Door lock actuators...

toofastforyou · Aug 2, 2016

Both my door lock actuators are defective and I'd like to replace them but my question is Who sell them?…Are they reproduced or must I have mine rebuilt ?
Any help is appreciated…

thanks,

Claude.

69SHEVL · Aug 2, 2016

toofastforyou said:
Both my door lock actuators are defective and I'd like to replace them but my question is Who sell them?…Are they reproduced or must I have mine rebuilt ?
Any help is appreciated…

thanks,

Claude.

Putting a set in my Nomad, Dakota Digital makes them :thumbsup:

Philip · Aug 2, 2016

Do they have a good ground?

zookpr · Aug 2, 2016

toofastforyou said:
Both my door lock actuators are defective and I'd like to replace them but my question is Who sell them?…Are they reproduced or must I have mine rebuilt ?
Any help is appreciated…

thanks,

Claude.

What do you have, original GM or aftermarket? If you have original GM your problem is most likely something other than the actuator. GM unit is a solenoid. As mentioned, might be a ground, fuse, or a defective switch (short or open), or other. No matter what type is i highly unlikely that both would fail at the same time.

toofastforyou · Aug 2, 2016

zookpr said:
What do you have, original GM or aftermarket? If you have original GM your problem is most likely something other than the actuator. GM unit is a solenoid. As mentioned, might be a ground, fuse, or a defective switch (short or open), or other. No matter what type is i highly unlikely that both would fail at the same time.

They're GM originals. What happens is that they do unlock rather easily but won't lock, like if they're "lazy" or if they don't have enough power. They seem to be working very hard to go into the "lock" position. And to answer "Philip's" question, yes the ground is good.
… And last, are the ones from Dakota Digital exact-fit replacements for the stock ones?

thanks,

Claude.

69SHEVL · Aug 2, 2016

Dakota Digital makes a complete kit with actuators, which can easily

be retrofited into any car.

But before you do that, be sure that all moving parts are lubricated

and moving freely in the door lock mechanism. :thumbsup:

toofastforyou · Aug 3, 2016

Thanks everyone for replying…however, no one answered my question in the initial post: Who sell them?…Are they reproduced or must I have mine rebuilt ?

Claude.

Philip · Aug 3, 2016

They are not reproduced and I do not know of anyone repairing them.

toofastforyou said:
They're GM originals. What happens is that they do unlock rather easily but won't lock, like if they're "lazy" or if they don't have enough power. They seem to be working very hard to go into the "lock" position.
thanks,

Claude.

IMO the latch assembly is your problem, either worn out or dirty. Had the same problem with the 82 Cadillac actuators used in my 77 Nova. Since new ones were available it was changed. Didn't solve the problem.The latch assemblies were removed and soaked in carb cleaner to remove all of the dirt and old lubricant. After lubricating and reinstalling the latch the actuator was able to pull into the lock position. Might want to try that first.

Before cleaning

after

zookpr · Aug 3, 2016

Philip said:
They are not reproduced and I do not know of anyone repairing them.

IMO the latch assembly is your problem, either worn out or dirty. Had the same problem with the 82 Cadillac actuators used in my 77 Nova. Since new ones were available it was changed. Didn't solve the problem.The latch assemblies were removed and soaked in carb cleaner to remove all of the dirt and old lubricant. After lubricating and reinstalling the latch the actuator was able to pull into the lock position. Might want to try that first.

As I got back to the thread I was thinking this is next because the original GM units are very reliable and strong, unfortunately they are heavy. Unlike the motor units GM started using in the late 70s and up that are prone to failing.

Not that long ago I had some '50s units out to weld on a tab for an actuator attachment and cleaned them up. They were quite tight, but another 15+ years older and the lube was solid. What a difference.

Great post! :thumbsup:

toofastforyou · Sep 5, 2016

69SHEVL said:
Dakota Digital makes a complete kit with actuators, which can easily

be retrofited into any car.

Mike…do you think I could use the Dakota Digital actuators but keep the stock GM door mounted switches? Also, I've looked on Dakota's site but all I've found are remote operated systems (which has switches on a key fob)...

Claude.

69SHEVL · Sep 5, 2016

toofastforyou said:
Mike…do you think I could use the Dakota Digital actuators but keep the stock GM door mounted switches? Also, I've looked on Dakota's site but all I've found are remote operated systems (which has switches on a key fob)...

Claude.

I would think that they could be wired to the stock door switches, but I can't be positive.

I may be going in a different direction with my Nomad. Alarm, power door locks, GPS system.

If I do not use the Dakota Digital set, I will send it to you. :thumbsup:

Should know in a few weeks.

Tom Mobley · Sep 6, 2016

Philip, those things sure cleaned up nice for you. The ones out of my 57 pickup were like that too. I spent time cleaning them up only to remember I've already got modern bear claw latchs to replace them.

toofastforyou · Sep 7, 2016

69SHEVL said:
I would think that they could be wired to the stock door switches, but I can't be positive.
If I do not use the Dakota Digital set, I will send it to you. :thumbsup: Should know in a few weeks.

Ok Great, thanks!

I think there must be a way to wire them to the stock switches. :yes: Let me know how much…

thanks Mike,
regards,

Claude.

pcguy · Sep 16, 2016

Hoping I'm not hijacking this thread - can I ask if anyone has a reference to a solenoid or power actuator that fits/connects to the existing latches?

Philip · Sep 16, 2016

All it takes to fit any actuator to the latch is the having a rod that runs from the mount location to the latch. The factory actuators bolt to the door directly under the latch with a rod that attaches to the hole for the power lock function.

This latch is from an X body. The locations of the lock attachments are the same as an A body

Actuator mounted in the wagon door

Lower 2 screws mount the factory actuator. Door is dimpled where the holes need to be drilled

Actuators can be mounted anywhere that a straight line can be made to the lock rod in the direction it moves. I have installed several by attaching the actuator rod to the interior lock rod.

This is a Cadillac actuator installed in a Nova

Philip · Jul 9, 2017

Claude did you ever find an actuator or something that will work in place of the factory one? The left rear on the wagon is doing the same as your two. Won't pull down hard enough to lock the door, the other 3 still work fine.

Door lock actuators...

toofastforyou

69SHEVL

Philip

zookpr

toofastforyou

69SHEVL

toofastforyou

Philip

zookpr

toofastforyou

69SHEVL

Tom Mobley

toofastforyou

pcguy

Philip

Philip

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