Bad Actuator

[Proudfoot]

I have been having a problem that a lot of Mazda 3 people report about: the constant Door Ajar sign when everything is closed up.

It seems as thought my RR door lock is shot. The other door locks respond to be opened using my keyless entry, but the RR does not respond at all and it seems to be dead. I think the cost of an actuator is over $100. Is there anyway to overide this Door Ajar signal -- I was considering finding the fuse for it and removing it, but then I think that would kill a lot of the indicators on the instrument panel-- for this dead door or do I have to fork out the money and replace the actuator?

I have had to turn off my internal lights (map and door entry one) to avoid draining my battery. I miss the use of my keyless entry, as well.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help.

Marc

[Booter22]

take the cluster out and remove the bulb. i dont think the door ajar light has its own fuse as it would run i would suspect off the radio or cluster fuse

[ryanbarrie]

in my 99 taurus (ghetto) i used marker to cover my check engine light

[peterm15]

I used electrical tape to cover a cluster light in my grand am.

Otherwise. I would think replacing the actuator would be the best option. At least you would have your keyless entry back.

[Proudfoot]

I am seeing few used ones on Ebay.
Is there no way to trick the car into thinking that the doors are all closed. Could I do some disconnecting somewhere, in relation to the RR door, do the CPU of the car thinks there is not a problem?

Thanks for all of your ideas and suggestions.

[peterm15]

You could possibly jump the wires at the actuator to trick it but honestly I personally wouldn't screw with that.

[sarujo]

Proudfoot - check some of the auto wreckers and see what you can dig up in terms of a used actuator. Search around as I think there are a few good online wrecker sites that allow for search and ordering.

Perhaps someone can chime in with the names if they know.

Good luck!

[peterm15]

Well there is standard. But also check out cookstown. I live near there and frequent the bloor dufferin area. So I can bring it down for you.

[Wes08M3]

Which actuator are you talking about exactly? The door lock actuator? If you're talking about that, I don't think that actuator is what controls the door ajar light.

Usually there is a switch, of sorts, inside the door jamb that is pushed in (by the door contacting it) when the door closes, that's what turns off the door ajar light. Maybe that is what you're taking about? I haven't looked at the ones on the Mazda, I've just noticed that's how most manufacturers do it.

[sarujo]

^ Sounds about right. My old Sentra was like this. Small rubber encased switch. TBH thou, I haven't checked the Mazda3 intimately to see if it has the same style setup.

If true, and if it's the switch, I bet it's cheaper than an actuator.

[Wes08M3]

^ Sounds about right. My old Sentra was like this. Small rubber encased switch. TBH thou, I haven't checked the Mazda3 intimately to see if it has the same style setup.

If true, and if it's the switch, I bet it's cheaper than an actuator.

Yeah that's exactly what I'm talking about. I haven't looked to see if it's on our cars either, I just assumed it is.

[Proudfoot]

Since the RR lock no longer responds to the door locks being opened or closed with the key or using the switch, makes me think that it might be the actuator. I tried pressing in the latch part, thinking that it could be a bad connection, but I think it's the former problem.
Sarujo, I will check the auto-wreckers and see what I might come up with.
Thanks, Peterm, for offering to help out.

Have a great weekend.

[Wes08M3]

A bad door lock actuator will not cause the door ajar light to come on. I'm 99% sure of this as the drivers door actuator went bad and stopped working very early on with my mom's '07 MZ3 and was replaced under warranty. The door lock just didn't function using the power lock/unlock button, absolutely no other symptoms.

[Proudfoot]

A bad door lock actuator will not cause the door ajar light to come on. I'm 99% sure of this as the drivers door actuator went bad and stopped working very early on with my mom's '07 MZ3 and was replaced under warranty. The door lock just didn't function using the power lock/unlock button, absolutely no other symptoms.

So, what do you think the problem might be with this door ajar light being on?
Thanks for your ideas.

[DarkKilla]

It isn't the door lock actuator causing this problem. Our mazda 3's actually have a door lock sensors (electrical) in each door that is triggered once the door lock latch is pressed in. Most likely it is this electrical sensor that is faulty on that door not triggering when the latch is pressed in, so the car thinks the door is still open. I had the same issue during the winter in 2011, I sprayed some electrical contact cleaner in there on a warm day and let it dry out. I had read this may temporarily help and in fact it got rid of the problem and has never come back since for me. However, I have read some people have had to fully replace the door lock sensor.

[ryanbarrie]

my friend works at standard if you tell me exactly what you're looking for I can ask..

[Wes08M3]

It isn't the door lock actuator causing this problem. Our mazda 3's actually have a door lock sensors (electrical) in each door that is triggered once the door lock latch is pressed in. Most likely it is this electrical sensor that is faulty on that door not triggering when the latch is pressed in, so the car thinks the door is still open. I had the same issue during the winter in 2011, I sprayed some electrical contact cleaner in there on a warm day and let it dry out. I had read this may temporarily help and in fact it got rid of the problem and has never come back since for me. However, I have read some people have had to fully replace the door lock sensor.

This is what I'm thinking as well. Our cars don't use the old style pin type switch that's enclosed in a rubber grommet, I took a quick look today. This led me to believe that there a sensor of some sort on the door latch itself. Where it is exactly and how is works, I'm not entirely sure but I would think that is more the area of interest, not so much the door lock actuator.

[Proudfoot]

Thanks for all your ideas and input.
I will take a look at it.
Maybe I will try the electrical cleaner/spray.
I could probably deal with the rear door lock not working and having that f-ing light off and be able to use my map and entry lights.

I did notice that the car door sounds weird when I close it (the f-ed up one) and I may adjust the silver part (hook?). I have read that that might have something to do with the sensor going wonky.

[Proudfoot]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Over the past few days, the "door ajar" light has been flickering on and off. I take this as a good thing, but there must be a connection loose.
The actuator is still a problem, but that can wait. It has nothing to do with the "ajar" light being on.

[mazdabetty]

I've mentioned it before but if you want a cheap actuator go to Kenny U-Pull in Hamilton. You're looking at mayyybe $10 at the most for one. But that's IF they have a Mazda3 in the yard. Good luck!

[Proudfoot]

I will check Kenny U-Pull in July. The f-ing light comes on and off at times, so I can inconsistently use my FOB -- what the hell does that stand for, anyway -- to lock my car. I am just pissed because I can't use my funky halogen lights when I get into the car because I have to keep them in the off position.