How to Change door lock actuator on astro van?

Answer 1

Make sure you carefully remove the interior door panel. Some or most of the small push-in fasteners may break off. No worry, though, as these are readily available at your local GM dealer. As part of the removal, you need to remove the armrest pad and lock/handle plastic trim bezel before attempting to remove the door panel. Once the panel is off, take care not to rip or perforate the black foam "rain shield" that covers the inside of the door. It keeps water from coming through into the passenger compartment!! The lock modulator is inside the door so you may have to carefully lift up the rain shield to see and get to it. (The shield should be re-attached to the door shell after your new item is installed.) The modulator is riveted to the door shell so you will have to use a 3/16th inch drill bit and drill out the center of the aluminum rivets so you can remove the modulator. The new one, if it's a "direct-fit" type like factory ones, will simply use the existing wiring plugs and door shell mounting holes. Per the factory service manual, the new modulator should be riveted in place using new aluminum rivets. If you don't have a pop-rivet gun, you can pick one up reasonably. Just use the same size rivets as needed to fit the holes. Once you are done inside the door, re-attach the rain shield, re-attach the door panel, then the arm rest and the lock switch's bezel. (Note: if you have manual crank windows, I recommend you use the proper tool to get the handles off. There is a "C" clip holding them on and this cheap tool makes handle removal a snap and you won't damage the interior door mechanism or the trim panel. Go to it!!