Install Door Lock Actuators on a 2001 Jeep Cherokee

Any mobile electronics should be installed by a certified professional. However, if you believe yourself to be knowledgeable with mobile electronics and the electrical workings of a vehicle, following these steps will teach you how to install door lock actuators. Every vehicle is different and every locking mechanism is different. These steps will feature a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, with a previously installed remote start and keyless entry system, and with a metal rod that controls the door lock. This method of installing door lock actuators must be installed in conjunction with a keyless entry system. Before working on components in your vehicle, always make sure the negative battery cable is disconnected.

Steps

1. Make a vehicle checklist and inspect each item on the list.
   • Doing an inspection ensures you know for sure what was installed has not caused damage to the vehicle.
   • Things to check are parking lights, headlights, power windows (if equipped), turn signals, power seats, heated seats (if equipped), horn, sunroof (if equipped), window wipers, and brake lights. Be as thorough as possible.
   • Note any prior damage to interior and exterior of the vehicle. Things to look for are stains, burn holes, seat tears, and if there are any lights on the dash like engine light. For the exterior of the vehicle look for scratches, dents, or paint damage.
2. Remove the under-dash beneath the steering wheel.
   • The panel is held on by 3 Phillips head screws on the bottom of the panel.
   • After the screws are removed there are fasteners on each side of the top of the panel that need to be pried off. Exercise caution when pulling this panel off.
3. Remove the driver kick panel.
   • Before this panel can be removed one screw from the running board needs to be removed to allow the kick panel to be taken out.
   • Removing this panel help in the running of wires into the vehicle in later steps.
4. Remove the driver door panel.
   • There are five total screws that are in the door panel. Three are located in the armrest. One is behind the handle. The last screw is in the upper right part of the panel.
   • In addition to the screws there are numerous Christmas tree style clips scattered along the perimeter of the panel. Using a panel popping tool will help in doing this.
   • There is two metal rods secured in a plastic housing that need to be removed. One of those rods will be used in the installation of the actuator. There are also to clips that will need to be removed.
   • In addition to the driver door panel being removed, any other door you wish to install an actuator on will need to be removed as well.
   • In this how-to, only the driver door actuator installation will be covered. But, the other door will follow a similar process.
5. Locate the driver door speaker, and remove it.
   • Two screws hold this speaker on. After removing the screws remove the clip on the rear of the speaker.
   • Removing the speaker will allow easier wire running in the later steps.
6. Locate one of the metal rods that was clipped earlier.
   • The bottom metal rod controls the opening and closing of the door. This one will NOT be used.
   • The top metal rod controls the locking and unlocking of the door. This one WILL be used.
7. Unbox the door actuator. Put the supplied metal rod through the hole of the actuator.
   • The actuator comes with a metal rod, long blue and green wires, a mounting strap, and the metal fastener that will connect the actuator to the metal rod that controls the lock.
8. Locate a spot on the door frame where the actuator will sit.
   • This spot needs to be out of the way of any moving part on the door.
   • This spot also needs to be out of the way of the door panel that will sit on top of it.
9. Secure the actuator to the door, using the supplied metal strap and screws.
   • Always look twice and drill once. Make sure there is nothing behind the screws before drilling.
   • Not following this method could result in damage to something in the door.
10. Secure the metal rod from the actuator to metal rod controlling the lock using supplied fastener.
    • Make sure this connection is tight.
    • If this connection ever fails the actuator will be useless until fixed.
11. Test fit the door panel back on the door.
    • Install and uninstall the door panel many times to ensure the chosen mounting spot works.
    • Adjust mounting location if necessary.
12. Run the green and blue wires from the actuator to the rubber grommet connecting the door to the car.
    • When running the wires make sure they are away from any moving parts in the door.
    • Secure the wires using tape or zip ties to make sure they do not move.
13. Fish the two wires through the rubber grommet to the inside of the vehicle.
    • A wire fishing tool is the best option to do this. They are made specifically to do this job.
    • Removing the grommet can assist in this process.
    • While using something like a hanger will work, hangers are very rigid and will typically have a sharp end which can pierce wires or even the grommet itself. If this is your only option exercise caution.
    • Replace grommet if removed
14. Run the two wires from the actuator to the already installed aftermarket key-less entry.
    • Typically the brain of the key-less entry system is installed under the dash of the car.
    • During this time locate the lock and unlock wires from the key-less entry system and disconnect them wherever they are hooked up.
15. Plug in the white connector from the 451m into the appropriate spot on the key-less entry system.
    • A 451m is used because aftermarket key-less entry systems do not provide enough of an output to push the newly installed actuators.
    • These three wires can be hardwired if your key-less entry system does not have a spot that it can be plugged in.
    • The red wire supplies power to the 451m. The green and blue wire provide triggers to the two built in relays of the 451m.
16. Connect the rest of the wires on the 451m.
    • There are five total wires on the 451m. You will only use three of them.
    • Connect the purple wire to a constant 12 volt source. Always test using a multi-meter before attaching.
    • The green/black wire from the 451m needs to be connected to the lock wire from the key-less entry system.
    • The blue/black wire from the 451m needs to be connected to the unlock wire from the key-less entry system.
17. Reconnect negative battery cable.
    • This will allow for testing of the actuators.
18. Install the door panels and perform several functionality checks of the actuators.
    • Lock and unlock the car many times to make sure the actuators work.
    • There is nothing worse then putting a car back together and what was installed does not work the way you want it too.
19. Secure key-less entry brain. Use a zip tie, and secure it back into where it was initially.
20. Reinstall panels. These include the driver door speaker, driver door panel, driver kick panel, and under-dash.
21. Perform vehicle checklist again. Ensure everything still operates normally.

Warnings

• While this guide is designed to help in the installation of door actuators, wires still need to be tested before hooking up using a digital multimeter.

Things You'll Need

• A previously installed aftermarket key-less entry system
• Door actuators
• A 451m or two separate relays
• Various hand tools (screwdrivers, nut drivers, drill and crimpers),
• A digital multi-meter
• Some bell caps to attach wire to each other

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