With the advent of electronic locks, car doors can now be operated without contact between key and vehicle. These door locks feature an actuator that is typically triggered when it picks up electrical signals from a wireless, remote-control device. The actuator is a mechanical system that consists of different components including gears, a mechanical linkage, an electric motor and a cable all working in tandem to operate the lock. 

While electronic door locks eliminate most of the problems associated with traditional key locks, they are not problem-free. After all, each type of locking mechanism has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the common reasons why the electronic door locks on cars fail to function properly is because of problems with the actuator. Here are some typical reasons why this behind-the-scenes motorised system may act up include the following. 

1. Your electric motor isn't powered up

The electric motor mounted inside your door turns in one direction to lock your door and in the opposite direction to unlock it. If the electrical contacts and circuits that connect to this motor wear down over time, then it means the motor won't get electricity supply. As a result, it won't be able to turn and engage your door's locking and unlocking mechanism. So, you may need to check your actuator's electrical components and connections if it fails to work.

2. Excessive dirt buildup on your actuator

Dirt and greasy debris can also get trapped on gears and other moving components of your actuator and cause the entire motorised unit to move slower. Thankfully, this problem is quite easy to fix. You just need to take the actuator apart, wipe off the dirt and grease that has accumulated on the various parts and put everything back together.

3. Your actuator parts are worn out

As your electric motor, gears, mechanical linkage and cables all work together to operate your doors, they are bound to become worn out and stop working properly at some point. If this happens, you will need to remove and replace the worn parts. 

If you ever run into problems with your car's electronic door look actuator, you should contact a professional car locksmith immediately. They will take apart your lock to find out the root cause of the problem and provide the repair service required to get your locks working properly again. Electronic door locks are a great safety and convenience feature, so you should attend to any lock repair issues as soon as you spot them.