Ok i am trying to help my mom out right now. Her door locks on her 92 2.3 (yes i know this is 5.0 area but door locks are the same)have not been able to lock or unlock useing the key from the outside, it was like when you put the key in it would turn a little and then it would be hard as hell and would stop and not let you go either way like something was jamed up. Anyways the power locks both finaly stopped working alltogether now. I figured the reason the keys wouldnt work was because of the actuators were stuck. I just changed out the driverside accuator tonight and it will lock and unlock with the power lock button but when i try it with the key it is still the same way as before i changed it...what can be the problem both driver and passenger side are like this. Kinda defeats the purpose of changing them for her if she still cannot lock the door.(if i cant figure it out i guess i can always install keyless entry but i want to find the original problem) Any sujestions? Yes i have read thru the posts and i cant find anything on this all say its the actuator.... Thanks in advance !!!Door lock issue?
- Thread starter stangz4life
- Start date
Ok i am trying to help my mom out right now. Her door locks on her 92 2.3 (yes i know this is 5.0 area but door locks are the same)have not been able to lock or unlock useing the key from the outside, it was like when you put the key in it would turn a little and then it would be hard as hell and would stop and not let you go either way like something was jamed up. Anyways the power locks both finaly stopped working alltogether now. I figured the reason the keys wouldnt work was because of the actuators were stuck. I just changed out the driverside accuator tonight and it will lock and unlock with the power lock button but when i try it with the key it is still the same way as before i changed it...what can be the problem both driver and passenger side are like this. Kinda defeats the purpose of changing them for her if she still cannot lock the door.(if i cant figure it out i guess i can always install keyless entry but i want to find the original problem) Any sujestions? Yes i have read thru the posts and i cant find anything on this all say its the actuator.... Thanks in advance !!!
k4mjk
New Member
pull the locks out and see if they turn (there is a tab inside the door jamb) if they do then the lock mechanism is stuck i would use WD40 on it and try to break it free years of grime and lack of lubrication will do that
Here is a update..i thought the same thing as you did ,but i just took off the passenger side actuator and tried the key and all works fine once the acctuator is off there. So i installed the new one and once i did that it went back to the same thing where the key will not turn. I just dont get it ...it has a new accuator that works fine but now it seams to hard to turn the key like the accuator is to hard to move up and down with the key. Just a note the ones i installed are not factory ford they are form late model restoration i just bought the kit. Man its pissing me off. Brand new accuators and she still wont be able to lock the doors..unless she wants to open the hatch and crawl to the front..........any more ideas????
I got that same kit from 50Resto...the actuators are STIFF as crap and take a while to break in before they will be nice a easy. I thought I was going to break the key off the first time I tried to use it...after about a month of locking/unlocking they loosened up significantly.
Don't waste your money on door lock actuators from some expensive Mustang specialty store. There is a better way...
Follow this link to fix your door lock actuator problems: Mustang Door Lock Actuator Retrofit
Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?
A new actuator for less than $5. Fix one side for $18, do both sides for only $25. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.
Here’s a picture of the new actuator installed:
Follow this link to fix your door lock actuator problems: Mustang Door Lock Actuator Retrofit
Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?
A new actuator for less than $5. Fix one side for $18, do both sides for only $25. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.
Here’s a picture of the new actuator installed:
So this is the norm for new accuators you are saying? Dam they are stiff as all hell !!!! Yes jrichker i saw your posting of that fix in just about every post involving door actuators ...looks all good but i am just the buy the correct part and replace kinda guy. The kit isnt to pricey really. But thanks for the link though. I am sure others have found it really usefull. I just hope these things loosen up a bit.
k4mjk
New Member
squirt some wd40 on the shaft while it is extended and work it up and down it should loosen up
glowstang93
20+ Year Stangneter 
I thought the same thing, easier to just replace with the correct part. The fix is not that hard, just takes about 30 minutes at a good hardware store to get the parts and its easy as pie. They work so much better than the correct part.
I'm trying to check out the retrofit actuator link but it keeps taking me to a Bellsouth page. Is there a new link to the article?Don't waste your money on door lock actuators from some expensive Mustang specialty store. There is a better way...
Follow this link to fix your door lock actuator problems: Mustang Door Lock Actuator Retrofit
Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?
A new actuator for less than $5. Fix one side for $18, do both sides for only $25. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.
Here’s a picture of the new actuator installed:
Follow this link to fix your door lock actuator problems
You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Install for all versions
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/attachments/door-lock-actuator-fix-pdf.88290/
Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?
A new actuator for less than $7. Fix one side for $20, do both sides for only $28. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.
By the way, i am still using the same $4 actuators I bought in 2002 and this is the second Mustang I have installed them in! Beat that with your fancy replacements!
You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Install for all versions
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/attachments/door-lock-actuator-fix-pdf.88290/
Stuck with door lock actuators that don't work and don't want to pay the $50+ for a new one? Tried the junkyard ones and found that they last six months and freeze up?
A new actuator for less than $7. Fix one side for $20, do both sides for only $28. I don't sell parts, I don’t make any money off of the upgrade, I just tell you how to do it cheaply and easily.
By the way, i am still using the same $4 actuators I bought in 2002 and this is the second Mustang I have installed them in! Beat that with your fancy replacements!
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