All Ford & Holden vehicles are fitted with door actuators.

 
What is a door actuator?
 
It’s an electronic device used to release your vehicle door lock and is most commonly programmed to be activated by a manual button or switch. It can also be by a radio-controlled signal from a remote controller. Your door actuator can allow a driver to open the vehicle doors by using a wireless remote devise. The door actuator is mounted inside of the doors framework and operates on the push or pull system to open, lock or unlock your vehicle doors. A radio-controlled door opening system is a handy option. This system uses a door actuator device to release the door latching system. Also common with this option is a popper button that pushes the door open slightly once the door actuator has been activated. On some vehicles, the door opening actuator will also power the door locks so a single push of a button will both unlock and open the vehicle doors. On other vehicles, the door lock is operated independently of the special door-opening feature.

How does it work?
 
Power activation from the push of a button in your vehicle or by a radio wave sent from a wireless remote-control switch provides the actuator with the energy to move an actuator rod to open the door latch mechanism. A solid steel rod or cable attached to the door latch at one end and to the actuator at the other is pushed or pulled as the door actuator is energized, thereby opening, unlocking or locking the door as you require.
 
What can go wrong?

As with any type of mechanical and electrical component, your door actuator does endure some wear and tear after years of continuous use. The source of the problem is usually based in the small electrical motor that controls the movement of the locking and unlocking mechanism. When the motor begins to wear out, your door actuator may not respond as efficiently to the press of the button as it used to.
Replacing your door actuator motor will sometimes restore full functionality. However there are situations where the problem with the door actuator is more complex than simply a dodgy motor. When this is the case, replacement of your entire door actuator may be necessary. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, replacing an electrical door actuator can be quite tricky.

What can you do?

If you are looking to replace or need some advice about a defective door actuator then you should talk to one of our Ford & Holden parts experts. If you find it necessary to replace your door actuator it is almost always best to send the old unit back to our parts store as the core from your old door actuator can be repaired and sold as a rebuilt unit. These will cost only a fraction of the price of a new door actuator and we think this is a great solution. Our rebuilt door actuators come with New Zealand’s best second hand part warranty.