NEED HELP!! 98 Windstar rear sliding door Power lock failure

[irobbig]

I have a 1998 Windstar and only 54k miles. few problems to date fortunately. The right rear sliding door power lock is not working anymore. now Ford tells me that is a $400 dollar repair and they will replace the actuator. My question: I read the power lock actuator is in the dash behind the radio..... Now if it is a part in the door (I actually hear the motor make noise in the door when I lock/unlock), what part am I looking for and how do I remove the inside panel from the door without breaking it? I understand the panel is snapped in place, can I just pull it off and later install it again as easy or is it more complicated?
Any advise from someone who has done this before would really help!

[ModMech]

OK, there is a door lock module, that is behind the dash, and the ACTUATORS are inside he doors.

If you can hear is "working", it may just have become disconnected from the lock rod. In this case, a simple reattachment is all that is necessary.

I have not yet had the door panel off of the sliding door on our WS, but I know that on a Dodge van, they are a royal PITA because you can't get it with the door open, and you cant do it closed either. So off it comes, and they are VERY VERY heavy.

[dayoakam]

If you can lock the other doors and you hear the "motor" running in the sliding door when the lock button is pushed, then the control module is most likely good and the motor that drives the door lock is bad and must be replaced. They have cheap plastic gears inside the lock motor that often break or become loose after years of use. Expect Ford to charge about $80 for the part and $200 for labor. I found some cheapy lock motors in the All Electronics catalog that work fine with a little bit of manipulation of the mounting bracket.