The average price for the power door lock switch replacement cost is between $114 and $126 for most vehicles on the road. The cost of the parts is typically around $68, while the labor ranges between $47 and $59. Since the hourly rate for most mechanics is between $80 and $120 for this procedure, the simplicity and low-intensive steps for this fix keep the billed time at around 30-40 minutes.
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What is a power door?
The power door is an electric-powered mechanism that lets passengers in and out of the vehicle quickly and efficiently. The door allows entry and exit for passengers without obstructing the pathway of the car. The door lets you quickly and effectively open the vehicle without having to manually pull too hard on the handle, letting kids and adults of all sizes and strengths quickly get in and out of the car.
The construction of the sliding power is typically used on mini buses, vans, and buses to allow for maximum space efficiency. When looking at the power door lock switch replacement cost, you need to consider any further damage to the door mechanism that can increase the labor time, the hourly labor rate, and the extensiveness of the problems in your car.
What is the power door motor?
Since the power door and the power door lock switch is essential to letting passengers in and out of the car efficiently and quickly, owners need to know how these parts function correctly in their vehicle. When activated by a button inside of the van, or by a key fob while outside of the vehicle, power doors move automatically and on their own to open and close.
The button from inside the vehicle communicates with the body control module. The body control module in your car is the “computer,” which is the electronic system responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and controlling numerous electronic accessories within the car’s body. The body control module, also known as the BCM, can affect the overall power door lock switch replacement cost if it is not working correctly.
What is the power door lock switch?
Whether this power door lock switch is located on the central console or on every door, it is in charge of locking and unlocking the doors of a vehicle when the power door locks are installed.
The power door lock switch is the central locking feature on every door in your vehicle. Without this part, the door would not securely shut and keep your internal valuables protected while you leave your car in Park overnight or for an extended period of time.
By keeping an eye on the function of your power doors and how they are supposed to operate, you can stay alert for any signs and symptoms of a faulty power door lock switch. If this is the case, you will have to obtain a quote on the power door lock switch replacement cost.
How do power door lock switches function?
Automotive switches inside the car operate and work together to control the power door lock switches located on each power door in your vehicle. When the car occupant presses the switch, the circuit is either closed or interrupted. Depending on the movement of the circuit and electrical signals, the switch then works in two different directions.
When the occupant presses the button in the lock or unlock position, the door lock actuator motor will then move in the intended direction specified by the changes within the power door lock switch. In most modern cars on the road today, this action is controlled by power and computer-controlled mechanisms.
Symptoms of a Faulty Power Door Lock Switch
As we know by now, the power door lock switch is an important component of your power doors and your car’s security. If these components do not work, your car doors will not be secured while you leave your vehicle in the park position or driving at high speeds.
Although power door lock switches are quite a simple mechanism, they are very susceptible to failure and need to be replaced quite often if they have extensive wear and tear. Due to the high frequency of use and the constant pressing by car occupants, you may find that you need to look into the power door lock switch replacement cost sooner than you originally thought.
To determine when and how much you will need to spend on the power door lock switch replacement cost, you need to know the signs and symptoms of a faulty switch. By keeping an eye and ear out for these signs, you can reduce needing to pay a hefty repair price and catch the problem before it worsens.
Door Lock Functions Only Intermittently
One of the first and most obvious signs of a potential problem with power door locks is that the door locks only work intermittently and do not constantly function at the correct level. If the electrical connections within the switch of the power door no longer work, they could have worn-down over time, eroded due to extreme use, or suffer from further damage that could cause an inability of the power door lock switches to operate.
If the door lock actuators cannot communicate with the power door lock switches, it could cause the door to only function at random intervals and not constantly. Worn-out electrical contacts can also cause the switch to quickly unlock and lock, making the driver annoyed and distracted while operating the vehicle, which could cause an unsafe driving situation.
If you find the door lock actuators do not work, this can lead to a higher power door lock switch replacement cost.
Broken Door Lock Button or Broken Rocker
Another common sign that something is wrong with your power door lock switch is a broken or malfunctioning rocker. Most door lock switches are made of plastic material, which can be highly susceptible to wear and tear, damage, or corrosion due to the frequency of use and prolonged exposure to hot conditions.
Typically, a broken door lock button or damaged rocker will require a replacement and increase the overall power door lock switch replacement cost. For the car power door to regain its original functionality, replacing both of these parts is often necessary.
Door Locks Do Not Function
Another more direct symptom of the power door lock switches not working properly is that the switch does not turn on the locks and activates the security system of the door. If the power door lock switch fails completely, it will not transmit the correct levels of power and communication to the power door lock actuators.
In this case, the door lock actuator will not cause the power door lock to function and keep the car door secured while driving or in the Park position. If you find the car door has trouble staying closed or your car door does not lock when you press the button on the door or the key fob, you will have to find the total price or the power door switch replacement cost.
Excessive Pressure to Unlock the Door
Another sign to look out for as a car owner is the need to put excess pressure to unlock the door. If this is the case, you will need to ask the mechanic about the average price for the power door switch replacement cost regarding your specific vehicle. If you have to constantly press too hard to cause the door to unlock, lock, or do both functions, this is a clear sign something is wrong with the locking mechanism.
Repetitive Attempt to Lock/Unlock the door
The final sign that something is wrong and causing the expensive power door switch replacement cost is that the lock may repeatedly or randomly attempt to unlock or lock the door during use. This is not only annoying but can result in an insecure and unsafe vehicle. This problem hints that there is a high moisture level in the power door lock switch, which is a common problem for door-mounted electronics that are prone to outside elements.
Can you drive with a faulty power door lock switch?
This answer can be quite complicated.
If you do not want to increase the power door lock switch replacement cost, then you should stop driving if you notice any of the signs or symptoms of a faulty lock. However, if you do not notice any signs but sense that you should have the power door locks checked for proper functioning, you can continue driving your car in the meantime.
If your door locks continue to function normally and keep your internal car valuables secure, as well as the passengers, then replacing the door lock switch is only a matter of replacing a part with routine maintenance. Make sure that if you choose this decision, the door locks continue functioning properly with the remote and the master switch on the driver’s side door – if one of these fails, you will have to look into the power door lock switch replacement cost.
Another factor that can influence your decision as to whether it is safe to continue driving is if there are no other means of locking the door. If your power door switch lock no longer works, and you don't have another method of keeping your car safe, then you should pay for the replacement price as soon as possible. Leaving your car exposed to the elements and potential vandalism can be dangerous and costly.
Lastly, the final factor influencing the driver’s thought process if they should replace the power door lock switch is whether they think it will affect other components. Fortunately for car owners, if you find the power door lock is not working, this will not negatively affect other internal parts that could lead to a higher power door lock switch replacement cost.
How often do I need to replace the power door lock switch?
Although there is no set interval as to the lifespan and failure rate of power door lock switches, most vehicles will require one to be replaced in their lifetime if you frequently leave your door open, use the lock switches every day, and subject the door to excessive use.
If you find there are signs and symptoms of a faulty power door lock switch, then you need to replace this part as soon as possible if you want to keep your car working at an optimal level. However, if you do not care about a slight nuisance and you can still lock your vehicle, then you could theoretically go the entire lifetime of the car without a replacement.
Since the door lock switches are used so frequently and can be easily exposed to the outdoor elements, they are subject to frequent failure, excessive use, and prolonged exposure to rain and snow. You will typically find the master switch on the driver’s side door panel would be the first part of the power door switch to fail, causing a high power door lock switch replacement cost.
How do you diagnose the power door lock switch problems?
As soon as you notice the issues with the power door lock switches, ask your mechanic for a quote on the power door lock switch replacement cost for your specific vehicle. While the door locks do not function on demand, especially if they will not work with the master switch or the remote, the door lock switch will be tested first to determine functionality.
- The mechanic can quickly and easily diagnose the switch by testing electrical connections and continuity across the switch. While the switch is cycled through the possible settings, the mechanic will determine if the electric current is still passing through the door and lock mechanism.
- If pressing the switch does not turn on the continuous electrical circuit, the mechanic will determine the switch is at fault. At this point, he will give you his quote on the power door lock switch replacement cost.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, paying the power door lock switch replacement cost is not a very costly repair for most vehicles. Although you don’t need to replace this part to keep your car working safely and effectively, it can help you keep a reliable, confident, and high-performance ride without any worries!