replacing (buzzing) door lock actuator on Accord - anyone with experience doing this?

I have a 97 accord coupe with about 160K. When locking my power locks,
the door lock actuator in the passenger side door makes a loud buzzing
sound.
I took apart the door panel and looked at the necessary steps in
service manual.
I have the option to buy a replacement actuator or a new latch with an
actuator already attached.

72115-SV2-003 ACTUATOR ASSY., R. DOOR LOCK $88.45
72110-SV2-013 LOCK ASSY., R. FR. POWER DOOR $136.53

I would prefer to buy just the actuator and attach it to the old latch.
(would save me about $50). Can anyone attest to the difficulty in doing
this? Or is it best to replace the entire module (latch + actuator
completely assembled).

Also when removing the outdoor door handle (necessary to replace the
actuator), there are two bolts (accessed from inside the door) any tips
in how on how to remove the hard-to-reach bolt?

 

The buzzing is probably the magnetic relay inside the actuator
attempting to move the latch. Have you tried testing the actuator you
have with the latch disconnected? Relays tend to work all or nothing,
so if you have the actuator working test the latch. If it sticks
and/or needs lubrication, try some WD40. Sometimes the keyhole lets
moisture in and causes the latch's ease of operation (when it was new)
to deteriorate. If nothing else . . . you learn weather you need only
the actuator or the whole dang thing.
On the hard to reach bolts problem. I use a flex cable. Its a 10 inch
flexable adapter that takes nut drivers and 1/4 inch sockets.
Good Luck.

 

you check all the online honda parts places?
junkyards?
maybe a generic servo would work?
servo from an aftermarket lock kit?
rebuilding/fixing the old one?

just tossing out some ideas to chew on.

 

Hm, this buzzing door lock seems to be a common problem for I've had it
on my '94 Accord LX as well, though on the driver side. I just haven't
done anything about it as otherwise the lock works and figured the work
and cost of fixing it is not worth it.

Rudy

 

I had the same problem on my 1995 Honda Odyssey. The buzzing sound is
coming from the actuator. There's a little rack/pinion drive inside the
actuator, with a rubber stop at each end of the rack gear. When that
rubber bumper wears out or gets displaced, the rack gear travels past
its limit, and the pinion gear (connected to the little DC motor inside
the actuator) spins off the end of the rack. The buzzing sound is the
sound of the pinion gear grinding away off the end of the rack (and
doing further damage!).

There are two possible solutions:
(1) Replace the actuator outright. Removing the actuator is a pain and
involves removing the door panel, handles, latches, etc. You can get
the actuator off without removing the other stuff (three screws), but
good luck getting it back in. (To access the difficult bolt, on the
Odyssey there is a hole in the door itself that's covered by a piece of
black adhesive material, almost like a piece of electrician's tape.
Remove the tape, and you can reach the bolt directly with a socket
extension. I can't speak for the Accord, but I expect it may be
similar.)

(2) If you're a real do-it-yourselfer (read "cheapskate"--like me!
), you can remove the actuator, disassemble it, and use some RTV
silicone to mold replacements for the rubber rack stops. This is a very
workable solution for an investment of about $5 for a tube of silicone.
(Make sure it's well cured before you try energizing the actuator!). If
you're going to remove and replace the actuator yourself, you may as
well try this solution.

I'd be interested in receiving comments from anyone else who tries the
RTV silicone replacement solution. Let me know how it works.

Best wishes!
Juan

 

I just happened to fix the 1997 Odyssey's buzzing actuator for my father
in-law. I did the write up and if anyone needs to fix it in the future,
feel free to check it out.

Cheers,

'Buzzing door lock fixed'
(http://www.freewebs.com/ltooz/othercarsfixed.htm)

Ltooz