Hello,

All four door lock actuators need to replaced on my 2000 Mazda Protege ES. The dealer quoted me $470 for them + 230 for parts and labor = $700. That's nuts. Do you know where I can find aftermarket actuators? The Mazda's actuators are actually a "latch kit" - the actuator and the latch are one unit - the actuator isn't sold alone. Thanks.

 

Check the Boneyards, they may not want to part a good door, but if they have dented doors, they will pull out parts. Also, check the door lock module in the drivers side kick plate. I find it hard to believe that they all went out at the same time. Have you checked the 30A door lock fuse. http://protege5.ugly.net/#ac

That link is to a 2002 shop manual, but they should be similar. Look at section 9-14.

 

Hey. All 4 actuators went out at different times, and I did check the module under the panel and it's okay. Mazda dealer was the one who said all four actuators are bad. They also said all 4 locks are getting full power and ground. I checked any junk yards, but they don't have Mazda Proteges on there lots. The 30A fuse is fine, too. Do you know where I can get the aftermarket actuators?

 

I doubt there are any manufacturers that would make this part.

However, let me show a little technique for dealing with the boneyards. First, check www.car-part.com. See if anybody has any cars listed. Second, get your yellow pages, to find the junkyards, but the best way to deal with them is to show up on their doorstep. For small little parts like actuators, they don't want to be bothered and will just blow you off if you call them on phone, but they tend to be more helpful if you are on their doorstep. Also, bring tools, as you will probably have to pull it yourself. Which is a good way to practice on their car instead of yours.

I had a similar problem with a cruise control module for a 1996 1.8L ES. It took me a couple of weeks and some slogging through waterlogged boneyards. The dealer wanted $459 for the module and another $125 to put it in and get the system running. I already had a shop manual, so I learned how to troubleshoot it with the help of people on this site, and finally found a module. (the hardest part of the job) Total cash out of my pocket $30. And now I know how to it. Dive into it. We are here to help....

Chris

 

Why, thank you Chris. I will do a search. The thing is I am a student in high school and don't have that much time to go looking for cars. When I call boneyeards, I ask, "Do you have a Protege on the lot" and they usually say no, but I will keep trying! I know of people who have used aftermkt actuators on their proteges...but cant get any sort of info out of them....hmmm.....

 

Internetman,

My Actuator makes a grinding sound on the front passenger door when unlocking. I think it's the Actuator, which I'm guessing is a little motor. Just curious: Yous all went at once ? Or one by one ? Do they Lock & Unlock ?

Thanks.

Dino1956

 

I apoligize. I did not read. All went out at once. I get it. That is extremely odd. Like I said, I have one that is giving me trouble (grinding sound) but my Paint & Body guy who just put on a new door, did nothing to help me find my Aftermarket Locks. I have the DX. Guy I bought car from put the Locks after he bought. So I have Manual Windows & Power Door Locks. :-)

 

Well, manual windows are not so bad. You loose the risk of repairs. My actuators went out at different times. The dealer checked out the problem, and indeed found the actuators to be defective. The tech report says all 4 locks are getting FULL power and ground. I looked at some sites that sell protege actuators, I believe the OEM kind, but still, I only save like $100 over the dealer's price. I guess it's a convenience issue - I want to have the luxury of pushing lock, knowing all my doors are locked, instead of checking which ones are/aren't and then locking the ones that have not locked...same goes for unlocking...ugh.


thanks guys. more input is welcome! =)


PS: What would you do if you were in my situation?

 

Personally if it were me. I'd wait until I found a less expensive solution. Eventually you'll find them. It's an Inconvenience, but it's better than spending like $500. to fix your Locks. That's just my little opinion. At this point I'm afraid to have anyone even look at my car since my last experience.