Chevy Malibu Door lock Actuator Replacement

This Video was made on a 08 chevy Malibu, replaced the door lock actuator
Please don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more helpful videos.
Follow me on twitter.
/ shospeed
Due to factors beyond my control, I cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user.

[@JackofAll317]

Perfect video with amazing instruction! You told me what I need to do you told me what tools I need what sizes I need bro you are the MVP

[@jimsomerville3924]

Thank you for the video! Just did the driver side and it was a bit more complicated with more wiring. The wiring connector between the door and the panel needed to be dismounted from the panel to then disconnect the door side from the panel side. Also, there is an extra rod connecting the key lock cylinder to the actuator. Fortunately, the front doors have more space to wiggle and rotate the actuator around inside to connect all the rods. I actually found it easier than the rear door.

[@FalconsGarage]

Glad it helped

[@lphybridb7]

Hey man, thank you so much for the video. the heads up about the clips and how to remove them was perfect. took me 25 mins to replace mine and it was my first time. Much appreciated for the video again.

[@FalconsGarage]

Glad I could help!

[@tommyfx2234]

What A fantastic video. Great demonstration

[@FalconsGarage]

Glad you liked it!

[@myimplace7114]

Thanks for the nice video.

[@bskifton]

Question for you falcon; is there any way to re-use the old horizontal rod? The one that goes to the left inside the door. I found the actuator for $65; but I'm guessing it doesn't come with the rod.

[@FalconsGarage]

you should be able to. just be really careful when your undoing the clips to stranfer it to the new one. they are very bridle so just be careful.

[@brightful5]

Jeremy from jersey just subscribed

[@jamesmorris789]

Excellent detail!

[@amber8949]

I have a 2008 Malibu. During the warmer months my door locks seem to "act up". 3 out of the 4 doors do this but only when it's warm out. Anything below 50 degrees and it works perfectly. Would this be caused by the actuator? And what's the chances that it's that many doors on one car that have failed?

[@FalconsGarage]

+Amber T i have seen instances that I have had to replace ALL at one time. but it might also be the main window switch that it may have some liquid or something like that inside and when its warn the liquid or syrup get loose and it messes with the connector it self. but that's just ONE of many possibilities...... can you explain what exactly it does what it acts up?

[@midwestene]

Bought an 09 malibu today. Not sure why I didn't check but when I got home I realized none of the doors lock. It makes the clicking noise and you cant see faintly the lock move but you have to manually have to lock/unlock the doors. Any ideas?

[@FalconsGarage]

sounds like you have bad door lock actuators

[@Ericlmarwalker1]

My locks are jumping up locking and unlocking at anytime but I never had a remote to my 08 Chevy is this the same problem

[@FalconsGarage]

+Eric Walker to be honest with you in my personal experience it could be either the sensor that see weather the door is closed or open acting up OR the button for the lock actuator itself,BUT I'm leaning more towards this second one been that the button itself is dirty from the inside like with soda or something I do have another video showing how to clean one of these buttons on a different car but its basically the same thing. This link is for a window switch but its basically the same thing they have the same issues. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYSqiHx6hLijg6M

[@cherylallumi3018]

I did manage to replace my driver's side front door actuator yesterday, and it didn';t fix my rear doors locking/unlocking problem. So much for my evaluation of online forums. I am not giving up on them, but I need to do something else. Some one in another youtube video suggested the little rocker lock/unlock switch in the door panel might be bad, but they didn;t go into detail as far as getting these rocker switch to come of the arm rest panel of the door, and I am thinking that is my next fix, but not sure. Any advice you can give would be appreciated

[@FalconsGarage]

So you replaced the front door lock actuator soltó fix the rear lock actuator. Yeah I would check the switches. Make sure that the rear ones gets power. If it doesn’t. Check the front switch

[@jask0]

Thanks for doing the video! Unfortunately, i'm experiencing problems with my 2010 Malibu. My front passenger door lock does not always unlock/lock when I hit it on my fob or on the driver's side door switch. I have tested it many times (lock/unlock) and more often times than not.. when it does work, it will work more when I lock the door versus unlocking the door. When I manually pull it up and push it down, it will go usually after that... then it will stop working. Rinse wash repeat. Since mine still works to an extent, would you think it's the actuator? Anyone else experience this?

[@FalconsGarage]

I would say a bad actuator. Maybe something is stuck with in it. Or maybe out of grease. I would remove it and inspect it.

[@kats9169]

My two rear doors do the same thing. Usually when one of them "responds" to the button, it will only unlock half way, so when I try to open the door it opens a bit, then the lock falls and I can't open it the rest of the way. Super annoying when you have a kid!! I've had bad wiring issues with my car, so I'm hoping replacing the actuators will solve the problem, and I don't need to worry about the wiring

[@Resolve_DigitalMedia]

Hey Kat, did you ever find out if replacing all of the actuators will fix your issue? im having the same problem on my malibu. Battery test from Advanced states high voltage, then on top of all of that, the right hand side of my car sometimes works then sometimes doesnt work. my entire left hand side has to be unlocked manually at this point. its super annoying and was wondering if anyone had found a solution. Ive been on the hunt for an answer because i really dont want to dish out $600+ on parts if i really dont need to.

[@donaldfrederick1557]

Silicone spray, even on the cable for the door latch.

[@cmichael442]

I have an 09 malibu and im not sure if its the actuator thats bad on mine. The driver side lock doesnt open or close with the remote or manually. It just moves a bit but it doesent lock at all. So my driver door is always open, can't be locked with the remote or manually. what do you think it is? Good video by the way!

[@FalconsGarage]

+cmichael442 it could be the lock actuator it self that it seized from the inside and wont be able to move up or down anymore or if by any reason someone pull the door panel out maybe the cable to stuck in something, but I'm leaning towards the actuator itself.

[@cmichael442]

+Falcon's Garage yea it feels hard so its probably untouched but like you said seized up.

[@FalconsGarage]

+cmichael442 Yeah I would say actuator. I would buy it get in there to do the job and if it turn out to be like the rod stuck somewhere you can always return the actuator.

[@cmichael442]

+Falcon's Garage Good Idea. I think I might try the junk yard though. Its cheaper and if they feel like mines they probably work. Also I can practice taking the door apart there as well!

[@FalconsGarage]

sounds like a plan! good luck, let me know how it goes.

[@thumper42069]

On my 2009 Malibu. My door lock buttons don’t work but if my car is locked or unlocked and I got to open my door. All the doors will lock. What would be wrong with it

[@FalconsGarage]

maybe the button its self is dirty. I did a video on that too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYSqiHx6hLijg6M

[@reviewmaster517]

Nice video 👍. I just finished drivers side but my door handle sticks out. Any idea why?

[@reviewmaster517]

Just figured it out for anybody else having this problem. when you put the rod into the orange clip make sure your door handle is pushed all the way in first before you lock it in that will fix the problem.

[@FalconsGarage]

glad you got it fixed!

[@Mfdude716]

Hey man, I have a 2010 chevy malibu LT. My door locks don't work at all, for instance the buttons on the lock don't do anything. I would have manually lock all my doors of my car

[@FalconsGarage]

door lock actuators are known to go bad on this cars

[@rubend.rodriguezjr.530]

By any chance does anyone know where I can buy the covers that he first had to take off? I need 4, 2 for the front two doors and 2 for the two rear doors. I have a 2010 chevy impala.

[@FalconsGarage]

Ruben D. Rodriguez, Jr. Dealer

[@keishawnduvon536]

I have a 09 Malibu wen i put my car in park and drive the doors lock and unlock thy no longer respond to the button. Do u knw wat the problems r ??

[@FalconsGarage]

I would think the issue is the button

[@daviddaniel403]

my doorlocks started locking and unlocking on my 09 malibu could the switch be bad or the clicker

[@FalconsGarage]

+david daniel if I had to guess I would say the switch, the questions would be witch one.

[@aminnoorani8011]

Hey man. Thanks for your nice video. Could you please let me know where I can find this actuator online?

[@FalconsGarage]

I bought it online. I would recommend getting it there just because if something goes wrong its a pain in the butt to return online.

[@aminnoorani8011]

thanks bud

[@FalconsGarage]

Glad I could help!

[@35delgadoj]

What could it be if the locks only work with the remote and not the buttons on the doors

[@FalconsGarage]

i would check the buttons them self's

[@TheTrigga75]

Just a question, how can you tell that the door actuator... needs to be replaced???

[@FalconsGarage]

Travis Walters usually when you press the lock or unlock button it dosent move or it dosent unlock it all the way. thats after checking that the right power and grounds are been sent to the actuator

[@cashbanx5732]

Maybe this can help , my doors keep locking and unlocking on its on , repeatedly . Is this the solution to fix it ?

[@cashbanx5732]

This didn’t start happening until I experienced rain on the door panel , our summer is ending and so is the weather .

[@FalconsGarage]

it could be

[@reyesjose214]

My passenger front door and back driver side door at times lock/unlock with the remote and manually what can it be????

[@FalconsGarage]

explain that again please

[@theninjaturtels1]

Hey I have an 08 Malibu and my lock and unlock buttons work inside my car but my car doors won’t lock or unlock, do you have an idea of what the problem could be ? I am not sure if it’s the solenoid or actuator or fuse

[@FalconsGarage]

what do you mean the button works .. but it wont unlock .. could you explain a little better please

[@theninjaturtels1]

Falcon's Garage The door locks on the inside of the car are still functional, they can still lock and unlock my passenger seat door and everything but on my driver door it does not go down or up any more and I’m pretty sure I could hear the motor working in it

[@theninjaturtels1]

Falcon's Garage the actual door lock itself will move and then not work could this be signs for something about to die or is it getting stuck ? Thanks

[@RamtownMike]

I have an 2009 Chevy Malibu and for sometime now my rear passenger door will not unlock with the rest of the doors. But the last few days even the other three door locks don't always unlock or just one or two will unlock. This seems to occur in the daytime (we've had 90 plus degree weather lately), but the problem doesn't occur much at night. Does this sound like actuator problem to you ? Or what else do you think this could this be ?

[@MirandaFisher]

Michael Santanello I have the same exact car my driver side lock and unlock completely stopped working and if I unlock it with the key fob or passenger side door unlock and lock only some doors will open or lock it seems to be worse in the heat

[@RamtownMike]

@@MirandaFisher - Sorry to hear that. Mine lock/unlocking of doors is not too bad at night. But during the day in this summer heat, it's really bad. I'm not sure what to do about it either.

[@FalconsGarage]

so the issue gets worst when its hot? i could check the connections .. that's weird

[@MirandaFisher]

Michael Santanello the wiring on the chevys are terrible I will never get one again GM needs to figure their stuff out

[@RamtownMike]

@@FalconsGarage - so check the connections to the Actuator ?

[@tylervillanueva9191]

My exterior driver door handle won't connect to anything on the inside (rods)when I put it on, I can only open it from the inside. Any way to fix or any suggestions?

[@FalconsGarage]

It has to be connected to something. Did you check it?

[@tylervillanueva9191]

@@FalconsGarage i removed the door handle and the little plastic thing broke that connects the handle with the rod

[@Masterahsoka]

Hi, Im attempting to lock/ unlock my car, sometimes it works sometimes it wont respond by pressing the door buttons. Could it be the actuator

[@FalconsGarage]

could be the actuator or the buttons

[@Masterahsoka]

Falcon's Garage :(

[@johngonzales4806]

Is replacing the rear door locks basically the same as the front?

[@FalconsGarage]

John Gonzales basically yes. might be on a different position. but yes same procedure

[@johngonzales4806]

What was the part number and how much did it cost for one actuator? Thanks

[@FalconsGarage]

really dont remember the part number but it was around $130

[@kevin2xx510]

My passenger door on my 2008 chevrolet malibu doesn’t open. Do i need to do this?

[@FalconsGarage]

maybe .. could be the actuator

[@darenmaclean3199]

Hey man my car the driver door latch doesnt lock into the metal , does this fix the issue?

[@FalconsGarage]

lock into the metal?

[@tonydachille3216]

Your a door thats open mine does not open

[@FalconsGarage]

you might have to take off panel to be able to open it

[@christophervarela7699]

I too am having trouble with my 2010 Malibu with the locks locking and unlocking by themselves. We already had our car get into by strangers because of this.

[@IrvenScott-me3fb]

Why do my locks lock@ then unlock when driving or when parked by themselves

[@FalconsGarage]

its a setting from the car .. check settings on the dash .. most cars have them there

[@jerrelwashington4707]

My door locking and unlocking and my start remote stop working what could it be 2010 malibu

[@FalconsGarage]

dont really understand it the way you worded it ... but if i had to guess you have a bad remote

[@kendalford1]

Hey I have a 2008 malibu & my locks repeatedly lock & unlock randomly whether I'm driving, parked or even when the cars off it continues to randomly keep locking & unlocking any idea what it maybe???

[@FalconsGarage]

Could be that there is water damage inside the switch itself

[@kendalford1]

@@FalconsGarage how would I find out if it is or not? Do I need to take my door panel off or something?

[@FalconsGarage]

@@kendalford1 yes. You would have to remove the switch open it up and instale t it.

[@FalconsGarage]

@@kendalford1 kinda like this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYSqiHx6hLijg6M

[@kendalford1]

@@FalconsGarage I can't get the switch button off I'm not sure how to get thee actual switch off to clean it out

[@headboil]

😎👍👍

[@armonmccord7257]

what if the doors wont open at all?.?

[@FalconsGarage]

Could you explain that a little better? Will it not unlock? Does the handle feel loose?

[@armonmccord7257]

+Falcon's Garage yes the handle is loose and yes it will lock and unlock.... the door won't open from the inside or outside.

[@FalconsGarage]

Could be the actuator or a loose rod in the inside.... I would remove it to see what's going on

[@lifegoeson008]

I have the same issue. My front passenger door will not open from the outside or inside. When I took it to the dealer, they wanted to charge me $600 to repair it. I have a case open with GM and have been back and forth with them on this issue. No resolution yet.

[@FalconsGarage]

damn, that sucks

[@balkey312]

window must be up!!

[@bcuzz571]

Balkey312...at what point in the process?

[@balkey312]

@@bcuzz571 When removing the actuator. If the window is down, you won't be able to get it out.