Trying to replace the door lock actuator on my 2009 drivers side. got everything apart according to the service manual but there is one item left out. the actuator has 3 "pulleys" that control the door opening and locking. 2 go to the one near the window controls and are easy to reattach. the third goes to a connector behind the external door opener. even with removing the window and the external door opener, i cant see the mechanism that the third pulley attaches to. i am hesitant to remove the existing broken one as it doesn't seem like i will be able to properly re-attach the new one without being able to click it in properly. If anyone has any experience with this and has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

 

I replaced a door lock actuator on my Accord. It was a royal PITA and I had to do it twice (meaning I screwed up the first time and broke the new actuator, requiring the purchase of a second).
My advice is not to attempt this on your own. A professional shop will take care of this and bleed their own tech's blood while doing it right. Bring them the parts you have and you can save a little dough that way.
Granted, I'm not a mechanic or particularly mechanically inclined (I have changed alternators on old MG's and done a few other little projects, but it always takes me longer than expected), but I would say I spent at least 3-4 hours swapping mine out.
You have to take off the door cards, remove the window, remove the switch connectors, and stuff your arm into spaces not designed for dudes like me (more muscular than most). Maybe if I had hipster arms or could wear a slim dress shirt, but I don't and can't and ended up getting stuck, scraping knuckles, and bleeding from fingers, knuckles, and my wrist.
There are some parts of the procedure requiring keeping tension on stuff and twisting around. It was a royal pain in the rear end and I wouldn't do it again. Maybe consider calling the dealership and ask for a quote. I'd happily pay $200 than go through that nightmare again.
Plus, there was a plastic sheet, ostensibly there to protect against water, that I had to practically destroy to get access to stuff. Of all the projects I've attempted on my car, replacing the door actuator was the least fun, the most painful, and the biggest waste of my time....
On the other hand, your results may vary...
Good luck!

 

thanks for the advice. it wasnt that bad just couldnt get that last pulley so i put everything back and left it the way it was. maybe i will try again.

 

Do you guys recommend having a Nissan Dealership work on the door actuator issue? Or do you think a normal shop would be able to replace this?

My issue:
- Driver side door actuator broke last month. I've been manually using the key to unlock the door (in counter-clockwise motion).

- Randomly, earlier this week, my driver side door now requires that I turn the key in a clockwise motion. However, doing so LOCKS the other 3 doors. If I turn the key in counter-clockwise motion, I lock the driverside door but it UNLOCKS the other 3 doors.


Weird, right? If I have passengers, I now have to "time" when I open the driver side car door.........