Your Neighborhood Full Service Repair Facility
Convenient Financing Options Available
FREE Loaner Vehicle
Nationwide Warranties
Tuffy Sells Tires
January 1, 2021
What a convenience power door locks are on a vehicle. The latest don't even require you to push the button on the key fob; all you have to do is have it with you. But sometimes there's a component of power door locks that can fail, especially when they are used several times each day. Those are called the door lock actuators.
The actuator is an electric part that works with others (like motors and gears) to lock and unlock doors. You can hear them work, sometimes with the little whirr of the gear or the quiet clunk of the lock finishing its cycle. And it's good to pay attention to that sound because if it starts to sound different, it could be a signal that your lock is on the brink of failing. Another sign of a failing power door lock actuator is they start working intermittently or quickly and erratically. The driver's door is often the first to start acting up since it's the one that usually gets the most use.
When you start to notice these signs, consider a visit to your service facility to get your vehicle checked out. If you wait too long, you may find yourself getting locked out of your vehicle. Many vehicles do have mechanical keys available as a failsafe so you are at least able to get inside. Some of them are hidden inside the key fob and you should know how to access them. Check with your owner's manual or ask your service advisor.
It's extremely inconvenient to have to unlock your vehicle with the mechanical key, then get inside and unlock the other doors. It's even more inconvenient if you have passengers in the rear seats. And that doesn't even count having to go through the same thing to lock the doors when you arrive at your destination.
There are many things that can cause power door locks to malfunction, but if it turns out to be a power lock actuator, the most common remedy is to replace it. Some are easier for technicians to reach than others, depending on your vehicle's design. But once your locks are working again, you might think you've found the "key" to happiness!
Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Aurora
3190 N. Aurora Rd.
Aurora, Illinois 60502
630-898-6688
April 20, 2025
Engine air filters may not seem like a big deal, but when theyre clogged up with dirt, dust, and insects, your engine could wind up choking for air and not delivering you the power and performance it was designed to give. There are actually a couple of air filters in your vehicle. One filters th... More
April 13, 2025
When the temperatures plunge, your vehicle better be ready because it faces a whole new set of challenges. Rubber stiffens, glass fogs, fluids freeze. Just thinking about it can get your heart beating faster. So here are some tips for getting ready for those inevitable colder temperatures. Mak... More
April 6, 2025
Air conditioning used to be a real luxury in a vehicle, but now it's standard in most. Your vehicle's air conditioning system is built to last a pretty long time, but like anything mechanical, sometimes it fails. It helps to know a little about how the A/C works. There's a compressor that press... More
