I can't get my power locks to operate correctly, and I need help.

I replaced the buttons on the door panel because they worked occassionaly at best. Put in some new buttons and they working perfectly, however now I've run into another problem. The locking mechanism/rod will not move the entire/correct distance. This is on both doors, driver and passanger side.

For example, if the door are unlocked, hitting the lock button will move the rods however they will not move far enough to lock the doors. Occassionaly hitting the button several times will complete the locking, but that rarely happens. If the doors are locked, hitting the unlock button will again move the rods but not far enough to unlock the doors, repeatedly hitting the button sometimes unlocks the doors.

I've pulled off my door panels and inspected everything I can see. The rods and connections all appear to be tight and connected. The accuators seem to be fine in appearance and fastened to the inside of the door, althought the drivers side rivets are a bit loose causing some twisting movement in the door lock accuator - the passanger side is tight.

I do not know what else to do, help!! Its driving me insane. Thanks for any and all help in advance, sorry for the long post.

 

Its common. My car does it too. Kinda expected for a 17year old car. Make sure everything is greased/lubed up (i.e. all along the rods and such). That may help a bit, but its probably time for new door lock actuators. Mine at least will lock/unlock all the way after 2-3 times. Most of the time the first time pushes them far enough, but not all the time. I've just been too cheap to replace them, lol

 

yes my thoughts are the arm on the accutator doesn't move far enough.. it is overly lubed if anything.. the whole motor and rubber boot is covered in oil/grease and dust.. I just thought that since they are still functioning that there would be a fix or repair I can do on them without replacing the motors