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Driver's side door lock issue


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DIM62
New User

Sep 27, 2020, 5:15 PM

Post #1 of 5 (737 views)
Driver's side door lock issue Sign In

2012 Mazda 3i sedan
80000 miles

I had a problem with my interior driver's side door handle. When I opened up the door panel, I saw that the cable had snapped. I actually managed to come up with a fix to that (I crimped a ferrule to the cable, drilled a hole in the end connector, and threaded some wire through the ferrule and connector).

Shortly after putting in this fix, I noticed that the remote door lock wasn't working. Locking the door with the interior switch wouldn't work either. I assumed my handle fix had interfered with the lock mechanism. However, it turns out that I can't see any connection between the two. It's as though the locking issue was a complete coincidence. I'm still having trouble believing this, but that's how it looks.

I learned, however, that the door WILL lock using the key if I turn it two or three times. Using the remote, the interior switch tries to close, but comes about halfway back open.

** I'd appreciate input on whether this sounds like an actuator issue or something else. Does anyone have any experience on how difficult it is to replace a lock actuator? **


Thanks ... Tim


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 27, 2020, 5:53 PM

Post #2 of 5 (735 views)
Re: Driver's side door lock issue Sign In

We can't begin to know what went wrong when you had the door panel off.

My guess is you left something unplugged. Why don't you buy a cable and fix it right.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



DIM62
New User

Sep 29, 2020, 1:18 PM

Post #3 of 5 (668 views)
Re: Driver's side door lock issue Sign In

I understand that there are limitations on assessing the problem at a distance, especially in a situation like this where I might not even be aware that I messed something up.

To my recollection, I didn't unplug anything in the door panel. I just had another look and don't see anything disconnected.

As for "fixing it right": The main reason I went with my solution is that it was free and ordering some amount of the lock assembly definitely wasn't. It wasn't clear how much of the assembly I needed to get, but it didn't look like I could purchase just that individual cable. Now, if I were persuaded that my fix is causing the problem with the locking function, I'd go with a different approach. However, from what I can see, there's no obvious connection between my fix and the lock operation. I completely disconnected the cable that I modified and it had no effect on how the locking works.

The interior switch and the remote try to activate the lock, but it doesn't actually lock. Using the key to lock the door works after some number of tries -- typically 1 to 3 turns, but occasionally more.

If I do need to replace the actuator, I'm curious how difficult that is. I found a detailed service procedure online, but I'm not sure how difficult it is to do the work in the confined space of a door panel.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 29, 2020, 1:38 PM

Post #4 of 5 (661 views)
Re: Driver's side door lock issue Sign In

The cables are sold separately for under $15.

https://www.carparts.com/door-latch-cable

The lock actuator however is built into the latch and requires replacing the whole latch.

The latch however comes with the cables. This is just one example.

https://www.ebay.com/...%3AMazda%7CModel%3A3



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 29, 2020, 1:41 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 29, 2020, 1:44 PM

Post #5 of 5 (652 views)
Re: Driver's side door lock issue Sign In

Panel was off wires were touched, bumped or something so in the game still. IF not OEM part for the VIN# of the car question if it's right?
Not sold here personally don't run into it if this model also sold to drive from either side "driver's" side parts would be "asymmetrically" opposite may only partly work?? Just asking,


T







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