Power Door Locks & Window Actuators

Upgrading your car or truck from mechanically operated locks and windows to a power-operated system allows quicker and easier opening and closing of doors and windows. With the push of a button, your windows can quickly go up or down, no longer requiring turning the crank handles. Power door locks are also available with wireless key fobs to allow you to lock and unlock your doors as you walk away from or approach your vehicle.

Adding power door lock and window kits to your vehicle allows you to maintain the vehicle's overall appearance but with modern creature comforts. Replacing a window crank handle with a switch helps clean up the interior and show a customized look at car shows and events.

There are multiple possibilities that can stop power door locks from working. The main component that power door locks need is voltage. The first thing to check is the fuse from the fuse box that is on the same circuit as the door locks and replace it if needed. If the fuse is good, the next place to check is the door lock switch. A multimeter will help confirm if power is reaching the switch from the fuse and if the switch is working and allowing voltage to continue to the door lock actuators. After the switch is confirmed functioning, the door lock solenoid or actuator is then checked. A multimeter will confirm if power is reaching the actuator solenoid. Wiring and connections can age and become faulty over time, causing issues, so checking their condition is another item on the list. If the solenoid is working when using the switch, the next area to check is the mechanical linkage for the door locks between the actuator and the locking mechanisms. This includes the actuating rods, connections, mounting points, door locks, key tumblers / cylinders, and any other components that mechanically lock and unlock the doors.

Depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, or the manufacturer of the aftermarket power door lock conversion kit, the steps to install the power lock actuator will be different. For factory applications, the vehicle repair or shop manual is the best resource to aid with installation of power door locks. For aftermarket power door locks and kits, the included instructions in the kit will help provide a successful installation.

A window actuator is a mechanical regulator or assembly that can be mechanically or electrically driven to raise or lower a window inside a vehicle door. There are different designs of window actuators used that include a "scissors" or slider type of linkage. Mechanically driven actuators require a window crank handle to be turned clockwise or counterclockwise in order to raise or lower the window. Electrically operated / power windows use a motor inside the door with a gear in place of the crank handle, which rotates the window lift assembly up or down.

Depending on the year, make, and model of the car or truck, the steps or option to reset the power lock system will vary. A repair or shop manual for your specific vehicle will confirm the possibility to reset door locks and how to complete the process. In some cases, the vehicle battery can be disconnected for a brief period of time in order to reset the power door locks. However, doing so may affect anti-theft equipped systems or other vehicle functions such as the radio, requiring a code to be entered or other process in order to use them after the battery is reconnected.