Door actuator replacement
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
The one thing about this car I love is that it's not hard to work on at all. But I guess it all depends on your skill level. And the tools you've got. But anything in the door can't be that hard to do. At least you wouldn't think so. Give her a shot and take your time. I'll bet it's not to difficult. Take some pics while your at it. Keep us posted.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 2
From: North Royalton Ohio
Are you replacing the door lock actuator or the window actuator, just curious panel has to come off anyway.
After you've removed several retaining screws the perimeter of the panel is secured with barbed plasitic push plugs. You can start in one corner and carefully pull them out of the holes, but you would be better off going to any auto parts store and purchsing a door panel trim removal tool for a few bucks. It looks like a two pronged fork with wide flat tines.
After you've removed several retaining screws the perimeter of the panel is secured with barbed plasitic push plugs. You can start in one corner and carefully pull them out of the holes, but you would be better off going to any auto parts store and purchsing a door panel trim removal tool for a few bucks. It looks like a two pronged fork with wide flat tines.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
How do you know it is the actuator???????? Most of the time the door lock malfuction is caused by the door controle module, they are a common problem with C5's, made in Mexico and prone to failure... and because you haven't taken the door panel off yet. and have not tested the input signal and output signal of the actuator or the control module. I am guessing that you are guessing.. the actuator rarely goes bad on these cars..sometimes a pinched wire in the A pillar door jam inside the rubber accordian duct. this will cause no input signal to the control module and therfore no output to the actuator. A simple test light will identify the problem.
you can get door panel removal instructions from
www.vetteessentials.com
the door control module is here
you can get door panel removal instructions from
www.vetteessentials.com
the door control module is here
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I can hear the actuator attempting to release the lock, or so I think. You have to press the release button 5 or so times until it will unlock. This is also true if I lock it while inside and try to unlock the doors with the unlock button. Lately I have been using the key only.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I can hear the actuator attempting to release the lock, or so I think. You have to press the release button 5 or so times until it will unlock. This is also true if I lock it while inside and try to unlock the doors with the unlock button. Lately I have been using the key only. The passenger door operates correctly.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Had the same problem and it turned out to be the connections in the accordian piece between the door and the body.....The dealer first replace the door control module but that didn't fix it....took them 3 days to find this 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
control module
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
How do you know it is the actuator???????? Most of the time the door lock malfuction is caused by the door controle module, they are a common problem with C5's, made in Mexico and prone to failure... and because you haven't taken the door panel off yet. and have not tested the input signal and output signal of the actuator or the control module. I am guessing that you are guessing.. the actuator rarely goes bad on these cars..sometimes a pinched wire in the A pillar door jam inside the rubber accordian duct. this will cause no input signal to the control module and therfore no output to the actuator. A simple test light will identify the problem.
you can get door panel removal instructions from
www.vetteessentials.com
the door control module is here
you can get door panel removal instructions from
www.vetteessentials.com
the door control module is here
Last edited by 76Stingray&02Z06; Mar 6, 2005 at 12:52 PM. Reason: the cost of the part is about 275.00 part #10342159
