new one (that looks like the one in the video) is smaller, but it does work.
Just completed this installation. When he says a small screw drive, that means small and short. A very tight fit. The biggest challenge is releasing that little finger lock holding the actuator in place - then wiggle and pry!!!. The mirror would be helpful, but it ends up being feel. Oh, he does not mention repositioning the door lock rod. the actuator on the side goes into a pocket at the bottom of the rod. It too two hours to install both sides
Before I saw this video, I removed the latch mechanism on the driver's door. Mistake! That was a bear. The passenger door, I used this method. A hour shorter!
Thanks for this video, figuring out the mount would have been tough without it. Took me 1.5 hrs and cost like $30 for parts for both doors. The dealer quoted $444.00 for the whole job. Just saved enough for a new set of tires.
I did this and there's some magic in getting that screwdriver in and . Not sure why Ford engineers made this so hard to maintain...they could have done this 1000 simpler ways . It's not an easy job! Anyway, use your phone to record a video after removing the harness. You'll see that the lock assembly pushes outward toward exterior against those L brackets. When I first watched this video, I thought it was a pin or clip, but it's two opposing L's and you can slide it/wiggle it, etc. With some lubricant the new one went in smooth. Thanks for posting these videos.
Terrific video - made this project a snap Although removal of door panel was somewhat different it's exactly how the door locks in my 2002 Ford F-150 work
Take a look at the latch inside the door. Sometimes the clasps in there get stuck in the closed position and will not grab the striker on the body of the truck. If this is the case you can usually pry them back open with a flat head screw driver and by also pulling up on the door handle at the same time. Hope this helps you out.
@realist2611 Usually when they need to be replaced they stop unlocking on occasion. We carry the replacement ones on our website. Here's a link to them. 1aauto.com/1A/DoorLockActuators/Ford/Ranger/1ADRK00002?ATony
@SubMasterT If you're just trying to add custom door lock knobs or pins, they usually just unscrew, and then you should be able to screw the new ones back on. You shouldn't need to remove the door panels. Hope this helps you out. Have a great day!
Great video! Thinking about replacing my auto locks and was wondering if i could do this myself but after watching this video i am ready to go. One question if you can help...my locks are making a noise like they should lock and slightly move but neither will actually unlock. Pretty sure the actuators need replacing but is there anything else i should check before i buy the new actuators? Thanks for any advise!
doing this myself only my truck doesnt have the old actuator installed still so if you would pull the latch mechanism out to show how it is mounted would help me a great deal.
You may want to see if there's power going to the door lock switch. If there isn't. Check the fuse to see if it's good. If the fuse is good, check the wire harness between the drivers side door and body of the truck to see if there's a broke or frayed wire that needs to be replaced. Hope this helps you out. 1aauto.com 888-844-3393
In the video you show actating the switch to make sure it works before reassembling the door. Later you show reconnecting the battery cable. Will the switch actuate with the battery cable unhooked, or did you reconnect it for the test?
@elliotjake You have to get the hole on the top of the door lock actuator lined up with the little metal bracket (or hook) inside the door,then the bottom of the alternator should pop into place. The video will show the bracket to look for that's up inside of the door. Hope this helps you out.
hi,great vid,very imformative great detail,i have a problem when unlocking my 2005 ranger pick up the alarm goes off,been told its the sensor on lock ,is that anything to do with the actuator, thanks mark.
Hi quick question here, My door won't lock by hand or with the electric switch. I suppose it's the actuator motor that's defective. Thereby, I cannot use the key either to lock it or unlock it as its frozen shut in the unlock position. I don't want to replace the actuator right now, I just want to disable it for now so I can lock my door from thieves. How should I disengage it from the actuator, it's hard to get in there as there is no maintenance opening slot like you have in this video. I have a 1993 Ford Ranger XLT Super Cab. Is there a pin that secures the arm to the actuator, or does the arm just pop off the actuator so I can lock it or unlock it manually with a key
@TheWhiteDevilll If they are bolts that are rusty, you could try to use some penetrating oil on them. They should help to break them free. Hope this helps you out.
@1aauto Thanks Tony, It's my son's truck and i don't know how they started to fail just that they will not unlock or lock.Both lock pins slightly move when i press the remote. Pretty sure they need replacing just don't want to buy a part that's not needed. Could the rod be bent or not connecting to the locking mechanism?
Now I have a manual lock and doors. An xl. The passenger side lock latch is loose I can’t find where I route it back through so when I turn my key it unlocks. When I turn the key I can here the latch clanking around on the inside of the door. I did get my door replaced from a truck farm. I heard the latch fall when I turned the key for the fourth time after the door was replaced.
I fought to put this back in for two hours this morning before giving up because it's too hot and my hand and patience were worn out. Even lining up the grooves with the metal flanges I couldn't get the thing to slide into place. And the window channel being in the way increases the difficulty, despite its bolt being removed. What other trick is there to getting this re-attached?
+RM Hutchins Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by show you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
I have an 02 ford ranger. Im wanting to switch out the lock nobs with after market nobs (not quite sure if that is the name or not. The poles that go up and down when you lock and unlock the doors). How exactly would I switch them out though? Also. How do I get the rear door panels off?
I am in a dilemma myself I open my door while driving about 20 miles per hour I did it to get my seat belt unjammed doing so I activated the PATS or securi system and now it has locked me out of starting the truck ( 1999 ford ranger xlt flew fuel all auto door and windows). I have checked the key and also looked at wires from transponder. My next area is the door area to see if there is a open circuit keeping the security system from resetting with my key. Any suggestions Im in dire straights.
do you have a video on how to install a door lock actuator? i got a 94 mazda mx6 and my passenger door has one and not my driver and i wanna install keyless entry.
My automatic locks don't work whether it's using the remote, or the button on the door. Would I have to replace actuators on both the driver and passenger side, or does the driver's side work for both.
my passenger side door lock is messed up and then all of a sudden today the door wouldnt shut if i replace that part would it fix both problems or just the locking?
I replaced my door actuator on 2000 ford ranger. It worked until I put all the panels on the door come to find out the to lock is so tight it wont spring up or down.
I have a 99 ranger just bought the new actuator and watched the video. It took me 2 hours to get the old one off an now my new one won't even go on properly. I've done everything the Video shows about a thousand times and im not about to spend 150 to have the dealership do it but this is ridiculous...
+Skate Monster50 We don't have a how-to video for your vehicle right now, but the basic steps in this video should be enough to do this task. Buy this part for your vehicle on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
There is no need to disconnect all the switches, the small panel with the switches easily fits through the large hole in the door panel. Why do extra work??
The door lock actuators may need to be replaced. Usually this is what happenes when the door lock actuators start to go bad. Here's a link to them on our website, if you would like to check them out. www.1aauto.com/1A/DoorLockActuators/Ford/Ranger?VideoReply&RU-vid&ATony
Your Awesome Bro! I watched it yesterday and just wanted some diagnosis advice. For now I think Im just going to replace the door cylinders so I can lock it. I just bought the truck and got locked out lol
If my power locks when i use the alarm switch and the switch in the door panel wont work it gives the signal but doesnt open or close the lock wont go up or down what can it be is it the actuartor too? Or a fuse or relay ????
How do I know if this is my problem? My driver side unlocks but my passenger side doesn't always unlock and sometimes my driver side doesn't unlock. is there a fuse that is related. I have a good battery so I know that's not it.
You may want to check the wire harness between the front doors and body of the car to see if there's a frayed or broken wire in the harness that may need to be fixed. Hope this helps you out. 1aauto.com 866-403-3393
Do you have a video on how to fix an excursions back window lock. I can't lock the back window electronically or manually with the key. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
+David Emshwiller You may want to ask the dealer if there is a way to enable this option if the vehicle did not come with power locks. It may involve adding a relay or fuse, power lock actuators, correct switches, and possibly a wire harness. Hope this helps you out. 1aauto.com