Door Lock Actuators
 

My driver's side door lock actuator grew gremlins.
I think.
It click-click-clicks while driving and the "door open"
light on the dash flashes on/off. I know it's not just
the door switch. I've dealt with that before and just
the dash light flashes, no clicking.
Anyway I plan to remove the door panel and look for
any shorts or loose connections.

I even bought a replacement actuator just in case.
I read the FSM re: actuator replacement. It says
you have to drill out some rivets to remove the old
actuator then rivet in the new one. Correct? WHY WOULD
THEY RIVET IN A REPLACEABLE PART? I'm surprised
they didn't locate it under the plenum.

Anybody ever have this problem? Fix?

TIA :cheers:

Ted

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

This is FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello Ted!

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Every door lock actuator on every power window car or truck I have ever worked on the OEM actuator is ALWAYS riveted from the factory. It its nutted and bolted its been replaced before. Sounds like your having a PKE issue Ted.

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Good point. But wouldn't both door actuators "click"?
Just the driver's side door clicks.

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

The intermittent nature of this sounds like a grounding issue. Just my .02.

David

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Do your locks work manually?

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Key and FOB both work locks normally.

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

No Ted when I Had a problem with my dads 96 his PKE system went haywire and would randomly pop the hatch open. You would get flashing lights and a clicking sound in the car. I was driving on the freeway at speed the first time when it happened which I admit startled me. We ended up replacing the PKE brain and reprogrammed the fobs and it never recurred again. As Mark Twain once said, "History never repeats itself, however it sure does rhyme.
GC

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Hi Ted,

'93 and up cars have automatic lockout protection if the PKE system is enabled. If the key is in the ignition and a door is closed an automatic door unlock cycle will occur. The driver's door or both doors will be unlocked depending on how the PKE system has been configured.

Turn the PKE system off and see if the door lock activity stops. If so, there is a problem with a door switch.

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

I don't know if it matters, but for years I have used an aftermarket FOB
(Viper) anti-theft/auto lock system on my Z. I haven't had a problem
(yet) with it. The factory FOB sits in my desk. Low Battery?

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

If necessary replace the battery and turn the PKE off by holding the door button for over two seconds or until you hear the locks cycle as a confirmation that the command was received.

If the battery is at 3.0 volts or more it's okay.

The door switch should not have a hair trigger. The switch should be adjusted so that the door moves back about 1/16" before turning on the interior lights.

If the pin at the tip of the switch needs to extend out more, pull the pin out and shim it with washers.

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Oh! I wonder if this is why my PKE system seems to be going a little looney. With the doors open or shut and the key in the ignition the locks randomly and continuously unlock themselves even if already unlocked.

This seven-year-old nugget of info may have steered me into a good direction to investigate. :cheers:

This URL may also be helpful for anyone needing PKE commands.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...repair-part-1/

Re: Door Lock Actuators
 

Not really knowing what your car is doing, door lock actuators being actuated while driving can be caused by faulty door light switch. My 94 was doing this and I tracked it down to faulty door light switch. These switches are self adjusting with plunger. As they age, plunder starts to permanently shorten itself to a point where the car starts to think you have opened and shut the door. With key in ignition, shutting of the door will unlock both doors. Door lights will flicker when this happens also.