I have a 1990 and the power locks aren't working. I was wondering if anyone has replaced actuators that could provide some advice to help me get started.

Thanks in advance!

 

Late Last year I replaced both door lock actuators as well as the power window motors and regulators on my daughters 91 2WD Lariet. Spent right at $200.00 for all the parts from Rock Auto. Not too difficult: removed interior door panels and peeled back plastic moisture shield - on the first side I drilled out the large rivet in the door jam and then bolted the bracket back in with a really shallow 1/4 fine thread screw and an MS (Aircraft) locking nut - a real PITA! Once I had everything out and looked at it I found out you can leave the factory bracket in and simply push the Dorman replacement unit into the factory bracket. Kind of tricky to get the rubber bushings back where they belong; would have been easier if I had longer skinnier arms..... but all worked well in the end - while I was at it, I pulled all the window and door lock switches and cleaned all the connections with a brass wire brush and applied a little ACF-50 (Aviation anti-corrosion coating) to everything and re-assembled. I briefly thought about how to wire in an aftermarket keyless entry but that thought passed. maybe for another day....


If you are just doing the door lock actuators plan a couple hours.


Regards,
ToddsSS, Benton, AR

 

I have a '90 that I changed the actuators on recently so I will chime in as well.


To add to what ToddsSS said, once the door panels are removed, I found it much easier to get to the actuator by removing the door panel grab handle screw mount and then also removing the lower bolt that holds the rear portion of the window track. By doing this (with the window up) you can see the actuator and rod running vertically to the door latch mechanism.


As ToddsSS said, pull down on the actuator and it should pop out of the riveted clip. If that doesn't work, try removing the three Philips head screws holding the latch mechanism to the rear of the door. This frees up all the parts and makes things much easier.


Two more things to mention is that with the Dorman actuators 1. use the long rod in the half dozen or so they give ya & 2. I had to straighten the plug on the actuator to make the factory plug work.


And, as ToddsSS said, make sure your connections are clean. I found one was working better than the other. I cleaned up the switches and both worked much more quickly afterwards.

 

Great details and clarification from clarkbre that I had forgotten!

 

Thanks Toddss and Clarkbre! Great tips and I think I'll go ahead and do the extra work Toddss recommends while I'm in the door already. I thought it was going to be much more work but you guys have been a great help! I'll let you know how it goes.