How Does A Power Door Lock Actuator Work

A small electric motor turns a series of spur gears that serve as a gear reduction.

How does a power door lock actuator work.

The lock buttons are located on each of the doors with a master switch on the driver s door. Unplug the door lock actuator electrical connector. Door lock systems operate the actuator by toggling positive negative voltage to the actuator. The power door lock actuator is a simple mechanical device.

Then when you press the switch to lock the doors the lock moves in the opposite direction. This system is quite small in size. When the actuator moves the latch up it connects the outside door handle to the opening mechanism. How power door locks work.

A door lock actuator is basically a reversible motor or a solenoid on some vehicles with gears that operate the door lock. Once the button is pressed it triggers the actuator allowing the doors to be locked. But in more complicated systems that have several ways to lock and unlock the doors the body controller decides when to do the unlocking. A car door in this car the power door lock actuator is positioned below the latch.

The last gear drives a rack and pinion gear set that is connected to the actuator rod. It mimics your motions when you pull the knob up or push it down. A rod con nects the actuator to the latch and another rod connects the latch to the knob that sticks up out of the top of the door. Then use your test light or digital meter to check for power and ground at the connector when you operate the lock unlock switch.

The motor reverses direction so that when you press the switch to unlock the doors the lock moves in one direction. The body controller is a computer in your car. Door lock actuators are an electronic component found on vehicles equipped with power door locks. You should see the voltage polarity toggle with each switch activation.

This actuator can move the metal hook shown in this photo to the left or right. In this edition of howstuffworks we ll learn just what s inside your door that ma kes it unlock we ll take apart the actuator that does the work and then we ll learn how the lock can be forced open. But first let s see how the car keeps all its signals straight. A power door lock actuator is typically positioned somewhere below the latch.

The mechanism allows for the rods to work in conjunction to power the actuator. The door lock actuator locks and unlocks your vehicle s doors. A connecting rod attaches to the actuator and another one connects the latch to the manual knob that sticks out the top of the door. When mounted in the car it is vertical so the hook can move up or down.