I finally got the chance to replace my door lock actuator for my passenger side door this weekend and decided to take some pics while I was it to show the process.

Notes:

• Having a magnetic screwdriver will save you a headache
• there is no need to remove the three large screws on the door that holds the locking mechanic to the door

Tools:

• masking tape
• magnetic Philips screwdriver
• new door lock actuator (got mine on eBay for $12.50 shipped: here)

1. Remove door panel
2. Peel back the plastic weather cover. I used masking tape to tape it out of the way.
3. Look inside the door to the right (towards handle) and you should see the actuator (white/cream color)
4. Unplug the connector. There is only one.
5. Remove the door lock metal thingy guide (black, plastic). One screw that is visible, and the other end is clipped into a slot in a black, plastic piece that is covering the actuator. Just pinch the tabs and pull it away.
6. Remove one screw on the black, plastic cover that is covering the actuator, and remove the cover.
7. Remove the two screws that is holding the actuator attached to the lock mechanism, then remove the old actuator.
8. Install the new actuator.The new actuator has a white latch with a circular hole. Make sure to hook this to the "tab" in the lock mechanism (see pics for a better explanation).
9. Put everything back in reverse order.

 

Wish I had this 6 months ago when I replaced mine! The thing that sucked for me was not realizing I had to pull the black cover off first. And that it's so tight and around a corner that makes lining up things hard.

 

Thanks for posting this! Saved me a lot of time and heartache when I replaced mine today.

 

My latches were shot to couldn't open door

 

Thank you for putting this together I just did this replacement on my 2001 S2000. My passenger side was never unlocking and was super annoying.