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Interior and Upholstery Can't lock doors

  • Thread starter Thread starter emba129
  • Start date Start date Jan 24, 2022
E

emba129

Member
Jun 10, 2012
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4
13
Jan 24, 2022
#1
  • Jan 24, 2022
  • #1
I cannot lock the doors on my 93 Cobra. When I actuate the power doorlock switches I can hear the actuators trying to lock the doors on both sides. Each side moves slightly but will not go down. I tried to manually lock them on each side with the key and cannot turn either side .. and lastly, I cannot push peg on the top of the door down either on either side.

Do I assume bad door lock actuators? on both sides? Even though I can hear each side trying to lock each door? Im gonna pulled the panel to investigate. I figured if the actuators were dead this would be the symptom.

Thanks
Chris
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
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194
Kearney, NE
Jan 24, 2022
#2
  • Jan 24, 2022
  • #2
It’s likely the actuators. Unhook one and see if the knob works. The last one that siezed up on the passenger side got slow and weak, then stuck in the locked position. Between turning the key and my assistant pulling in the knob, we pulled the solenoid out of the bracket. It locked and unlocked manually fine after that.
 

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,527
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143
Roy, Utah
Jan 25, 2022
#3
  • Jan 25, 2022
  • #3
Damn straight the actuators are both seized
They are a tad expensive (about 125 each from Ford)
Punch the center out of the rivet before you drill it out (makes it easier)
You can do this as a test
Punch and drill both rivets in both doors. That will allow you to lock the doors but your actuators will be hanging and banging
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Jan 25, 2022
#4
  • Jan 25, 2022
  • #4
Before you drill out the bracket rivet, see if you can wiggle the actuator and bushings out of the bracket. If the bracket is fine, it makes installing repro ones quicker.
New ones will not last like they should. See post #6 here for jrichker’s better repair.

Door locks

88 GT. So I have replaced both door lock actuators and they do work. Kinda. You have to hit the button like 5-6 times and it barely moves. Then will finally unlock. I sprayed some penetrating oil on everything. Is there something I’m missing???
www.stangnet.com
 
Reactions: General karthief

Cheapskate207

The left one hangs a little lower
5 Year Member
Jan 12, 2020
761
541
113
Maine
Jan 25, 2022
#5
  • Jan 25, 2022
  • #5
https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-fo...-build-car-is-apart-again.913090/post-9239061
Check out post 189 of @Gravydog ’s thread.

InstallGear Universal Car Power Door Lock Actuators 12-Volt Motor (2 Pack) Amazon product ASIN B00CZBQCR2View: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZBQCR2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_7DZWQJXYMR31ZK0YQ5DB


These are a great option. They’ve been working fantastic for me and are very cheap.
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Jan 25, 2022
#6
  • Jan 25, 2022
  • #6
I got door actuators for my car from LMR about a year ago. They are still working strong. +1 on using the original brackets. The old ones will pop out of them. No need to drill out that factory rivet on a real cobra.

If it was my car I'd rather hit the yard for every early 90s ford I could find to get oem actuators. I know for a fact the old escorts ( pre 95 ) used the same ones. The Tempo was another one. You can test them with a 9v battery.
 
Reactions: General karthief

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,527
712
143
Roy, Utah
Jan 26, 2022
#7
  • Jan 26, 2022
  • #7
The new Ford actuators come with a bracket and a new rivet
I have half assed them and left the bracket on the door and just swapped out the actuator before too
IMHO they are loose after doing this but remain tight if you leave the factory bracket in place
As far as dorman goes they may fall right the hell off
 
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