Have 2000 Safari & having issue with power door locks.
When they are activated (either to lock or unlock) sometimes they work just fine. Other times will seem weak and only push/pull the door lock mechanism part way so you can't be sure if the door is actually locked/unlocked. A definite thunk is heard indicating that the solenoid is being actuated. This first happened with the driver door so I pulled the interior panel and disconnected the linkage from the solenoid so I lock and unlock this door manually (dealer price for a new actuator was $80 each). A couple years later and now the front passenger side door is having this same problem. A little annoying to think you've locked the doors with the power lock switch and find that it didn't work. Passenger side slider and rear hatch (dutch doors) still working fine but if GM put cheap actuators in then I expect these to fail at some point too.
Anyone else have this issue? Is the best way to handle this to lubricate door lock mechanism or something else? Everything is factory and it hasn't been in any wrecks (tho I have taken it on some rough forest roads) so I'm not thinking that binds are the problem.
If replacing the actuators is the answer, maybe someone can suggest a good place that sells quality parts for less than dealer $ ?
Any replies or suggestions appreciated, Thanks
jmx53
When they are activated (either to lock or unlock) sometimes they work just fine. Other times will seem weak and only push/pull the door lock mechanism part way so you can't be sure if the door is actually locked/unlocked. A definite thunk is heard indicating that the solenoid is being actuated. This first happened with the driver door so I pulled the interior panel and disconnected the linkage from the solenoid so I lock and unlock this door manually (dealer price for a new actuator was $80 each). A couple years later and now the front passenger side door is having this same problem. A little annoying to think you've locked the doors with the power lock switch and find that it didn't work. Passenger side slider and rear hatch (dutch doors) still working fine but if GM put cheap actuators in then I expect these to fail at some point too.
Anyone else have this issue? Is the best way to handle this to lubricate door lock mechanism or something else? Everything is factory and it hasn't been in any wrecks (tho I have taken it on some rough forest roads) so I'm not thinking that binds are the problem.
If replacing the actuators is the answer, maybe someone can suggest a good place that sells quality parts for less than dealer $ ?
Any replies or suggestions appreciated, Thanks
jmx53
