How hard is it to replace an actuator?

I've owned 2 92 camrys, a 97 avalon, and a '00 rx300. I currently own a 05 corolla, a 04 prius and an 05 prius and can tell you from experience that drivers window regulators and door lock actuators are the weak points of toyotas.

I believe my dealer quoted me around $340 per door to fix this problem out of warranty, this includes the part (unfortunately you have to replace the entire locking mechanism), sales tax and 45 minutes labor.

It is my belief that this problem can also be a forewarning that your 12V battery is going to need replacement soon as I believe that the decreased voltage it sends out is unable to give enough juice for the actuator to overcome the friction needed to unlock the door. When I push the buttons you can still hear the actuator trying to work and the lock wiggles around but just can't make it all the way to the unlock position.

As proof I had this problem on my 05 prius, usually the drivers door and one other one (I never knew which one it would be) wouldn't work, and when I replaced the 12V battery the problem went away!!! Its not a big deal with your other doors, but with the drivers door I find its best to separate the key from the fob, keep the fob safely in your pocket, and just use the key to unlock the drivers door (its hard to get enough torque on that little key to turn the lock w/o hurting your thumb!!). I find that is less embarrassing and time-consuming than getting into the passenger door and reaching across to unlock the drivers door.

So go into maintenance mode and check your 12V voltages, I'm not sure how many miles you have or if you've ever had your 12V battery replaced, but changing that is much easier and cheaper than replacing a locking mechanism. That being said I think I saw a post here where someone claimed to have changed just the actuator, but I don't think it was a walkthough with detailed pictures.

Changing the actuator or the entire locking mechanism is more difficult than changing the battery or fluids. I'd say its on par with replacing our surpentine belt or even the PCV and spark plugs. Its doable but not for a novice DIYer.

 

I forgot the mention that Toyota will not sell you just the actuator as they claim it is built into the entire locking mechanism. So the guy who claimed to replace just the actuator picked up some generic actuator form an auto supply store, again you have to be very expert to even attempt this repair. Any mistake may disable door speakers and proper operation of the window.

Similarly many Prius owners such as myself have walked into the parts department looking to replace just the drivers door arm rest which has gotten yucky over time . . . no luck, again, toyota won't sell just the armrest, you have to buy the entire door panel, it was a long time ago but I think it was around $700 with tax.

I understand companies can't sell every single nut and bolt on a car individually, but if a certain part turns out to be a common problem they should make an attempt to help owners fix the problem as cheaply as possible.

For example, many HID owners have a problem with corrosion ruining the headlight level sensor, the msrp on this part is around $340, but includes a bunch of stuff that isn't broken, toyota won't sell just the sensor which would probably cost less than $100. Since this problem is so common I think they should even sell a $5 repair kit which includes new springs and dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. But does toyota make any attempt to help us out?? Nope

 

06 PRIUS RIGHT REAR DOOR ACTUATOR | eBay

Above link is for a 06 door actuator on Ebay.
I've replaced one, it wasn't too difficult, you may have to buy a torx set, and it helps if you're comfortable taking off car door panels. Believe instructions are on the net. I've taken one apart, small springs sprung, I greased it, but lost the power function for it when I reassembled it. I'll eventually replace it, but that door (LR) is rarely used for me, so I don't care.
Edit. If the door lock is difficult to operate manually also, its important to replace/fix it as it may soon freeze shut, and taking a door panel off a -closed- door is really difficult.

some info here on the basic door panel removal, 2010 is similiar is looks to me.
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...oval-front-door-speaker-removal-pictures.html

Adding link (go to second page) requested on second page of this thread. Actuator dissassembly and greasing.
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-care-maintenance-troubleshooting/101099-no-power-locks-only-hatch-works-2.html

 

Ugh...taking apart door panels and replacing actuators is a PITA. If you have never done anything like this before, pay someone to do it for you. Trust me.

 

11.2V is getting down there.

If you've taken panels off before without breaking things, then you can do it. It is just not the sort of thing you want to try on your own for the first time.

 

another poster just posted a new thread showing his locking mechanism opened up, he said he cleaned it, put new grease in, and all is working well again, I've asked him to post more pictures, more detailed instructions, and tell us what type of grease to use now I'm just waiting for his response.

 

I don't know how, its by christyrell, the thread is called 'No power locks only hatch works' and its in this very same gen II maintenance forum near the top, not hard to find.