Mazda5 Sliding Doors Unlock Problem (Actuators)

[purplepirate]

I had the same problem, first on the passenger side sliding door. Actuator replaced at Lou Fusz Mazda, St. Louis.

Then the problem came back, but on the drivers side sliding door. I took it to Fitzgerald Mazda, Frederick, MD, and they reported that the car is operating normally.

I know what normal operation is, and it is not having to press the unlock button 8 times before the door will unlock.

It is also not an issue with the remote, since the blinkers flash and the lock actuators all make their clunking sound with every press. This problem started after the recall repair of potentially freezing locks.

 

[doctorz]

so the 5 went to our new dealer in Arkansas this week to get the TSB done on the front stabilizer bars, the suspension started clunking. I asked them about the rear passenger lock and they ordered the actuator and will be replacing it next week.

I have to give this dealer a ton of credit, they seem to actually hunt down problems and fix things. The previous dealer we used in Maryland "couldn't replicate" the problem and never bothered to replace the actuator (although to their credit, they managed to fix our squealing A/C belt).

And I'm really glad our 5 has the 4 yr/50K warranty. We're just past 36K miles. Gives us some more time to sort out any remaining issues.

 

[Mntnbkr]

doctorz-

Good for you, good for them.

Our doors actually unlock now, since the actuators were replaced by the stealership, and no more delayed clunk/lock actuator noise as the rear door tried to unlock but could not.

By the way - who was your MD dealer - would be nice to know who to avoid as I am on my second dealership and not overly happy? What's up with Mazda dealerships/dealerships in general these days - do they intentionaly want PO'd, unsatisfied customers? Their customer service is weak and questionable...

Please post back on the front stabilizer TSB and let me know if it solves the "speed bump/hump squeek" - is this the front end noise you have?
Also, where is your clunk from - our was from the right rear and turned out to be a blown shock/strut. Kudos to our dealership for solving that one - one issue resolved to my satisfaction.

Cheers.

 

[doctorz]

We were using Heritage Mazda in Owings Mills. They were actually okay, they figured out the squealing A/C issue, I give 'em credit for that. They were honest and certainly tried. But they told me Mazda wouldn't pay for warranty repairs unless a tech duplicated the problem, hence no fix on the actuator.

At the risk of getting off the thread topic...the clunking issue is getting interesting. I thought was coming from the rear. Crain Mazda in Little Rock told me it was the front, they had front stabilizer bar bushings in stock and replaced them. They said the rear looked fine. Meanwhile the actuator had to be ordered. I drive off, notice the car is quieter, it steers great again, but I still hear some noise from the rear. Four days later I return to get the actuator installed and I ask them to look at the rear again. They hear the noise in the rear but still can't find anything obvious. They said the TSB points to "lots of possibilities" and they've ordered the rear stabilizer bar bushings as a start, and I have to go back in the next couple of days to get them installed. They said the shocks look fine.

So in other words...the suspension noise was coming from the front and the rear. I'm planning on posting more when the saga is done, hopefully soon. Thus far this dealer is the most responsive of any I've dealt with (I've had Mazdas in four different states). I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

At least moving this far south has solved one problem...I'm not expecting many days of sub-15 degree temps to bring out the squeaky suspension and the crackling dash!

 

[john73]

problems with rear door actuator

Hello!

I'm having a problem with my rear door actuator on my Mazda Premacy. The door does not lock/open centrally anymore and the actuator makes a strange noise (a kind of whining sound).
Could anyone tell me how to disasemble the actuator and how could I repair this actuator (if anyone has already done that)?

Many thanks!

 

[mazdadude]

I had some problems in that area on mine, however they were taken care of under warranty. 2x the drivers side sliding door actuator was replaced. The problem or symptom, was the door would not unlock unless the unlock button on the keyfob was pressed 3-4 times. It seemed as if the actuator mechanism was "trying" to work, but you would hear a sickly slow solenoid sound.

Out of curiosity, I just looked in the factory service repair manual for my 2006, and it does not show a detailed diagram of it, and offers no repair instructions, it simply says to replace faulty part.(argh)

However, if mine was not under warranty, I would attempt to examine and service the actuator assy., as it just might need a little lubrication, or a rod/clip popped back on?

 

[coolmazda5]

Oh well, it is now happening to my 06, it was a fun 4 years without the issue (screwy), but hey, still under warranty. I'll use what I can get.

Yes, the typical now sluggish sound but nothing happens (randomly), getting more obnoxious now that temperature is going down. It happens on the driver's side rear door...

Could somebody please confirm the part number? My research got me to Mazda part C245-72-350 (Electrical - Body electrical - Rear door - Lock actuator) but not sure.

Thanks!

 

[skyhawk]

Out of curiosity, I just looked in the factory service repair manual for my 2006, and it does not show a detailed diagram of it, and offers no repair instructions, it simply says to replace faulty part.(argh)

However, if mine was not under warranty, I would attempt to examine and service the actuator assy., as it just might need a little lubrication, or a rod/clip popped back on?

I have seen this in other vehicles (i.e. toyota previa). There is an assembly that includes a small motor. There are gears. motor turns in one direction, door unlocks. Other direction, door locks. So everytime you press on that remote control, motor operates. Motor has a carbon brush (tiny ones) that is expected to wear out after sometime. It is not worth the time fixing the motor itself. too tiny.

There are plastic gears that can break. But chances are there is already a 'flat spot' on the motor commutator wherein current will not flow. Which explains the intermittent nature of the problem. Dealer tech will not bother
finding out if they can just lubricate it. They will shove in new parts and off you go. Saves them time and minimizes chances of customer coming back for same problem.

Tiny parts like these that can break within 5 years.. seem to justify the extended warranty.

 

[KBrian]

Hope I can squeeze in this question about locks. '07 GT when unlocked with remote, relocks automatically in about 30 sec.s if a door is not opened. Is this normal?

 

[skyhawk]

Hope I can squeeze in this question about locks. '07 GT when unlocked with remote, relocks automatically in about 30 sec.s if a door is not opened. Is this normal?

It is normal. Added safety in case you 'unlock' the car and somehow remember you forgot something.. you don't want the car unsecured. Also if you pressed the 'unlock' by mistake instead of the 'lock'. You'll be assured the car will lock itself up.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

It is normal. Added safety in case you 'unlock' the car and somehow remember you forgot something.. you don't want the car unsecured. Also if you pressed the 'unlock' by mistake instead of the 'lock'. You'll be assured the car will lock itself up.

Is there a way to turn this feature on and off?

I THOUGHT my 06 Premacy had this, could have sworn it did. Well when I first got it, it did. So one day, after I took off the negative battery cable to do some fog lamp work, etc. Its not done it since, will not self lock anymore.

Thanks is advance! (first)

Peace!(rei)

 

[coolmazda5]

Could somebody please confirm the part number? My research got me to Mazda part C245-72-350 (Electrical - Body electrical - Rear door - Lock actuator) but not sure.

Bump, I just want to make sure they don't try to change some other thing. If they are going to open the door panels, they better get it right at the 1st try

Thanks!

 

[deisz001]

I've got the same problem with my Dutch 2005 Mazda5. The lock on the sliding door often only opens after 2 presses on the remote. I'm quite sure it has something to do with lubrication, since once it has opened succesfully, I can close and open it without a problem. It's only after the car has been parked for a longer period (e.g. during the night), that the problem occurs.