Door Lock Actuator - Rear

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear door lock actuator on a 2007 Ram 3500 4WD with the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear door lock actuator × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Door panel retaining clips × 1 — Purchase replacement set as needed

Preparation

1. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes for any stored electrical charge to dissipate
2. Roll down rear door window completely before disconnecting battery
3. Park vehicle on level surface and ensure adequate lighting in work area
4. Prepare a clean work surface or blanket to place removed door panel

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove door panel fasteners
   Use the appropriate driver (verify Torx size or Phillips per service manual) to remove the screw from the door pull handle cup. Remove Phillips screw from bottom rear corner of door panel. If equipped with manual window, remove window crank handle retaining clip with trim tool and remove handle. If power windows, use trim tool to carefully pry out power window/lock switch bezel and disconnect electrical connector.
2. 2

   Remove door panel
   Starting at bottom rear corner, use door panel removal tool to carefully release panel retaining clips working around perimeter of door panel. Lift door panel up and away from door frame to disengage from window sill channel. Set panel on clean work surface with interior side facing up.
3. 3

   Remove water shield access
   Carefully peel back plastic water shield membrane only enough to access the door lock actuator area. The actuator is located in the lower rear section of the door near the latch mechanism. Do not remove entire water shield unless necessary as it can be difficult to reseal properly.
4. 4

   Disconnect lock rod linkages
   Locate the door lock actuator mounted to the door latch assembly. Using needle nose pliers, carefully disconnect the plastic lock rod clips connecting the actuator to the door lock mechanism. Note the orientation and position of each rod connection. There are typically rods connecting to the outside door handle and the inside lock/latch mechanism. Note that rear doors on this vehicle do not have an exterior key cylinder, so linkage arrangement differs from the front doors.
   ⚠Lock rod clips are fragile and can break if excessive force is applied; work carefully and pry gently
5. 5

   Disconnect actuator electrical connector
   Press the locking tab on the actuator electrical connector and carefully disconnect it from the actuator. Use electrical connector pick if needed to release stubborn locking tab. Ensure connector remains accessible and does not fall behind door structure.
6. 6

   Remove actuator mounting fasteners
   Using the appropriate Torx driver, remove the latch/actuator retaining bolts (typically three) located on the door shut face (door edge) securing the door lock latch/actuator assembly. Verify bolt count and size against the vehicle service manual. Support the actuator while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling into the door cavity.
7. 7

   Remove actuator from door
   Carefully maneuver the actuator assembly out through the door access hole. You may need to angle and rotate the actuator to clear internal door structures. If lock rods are still attached, disconnect them now by releasing the clips at the actuator end.
8. 8

   Install new actuator
   Position the new door lock actuator into the door cavity and align it with the mounting holes on the door latch assembly. Install the latch/actuator mounting bolts and tighten to the manufacturer's specification (verify count, size, and torque value in the vehicle service manual) to ensure even seating of the actuator against the door.
9. 9

   Connect lock rod linkages
   Reconnect the door lock rods to the new actuator using the plastic clips. Ensure each rod snaps firmly into place and moves freely without binding. Verify correct rod placement by comparing to photos taken during disassembly.
10. 10

    Connect electrical and test
    Reconnect the electrical connector to the new actuator, ensuring the locking tab clicks into place. Temporarily reconnect the battery negative terminal. Test the door lock operation from both the interior switch and key fob to verify proper actuator function before reassembling door panel. Disconnect battery again before proceeding.

Reassembly

1. Press water shield membrane back into place, ensuring complete seal around edges to prevent water intrusion
2. Position door panel onto door, engaging top edge into window sill channel first, then pressing firmly around perimeter to seat all retaining clips
3. Reinstall all door panel fasteners including window switch bezel, door pull handle screw, and bottom corner screw
4. Reconnect battery negative terminal and test all door functions including locks, windows, and handles

Verification

• Test door lock operation from interior switch - should lock and unlock smoothly without hesitation or noise
• Test door lock operation from key fob - verify both lock and unlock commands work properly
• Test manual door lock operation from interior lock button if equipped
• Open and close door from both interior and exterior handles to verify proper latch engagement
• Verify door panel is secure with no rattles or loose clips
• Check that water shield is properly sealed to prevent water entry into door cavity

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle