Now, before anyone yells search at me, I did. I found a ton of completely useless threads, nothing to do with what I was looking for.

I remember seeing something on here, a tutorial on how to clean the door lock motors.

I just got an alarm installed today, and in order for it to be perfect I need to either clean, or replace these motors.

So, how do I get to them, how hard, and how do I clean them? Would I be able to do this within a day and a half time?

Sorry for asking a question that I am positive is always asked, but the search didn't bring me results.

 

you'll ahve to take the door pannel off. once that's off you'll have to take your rain guard off(sheet of plastic) then you'll eaisily be able to find the actuator. they are rivited in place so you'll have to drill them out and get screws to put them back in...as far as cleaning them...I'm not sure ,I've always just replaced bad ones...

 

Good for you to be smart enough to install an alarm. It seems that the vast majority of these 3rd gen cars get broken into at least once in their lives.

I'm also in the process of tring to sort out all the useless threads that are attatched to this 'search' as I also wanted to know if I could just clean them or if it's better to replace. If replace is the best option, I'd sure like to know if there's a 'better' aftermarket unit out there that'll last longer then the short life GM units...
Nitro

 

I'm not sure about something with longer life. I've always used OEM replacments.

 

Spray a little white lithium grease on the boots and see if they improve.

 

Can I just leave them in there and do that? That is more than likely my problem, they work to an extent, they don't fully lock or unlock the locks, they just move partway..

But, if the motors are cheap enough and I do need to take them out, it would be more worth my time to just replace them while I am there.

Edit: And neagan, sadly, I didn't do the install myself.. I probably could have given I had the time and instructions.. but I had a stereo shop do it. And, the reason for getting it was because it was broken into. So, hopefully this will prevent another break in once I get another stereo in there.

 

I bought a replacement for mine out of an IROC, but ended up just WD40ing the *&#@ out of my old one and now it works great. Before it would stick and not lock all the way, now it functions as new.

 

I will defenitely be trying this, or that lithium grease.

 

how did you take the dor pannels off? wath did you start with? screws or just pull of? Thanks!

 

you have to take off the armrest then the peice of plastic the door locks are on the the door panel stays on with little plastic clips...


BTW from what I've read this not fully locking problem is really common....

 

There are screws around the door handle that hold it on, there are screws on the underside of the arm rest that hold it on, and that's pretty much it.. it pulls off from there. I haven't taken it off to do this yet, but have had it off before.

I to have heard that this problem is common, I just hope that it's an easy fix. Does anyone know what the motors usually run brand new from just a normal auto part store, or can an auto part store get one?

The stereo shop that installed my alarm told me that they do doorlock motors, but I'm not sure if I have to get the parts or not.

 

Thank you!

 

Mine did the same thing. I replaced the lock motors and it did not help. Then I looked at the bracket that the lock assy rod goes through. That had spread out over time and that was the problem. Took them off and closed the gap and they worked just great.


You might give that a try

 

I'll defenitely keep that in mind.

Should be able to do this this weekend, hopefully.. was going to do it tonight, but work was just ... if you know what I mean.