'08 Mustang Door Locks

[Snydly]

Hi,
First post here, and I'm not sure I'm putting it in the right place. Also, I don't want to ruffle any feathers, but I'm not sure if this is the best forum to put information about a repair, but I've been a member for a while and thought I'd start here.

I have no reason to submit this info other than wanting to give back. This isn't earth shattering info, but may help someone save a little cash and time.

My '08 Mustang started making a grinding noise at the electric door lock actuator on the driver's side. Eventually it wouldn't lock the door, but seemed to try every time you hit the lock button(s).

I ordered a replacement online, but as astute as I like to think I am, I failed to look for the proper LH or RH designation and ended up with the passenger side actuator. I then ordered the correct one, with one day shipping, as I had already taken the door panel off and tried removing the actuator. This was more difficult than I thought. I searched online for help, but found none.

Anyway, I finally got the actuator out and disassembled it looking for an easy fix, and I found one.

The actuator(s) aren't expensive online, less than 30 bucks apiece for Chinese brands, but the local stores wanted $50 for the cheap one and $80 for the BW brand.

If you run into this problem, I recommend you take the actuator out, remove the four allen head screws, take the cover off, remove the motor/cam/gear assembly and flip the small gear upside down, reassemble and re-install. I did this and it works like new.

The little cam assembly is a white piece of plastic about the size of a couple nickels stacked together, with an oblong 'cam' with one tooth per side held centered by a VERY small spring coming out of the plastic in the shape of a staple. When the motor turns, the cam assembly spins 'throwing' the cam in one direction which engages the small gear. Over time the harder 'tooth' on the cam creates a groove in the small gear where it engages as it spins. Simply turning the gear over gives the cam a new place to engage.

Getting the actuator out was the most difficult part of the repair. It slides on to two metal tabs which are part of the door lock. You have to unplug it and work it off these tabs. Also, if you haven't taken a door panel off, it can be tricky, but once you know how, you'll have no problem.

I'll check back here to see if anyone in the near future needs more details. I regret I didn't take photo's or video's of this repair, but I have the new actuators which I plan on keeping because they weren't too expensive, and if I send them back, you guessed it, I'll need them the next week. When I have time I'll disassemble one and take some pictures to make this explanation better.

Bill

[DeltaP]

Getting the door panel off is the easy part for me. I wouldn't try to deal with that little spring unless I first called the parts store and made sure he had one on the shelf !