Tried to do something myself to save $$, now goes to the mechanic.

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Thought I'd save a few $$ and replace the non-functioning door lock actuator on the wife's 2003 Ford Taurus. Get the inside panel off, put all the screws in a little cup, feelin' pretty good, unhooking lock rods, release rods, cables, power connectors... until -

I get to a point I think to myself, 'self, I think you just crossed into a land you don't know Jack Squat about'. Self was right. About 5 rods, some little brackets I don't know where they came from, all trying to take apart inside the door. The goal was to remove the door latch/lock/door ajar sensor assembly.

Finally after 4 hours I called the local Ford place and have an appt. on Thursday. $123 to reassemble and use the new lock motor that I bought.

First time since I was 16 and messing with cars from a Mazda truck to a Honda Prelude, to a Nissan Maxima, several generations of Mustangs, never got into anything I couldn't figure out in the end. Stuff from replacing strut assemblies, suspension components, water pumps, a head gasket one time, trans filter/fluid changes, put an exhaust system from front to back on a Nissan... You name it.

I hear the FAIL train coming - my bags are packed. I guess more than anything I can't believe something that should be so simple as a door lock has brought down my success record after 20 years. On top of that, I get to drive my wife to and from work for the next 2 days.

Just a weak rant as I'm pretty upset with myself.


UPDATE 3/11:

Came home a bit early this afternoon, with a fresh mindset about the whole thing, thought long and hard about how I disassembled it, (didn't need to open the other side, but thanks for the awesome suggestion), and in about 30 minutes it was back together with the new lock motor!

called and canceled the svc appointment. GO ME!

Anyways there is your update and now I could change a lock motor on that car in pretty quick fashion I do believe. It all 'clicks' now when I look at a pic of it.

 

[funkymatt]

woulda been $50 if you didnt mess with it

 

[olds]

OP, do you have a digital camera?

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

1hr minimum =80, they want 1.5hr w/ $3 shop fee. I guess I pay for the paper floormat, key number hang tag and steering wheel plastic cover, eh.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
OP, do you have a digital camera?

yea I do. At least the wife isn't mad at me, she is a bit surprised that I've gotten into something I can't extricate myself from though.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Damn Dirty Ape

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
OP, do you have a digital camera?

yea.

<fingerwag>
Take pics next time.
:laugh:

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Damn Dirty Ape

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
OP, do you have a digital camera?

yea.

<fingerwag>
Take pics next time.
:laugh:

bad part is I took pics last week when I removed the lower control arm, steering knuckle sway bar links. tie rods and cv shaft to install some new struts. Not one issue there, didn't even need to refer to the pics.

I guess at least this isn't something that requires towing it in.

 

[jinduy]

funny i had to replace the actuator on both sides of my door and it was a pain. took me about 3 hours on each side... conveniently right after my warranty was up.

at certain times i did feel like giving up and driving into the dealership looking like a fool.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: jinduy
funny i had to replace the actuator on both sides of my door and it was a pain. took me about 3 hours on each side... conveniently right after my warranty was up.

at certain times i did feel like giving up and driving into the dealership looking like a fool.

Well part of the problem was I wanted to get it done today when it was in the 70's.. the next week it's 40's and 20's at night. Not the best to be trying to work half-blind with your hands inside a car door and no empty garage at the moment to put it in.

 

[rudeguy]

I had to replace my outside door handle today. I thought I was just ordering a handle. UPS dropped off a box about 2 1/2 feet long. Turns out I had to replace the whole assembly plus a trim piece. I got it all back together to find out that I had to adjust the rod before I set it in place. I dicked with it for an hour before mashing my finger with a pair of needle nose. Now I have to find where they landed and give it another go in the morning.

 

[Ronstang]

Just take the door panel off the other side and you have a nice example of how you need to put it back together.

 

[AmdEmAll]

You didn't try hard enough.

I have to say though working on window/lock parts in most car doors is a pain in the ass.

 

[SSSnail]

I do work on my cars when I'm passionate about it (translation: not too lazy); I figure, if I can work on jets, why the hell not cars. You just have to remember before working on your car, or do anything, research as much as possible and read about everything you're gonna do at least twice. Always have reference materials readily available for not if, but when you need it. Most importantly, have the proper tools for the job, they are necessary investments.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: NSFW
I had to replace my outside door handle today. I thought I was just ordering a handle. UPS dropped off a box about 2 1/2 feet long. Turns out I had to replace the whole assembly plus a trim piece. I got it all back together to find out that I had to adjust the rod before I set it in place. I dicked with it for an hour before mashing my finger with a pair of needle nose. Now I have to find where they landed and give it another go in the morning.

More jobs last overnight that way, than due to complexity.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Those door mechanisms can be tricky bastards to say the least.

 

[AlienCraft]

nice username , btw.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
I do work on my cars when I'm passionate about it (translation: not too lazy); I figure, if I can work on jets, why the hell not cars. You just have to remember before working on your car, or do anything, research as much as possible and read about everything you're gonna do at least twice. Always have reference materials readily available for not if, but when you need it. Most importantly, have the proper tools for the job, they are necessary investments.

..helps to take pic's of assy's before starting too.

 

[Perknose]

Something I've done more than once is I've gone into the Dealership's service department and talked the guys into printing me out service manual blow-ups of whatever assembly I'm foolishly trying to tackle.

I've also not been above wandering into the bays and asking the most friendly looking mechanic what special "gotcha's" I might have to look out for.

If you approach people in the right way, most are happy to steer you right, and my 10 cent tool collection and I have always needed every single bit of available help.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Something I've done more than once is I've gone into the Dealership's service department and talked the guys into printing me out service manual blow-ups of whatever assembly I'm foolishly trying to tackle.

I've also not been above wandering into the bays and asking the most friendly looking mechanic what special "gotcha's" I might have to look out for.

If you approach people in the right way, most are happy to steer you right, and my 10 cent tool collection and I have always needed every single bit of available help.

Chilton online is my new best friend.

 

[Colt45]

shouldn't have given up so easy.

 

[lupi]

one of the things I've learned is to never do work that requires removing late model door panelsm those things are a pain in the ass to put back into place correctly.

 

[resinboy]

been doing door panels for over 30 years, many are a major PITA. Average customer has no clue how complicated some may be.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Just take the door panel off the other side and you have a nice example of how you need to put it back together.

Why didn't I think of that. Brilliant! I'm going to give that a try this evening before handing it over tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
Those door mechanisms can be tricky bastards to say the least.

Never messed with one. This one easily as complex as any valvetrain.(well, almost). Just no experience with them is the real issue I guess in this case.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: Colt45
shouldn't have given up so easy.

after a night of sleep I'm going back in this evening..