question
i just bought this 2000 x and it seems that the more i use the power door licks the less they work. the rh rear almost always doesnt lock or unlock and the lh drivers door doesnt seem to work after driving around town doing errands. my thought is the actuators are bad because you can hear them working but it doesnt seem to have enough power to operate them.

 

Does the problem correct itself upon restart of the truck?

Does it seem to get "worse" the longer the truck is on?

Do you have aftermarket trim pieces over or near the power door lock buttons?

 

not sure? I will have to pay more attention to when it happens. there are no additional trim pieces

 

I just went out and tried to shut it off and see if that would help. The more i used the door locks the fewer would work. The rh rear is the biggest problem, a few clicks to see if it would unlock and then the lh front stoped working so a few more clicks and the rh front then stopped. It almost seems that a power relay is bad and it gets warm and stops working. is there such a thing or is it got gremlins.

 

I have a 2000 Exc. Limited and I too have similiar door lock problems. My remote locks worked fine until one day last summer. I came out from work and the drivers door refused to unlock. Then it seemed to radiate. Somedays the passenger front and drivers refused to lock or unlock with the remote or keyless entry pad, the next day the right rear passenger door refused to work....it is a never ending story. I have found thru internet searching (which is how I found this site) that it is more than likely the actuators. Local Ford dealers say they have to put it on their diagnostic money sucker to know exactly what is wrong. (note: same dealer also told me the same thing when my ABS light came on and stayed on. Said it would cost me about 200.00 to repair system. On internet I found a site that said try removing neg. battery cable for two minutes and see if computer resets itself. I did and have had no ABS light or problem since and I still have my 200.00 in my pocket) I just want to find someone who knows if it may be the actuators or something else. I do have burlwood trim throughout my truck but I had it on for two years before the lock problems started. I am miffed to say the least. I love my Exc. but hate the constant problems (yearly rotor and brake replacement, ignition meltdown, too frequent alignments, ABS, door locks, wiper switch...)So if anyone knows let us know okay?

 

I know what you mean Quarter. My 99 F-150 is doing the same thing. The ABS light came on right before I changed the brake pads on my truck. I thought at first, it was a sensor letting me know that I had to replace the brake pads. I replaced them but the light never went out. I also tried filling my brake reservoir up again but it still didn't go off. The dealership told me the same thing and that I would have to leave it overnight. I know it costs a lot of money to get it fixed. I will try the battery trick and see if that works. Mine has been on for the past 2 years. I am also having the same problem with my door locks. Both switches are clicking but the actuators don't push the locks up. Sometimes I push the lock button and only the passenger door locks. I have to manually push the drivers door lock down to lock it. That has been going on for about a year. The dealership told me that it sounds like the actuators but they would have to look at it. I ordered a Factory Service Manual off of Ebay that covers all Ford vehicles from 99-01. I hope this will help since I have the 99 F-150 and a 01 Escort.

 

This is a well known issue related to poor design of the door lock actuator. The motor inside wears out and heat only makes it worse.

There are several threads on the subject here and in the Super Duty area. Replacement units are $30-35 each online and can be replaced by the owner.

Joe

 

Forget about it! I had the same problem and similar conversations with the goofs at the dealership. Just replace the acuators for about $30. each depending on who you know. The new acuators look bulkier then the original. The first replacement took about 30-40 minutes, after that you can move a litter faster. Look for very slight pry indentions at the top of the burl. The first screws will be under there to remove the panel. You have to remove the speakers and disconect the window and door lock switch, then just lift straight up on the panel.

 

Where are you finding these for $30? Best price I have found is from fordparts.com @ $57. Thanks.

 

just replaced 3 of them got the parts from local ford dealership for 39.00 each. If they are getting worse the more you use them they are going to quit soon. You have to pull the panel and take out the outside door handle then I used a screw driver to pry the old one off (broke the plastic snap in clip) told to do it that way from dealer technician. Seamed much faster than trying to pop it off the right way and its junk anyway. Snap the new one in and put it back together. Start with a back door first to learn because there is less linkages going to the door latch. Then try a front one.
The new ones look a bit different but they fit and work way better (so far!!!). I saved my receipt and old actuators in case they ever get a brain and recall these!!!
hope that helps
Later
Brian