My key doesn't open the door. The dealer said it was the actuator. The stereo shop said I have an aftermarket one.

I used to be able to unlock/lock the doors with the alarm (but not key). That doesn't work aymore. I was not able to use the key when the remote did work, so I don't understand how this part fixes the problem?

Has anyone had a similar problem?

 

if the actuator is "seized" up, then there would be a problem. however, if that was the case, you would hear the actuator trying to unlock the door, and the door would remain locked.

try replacing the actuator first. you can purchase one at any local stereo shop for anywhere from 45-90.00.....

make sure that the connecting rod that attaches to the actuator is as straight as possible. if it gets in a bind, it can make the locking/unlocking very difficult, and shorten the life of the actuator from there...

-louis

 

He said he disconected the actuator and now the key works. I still think this is strange. The actuator prevented the door lock from being unlocked/locked by the key. Oh, and at first he said he would order a new actuator but then later he said since I don't have a factory alarm, that I can't use the factor Mazda one.

I thought it was the lock cylinder that was broke. He said he replaced one yesterday with one from a Protoge that is metal instead of plastic.

So if I go to a stere/alarm shop and install a new one, is my key not going to work again?

Thanks for the reply Luis. I will double check that rod and replace if bent.

 

yes, the key should always work. the actuator should be able to move with the key, and is triggered by the signal from the alarm.

most likely, the actuator was seized up....

louis

 

Yup, I've got the same problem as you do. Key doesn't work, but door unlocks using the alarm remote. Haven't had a good sus through my door's internal's yet, but maybe ... aftermarket alarms using different-to-original actuators don't really work all that great with the key.

R_Xplicit's explanation regarding the bent-rod idea would be the more plausible idea.