2000 Door Accuator replacing??

We, like almost everyone else, had some -15 degree weather. My drivers door wouldn't do anything. I got it open but then it wouldn't latch shut. Not with a key or with the remote. The Nissan dealer said it was the accuator. Are these difficult to repair? Now that it is warmer, it is working just fine. I am thinking that it is just some cold weather related issue. Thoughts?

If it works, don't fix it!

We, like almost everyone else, had some -15 degree weather. My drivers door wouldn't do anything. I got it open but then it wouldn't latch shut. Not with a key or with the remote. The Nissan dealer said it was the accuator. Are these difficult to repair? Now that it is warmer, it is working just fine. I am thinking that it is just some cold weather related issue. Thoughts?

Ol grease freezees the mechanism - with moisture: pry panel open and soak the door corner inside with CRC spray or similar... (alas, u need a rag for few weeks to clean up the drippin overflow).

However, if its really the actuator box (motor&gears), the spray wont get in. Have to be replaced... (or opened and cleaned/new lube: No shop will do this.)

If u get fixed price for actuator replacement and fits u wallet, let em do it. They have to clean/lube the system while there... (make sure they REALLY do what they charge - by standing by). Or buy one via net and find a cheaper place 50% off ... and make do it again 3x?

Best way is to DIY learn uself....

Ol grease freezees the mechanism - with moisture: pry panel open and soak the door corner inside with CRC spray or similar... (alas, u need a rag for few weeks to clean up the drippin overflow).

However, if its really the actuator box (motor&gears), the spray wont get in. Have to be replaced... (or opened and cleaned/new lube: No shop will do this.)

If u get fixed price for actuator replacement and fits u wallet, let em do it. They have to clean/lube the system while there... (make sure they REALLY do what they charge - by standing by). Or buy one via net and find a cheaper place 50% off ... and make do it again 3x?

Best way is to DIY learn uself....

We pulled the panel off and soaked the inside area with a teflon lubricant. The latch mechanism seemed to work much better. I guess the best test will be when we have another sub zero weather.
I agree, I love to DIY. I always like to go to the local pay and pull and learn on the donor cars and then I am ready to work on mine.

We pulled the panel off and soaked the inside area with a teflon lubricant. The latch mechanism seemed to work much better. I guess the best test will be when we have another sub zero weather.
I agree, I love to DIY. I always like to go to the local pay and pull and learn on the donor cars and then I am ready to work on mine.

Thats the best way to 'learn'; quite often I first 'destroy' my own vehicle, then limp to get spares :(

Here's a pic I took from an actuator; its sealed. I guess they just never die... However, the grease will eventually dry... This one is from a stanza/bluebird -model which is just the same. See also for reference my 3gen -93 model door page at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/1993-nissan-maxima/page-13

Door actuator 'box' cover opened: motor and gears, main sprocket off (top left), two diodes and 'direction' contacts visible... (Contact tips usually burn on relays but here is no real currents - so I guess they 'never' burn.). I never have had any problem with these; this was opened just for fun (later installed into another vehicle manual door).
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2995/142/7485070709_large.jpg