Member Since: 13 Aug 2013
Location: bradford
Posts: 36
How to unlatch door when the actuator has broken
Hi. Hopefully someone can help.
The actuator on my drivers door started having problems with not unlocking the door so I ordered the new part but now the actuator has completely stopped working and I can’t open the door at all. The buttons inside don’t work and neither the key fob.
Does anyone have a guide on how to unlock the door when the actuator isn’t working?
Thanks
18th Aug 2020 9:33 pm
AACSC
Member Since: 22 Mar 2014
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 67
Hi TOM
I had the problem of the drives door not opening some years ago and whilst awkward it is possible to replace the actuator without causing damage.
I put a write up on the forum "Door lock actuator - with guide" and you will find my guide on page 6?.
The biggest problem is the removal of the door card, the door speaker is somewhat in the way.
It can be done , go for it
AACSCGraduate of the FDC ( Fred Dibnah College)
18th Aug 2020 10:44 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
I would try disconnecting the battery and then reconnecting it, sometimes its enough just to get it to open one more time.
18th Aug 2020 10:48 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
I find if you pull the interior unlock and handle whilst unlocking from the dash or remote a few times it often releases.
Last time I had to do this SWMBO later pushed the door closed whilst the inside was all off as she wanted something out of her car door pocket, parked next to my D3 Must stop buying shiny toys....
19th Aug 2020 9:27 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13642
Plus 1 ref what @darrind suggested
Also worked for me by using a combination of the handles/ dashboard switches , alas if it’s super locked have to use the key fob
As a side note if the buttons are continuously pressed they will become disabled , have to wait 10-20 seconds before trying again
Fingers crossed it works for u
19th Aug 2020 9:38 am
tommyb159
Member Since: 13 Aug 2013
Location: bradford
Posts: 36
Thanks guys.
I’m just waiting for the new replacement to arrive. Don’t want to waste my 1 opportunity to open the door but I’ll let you know what works. As a last resort I’ll follow the guide and have to take the seat out.
21st Aug 2020 7:46 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13642
Fingers crossed it works for when u need to u lock that one time
If u can’t hear anything with the actuators check ur fuses
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
Was stunned to see how low prices of the Chinese door actuators are now - just seen one on ebay for £6 delivered. Bought it to see how bad or good it is.Must stop buying shiny toys....
22nd Aug 2020 10:37 pm
tommyb159
Member Since: 13 Aug 2013
Location: bradford
Posts: 36
Tried all the tricks to get the door to open one last time but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. So out came the front seat, which was a job in its self with how heavy the thing is!! Luckily when I got the door card off I by chance pulled the handle wire and it unlatched the door. So I’m thinking it was the mechanism the attached to the wire and not the motor. But it’s been replaced and working now.
Thanks again for all your help. Very much appreciated 👍🏻
26th Aug 2020 8:56 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13642
Hiya
Really relieved to see u finally managed to get the door open , indeed I also couldn’t believe how heavy the seats were
As a side note , Did find those cables a sod to reattach to the door cards , used cable ties to ensure they never came off again
Great to hear u got it sorted out
27th Aug 2020 12:24 pm
tommyb159
Member Since: 13 Aug 2013
Location: bradford
Posts: 36
So having got it sorted since then I’ve been through another actuator not working. The part was replaced for being faulty by the supplier so didn’t cost any extra. but having had it failing for for a second time I’m struggling to accept it’s the actuator that’s the problem.
Is there another issue that could be wrong? When I fitted the new actuator it worked for about a week then both the inside and outside handles don’t work again. Is there another part that causes this issue?
Thanks
16th Sep 2020 9:04 am
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
Any damage to the door loom?Must stop buying shiny toys....
16th Sep 2020 9:52 am
tommyb159
Member Since: 13 Aug 2013
Location: bradford
Posts: 36
I don’t think so. How would I diagnose that?
The actuator is still making a noise when I use the key fob so must be getting power. I didn’t know if there could be an issue with the cables that attach to the actuator. But they looked ok and it solved the issue as soon as I fitted the actuator. Is it possible to have a loose cable ?
16th Sep 2020 10:33 am
Trailered Movements
Member Since: 16 Jan 2020
Location: East/West Sussex Coast Borders
Posts: 1198
I recently changed the actuator on my D4, for a pattern part from fleabay, and also an original bowden cable.
The lever that has the slot for the outer door handle bowden cable appeared to be at a slightly different angle to the original, resulting in the first 5mm of cable travel just moving in the slot.
I used a small cable tie to both hold the cable in place, and take up that void.
Now it works perfectly.
Dave2011 Discovery 4 Commercial SDV6 (Gone)
2010 RRS TDV8 (Gone)
1980 OBLIC 4.0ltr Range Rover (went a long time ago)
Last edited by Trailered Movements on 16th Sep 2020 10:58 am. Edited 2 times in total
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