How to Replace Door Lock Actuator Jeep Cherokee XJ, ZJ

Detailed instructions on how to replace the power door lock actuator on Jeep Cherokee XJ and Grand Cherokee ZJ. The front actuator for the 97-01 XJ & 94-98 ZJ are interchangeable. The rear actuators are different. I have owned this Cherokee for over 10 years and have many other videos on maintaining and modifying your XJ, please subscribe, like, and share. Thank you for watching!
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[@lowellstokes5328]

Always a great job on his installs. His explanations are good and he makes it so you can actually see what to do with your own. Thx!

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, I really appreciate that, glad you liked it. 😊

[@northerndarklight5305]

Thanks, man. I have exactly the same problem with my front driver's side door. Your link took me right to the actuator I needed. I ordered it while I was watching the video. Now I have all I need to repair my '99 XJ.

[@martinbuilt]

Glad you liked it and found it helpful and thank you for supporting the channel and thanks for watching.

[@northerndarklight5305]

@@martinbuilt No problem. Great video. I got my actuator finally (the first time they shipped, they sent me jelly beans instead of an actuator). The only difference was I have power windows, and the window track is right next to the actuator itself. It makes it much harder to work around, but I knew exactly what to expect, and what had to be disconnected, thanks to your video. Took about an hour because of other complications. One of the links (to the exterior handle button) fell off. It had originally been set in place without the plastic locking clip engaged, so I had to dig it out of the bottom of the window frame. A little mild language ensued. But it's installed now, and it works like a champ. If I had tried it without watching your instructional video, I'd still be at it. Thanks again.

[@tomrodgers1578]

Thanks for the video. I'll use it to fix my 97 XJ.

[@kbru78]

Keep up the great content Martin! Fellow xj owner here. You should do a Q&A video. Alot of us are curious of your background in automotive and jeeps and all sorts of things! 😁 Keep on keepin on! 💯

[@LZDEN]

a very nice job Martin,i had the same problem with my XJ but scrap yards are few and far between here in England that have face-lift XJs,so i bought a set of 4 universal 2 wire push pull motors to fix my problem i installed the motor and used the lock unlock rod for the new motor to lock the door and unlock the door,and its been working well for the last 3 years..good work Martin.

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah I used to have the universal lock actuators for the front doors and then eventually switch them out to the factory once. Thank you LZDEN

[@mikez9799]

You the man, Martin! Thank you, Sir!

[@martinbuilt]

You are very welcome Mike, thank you.

[@kennethmiller5543]

Thanks. Excellent instruction and editing.

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, I do appreciate that.

[@davidtolley5435]

GOOD JOB

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, glad you liked it and found it helpful.

[@GoatOffroad]

Thank you! I’ll use this for our ‘93 Cherokee XJ. Super helpful!!! 😄❤️🐞

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you for watching, subscribed to you.

[@GoatOffroad]

martinbuilt - That’s awesome. Absolutely love your channel! ❤️🐞

[@arthurdolle5257]

Another well done video, appreciate your coverage of small details, thank you

[@GoldStation.117]

Great job with including the tools 🛠 🧰 ⚒️

[@martinbuilt]

Glad you liked it!

[@allensnook7760]

Great work martin,keep them coming it's always something to save a few bucks.and being a jeep owner we know doing our own work means more money to go back to pick a part.they say jeep stands for just empty every pocket.but I wouldnt have it any other way.rock on martin.!!!!snookie from pa.2002wj owner...

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you Allen, my favorite is Justify Every Expensive Purchase

[@constructiontech1970]

Very well done video!

[@ivanvujadinovic9905]

I always take an impact wrench to the yard, and use its battery to check electric components the same way you did there on the used car battery. Just another tip for anyone watching that take a drill/impact wrench to the yard ;) Great video as always!

[@martinbuilt]

I've done the same thing if the key is in the ignition to find out how many miles are on the vehicle. Thanks for commenting.

[@ivanvujadinovic9905]

@@martinbuilt For the miles, I just bought one time the a harness pigtail which connects to the cluster, and isolated the two +/- wires which illuminate the miles on it when I connect them against the drill battery I've got with me. This is on the WJ, but I assume the XJ would be the same. Maybe a good next video content idea ;)

[@saidjawadi3827]

I have grand cherokee zj td 98 and I have a big problem with the immobilizer, what can be done to limit . thank you in advance.

[@DrHavok1]

Great video thanks

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you I appreciate that! 🙂

[@martinbuilt]

Glad you liked it! 🙂

[@nathanmccumber8965]

I got 98 xj. Will 99 grand cherokee door acuator work on my xj?

[@snfpagp]

Thank you your the best

[@martinbuilt]

You're welcome!

[@johnnymatias3027]

Thanks, couldn't figure out the lock rods on mine lol.

[@martinbuilt]

Glad you found it helpful 👍 😊

[@bolerdweller]

Think there is any room to get oil into the moving mechanism in those actuators? Have a couple that eventually work if I hit the button a bunch and I think everything needs a good cleaning and oil

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah absolutely you can spray some lubricant into the door mechanism

[@sixtoe]

I know the drivers’ and passengers side locks are different, but are the front and back actuators in the ‘98 the same? In other words, can I use a front drivers’ actuator in the rear?

[@martinbuilt]

unfortunately no the front and rear are different.

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job again Martin.That would be nice to have manual windows.

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, Dan, I like the manual windows for the less weight but there are times the electrics would be nice

[@SmudgyContent]

Are u gonna do a video on installing a * Anti-theft switch?... i installed one on my 01 dakota but worry about doing them on my 07 dakota- Possibly can back feed the power and blow the junk boxes on it....

[@martinbuilt]

I have thought about doing a video on that. I have installed the anti-theft switches in both Jeeps already. The way I do it there should be no problem with power feedback.

[@itstonybro1]

Yes do this one martin. And more xj videos. I love your Jeep. I ran into you at Henderson pic a part in the same color Jeep as yours ! You recorded my Jeep 😎

[@JohnSmith-ot9sc]

Nice, did you install the keyless entry yourself? That's actually one I've been meaning to add to my XJ

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah I did install that some years ago it also has remote start, which is a nice feature.

[@bowenwhittington9896]

Thanks. All 4 of my doors are out.

[@sl.aravinda]

This is a nice video. I am also trying to do a power lock conversion this week into my 2000 XJ. I have already pulled out actuators from a 2001 XJ at the junkyard. Did you have to pul out the wiring harness for the doors or did you use the wires that came with the power lock module? Could you explain how you did this conversion with the OEM parts? I do see a connector in the tailgate that can be used for the tailgate actuator in my 200 xj and I am hoping to see these connectors in all 4 doors. Then I will have to just install the module somewhere for the remote. Any comments on my questions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[@martinbuilt]

It's been a long time since I did that conversion. But I do remember there was a lot of wiring already there from the factory. I don't remember if it made it all the way inside the door I believe it may have ended inside the pillar. And then I hooked up to my aftermarket car alarm to operate the doors. I cannot lock or unlock the doors with let's say a switch like you would find in a jeep that was already equipped. I have to use my key fob.

[@sl.aravinda]

@@martinbuilt Thank you for your timely reply. My idea is to use factory actuators for all doors and use factory wiring if possible and tap into that wiring with aftermarket key fob module. As I mentioned, the tailgate actuator connector is already there even though there is no actuator. Do you happen to have the wiring diagram for those XJ's. Thank you.

[@martinbuilt]

@@sl.aravinda yeah that sounds like it all should work. No unfortunately I don't have the wiring diagram that I know of I do have a Chilton's or some kind of manual I could have a look at it and see if has the wiring diagram.

[@allensnook7760]

Yeah that's another good one Martin I agree.love ur videos by the way.how about them wj tweeters pure junk mine are shot tryed using a junk yard set same thing.enjoyed ur singing debut.on that vid.i like the infinity sound but need a better set of tweeters any suggestions!!money's not an issue!!check out d&e utube rants on jeep gotta admit the guy knows his history and I agree mostly on his view.alas keep up the content.ur smart guy.snookie.

[@Rickie_Speed]

0:08 yo….how did you just appear? Are you magic?

[@martinbuilt]

Yeah it's a kind of magic

[@natewj1077]

Hey Martin, I just bought a 98 zj 5.9, and the only door that locks is the drivers door when using the fob, or the drivers side switch. Could this mean that the other three actuators have failed?

[@martinbuilt]

It could mean that it also could be the controller that I think is found in the passengers door panel but I'm not sure about that I know it is on a WJ. You may want to remove one of the door panels and actuator and test it.

[@natewj1077]

@@martinbuilt thank you!

[@martinbuilt]

@@natewj1077 by the congrats on the 5.9 ZJ, that's a rare one.

[@natewj1077]

@@martinbuilt thanks, it's got some issue's but I hope to work them out

[@natewj1077]

@@martinbuilt and congrats on the Dakota!

[@nobsatthistime]

Nice Job Martin, just wondering how many miles are on your XJ ? I own a 2000 XJ with 122 Thousand miles on it. One owner ride when i picked it up with 60 Thousand miles on it for 38 Hundred Bucks. The guy who bought it new paid ed 24 Thousand. I have owned it for 11 yr's and have put more miles on it then the first owner did. Spent about 15 Hundred on repairs over the 11 yr's on leafs/ coils ext. I must say these Box Jeeps are well worth the money. Only wish Fiat did not buy out Chrysler. Needless to say but the Strait Six Engine seems to be Bulletproof.

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you Charles, I couldn't say for sure on the miles cuz I changed out the gauge cluster but I would say somewhere between 240 and 260000. Still runs real strong. I agree the 4.0 is pretty much a bulletproof engine. Cherokee XJ is an awesome Jeep anyone that I know who has ever sold theirs is always said They wish they hadn't, so hang on to it. Thank you for leaving the comment.

[@nobsatthistime]

@@martinbuilt Believe me i plan on driving my Jeep until it's unfix-able or as they say until the Wheels fall off. Had many offer's from the younger generation looking to turn it into an off road ride as your's is set up. Never going to happen. It's got a 2 inch lift and is well taken care of. Thanks for all the how to videos they are very helpful.

[@martinbuilt]

@@nobsatthistime Hi Charles, yeah I've had mine now for 10 years don't think it's going anywhere. I also get offers now and then if I'm willing to sell it or not. The answer is always not

[@davef.566]

Martin go to hf buy the actual door handle trim remover:-) it also put the clip and handle back on in 2 seconds flat no bs :-)

[@martinbuilt]

yep yep already picked one up, thank you

[@teresacooper1108]

[@franny3hunna]

How much was it at the junker

[@martinbuilt]

$11 plus tax