The Mustang was Lee Iacocca's dream child, first conceived in 1961 as a car to be no longer than 180 inches, less than 2,500 lbs. and less than $2,500. The first Mustang rolled off the assembly line in March, 1964. The door lock actuator in a 1984 model is a singular stand-alone unit under the door latch, secured with a -inch rivet. It is a reversible motor with a single rod connected to the door lock mechanism on the door latch. Later Mustangs use a combination door latch and lock mechanism.
Instructions
- 1
Remove the Phillips screws in the armrest and the one just forward of the inside door handle. Insert the common screwdriver under the rear of the power window switch panel and pry it up. Lift the switch out of the door panel and disconnect the electrical plugs from the rear of the switch.
2Pry the side view mirror cover off with the screwdriver. Slide the common screwdriver between the door panel and the door at the lower rear corner. Pry the plastic trim fasteners out of the door on the sides and bottom of the door panel. The Mustang door panel is just a heavy piece of cardboard covered with vinyl, and is easily torn. Make sure the screwdriver is against the trim fastener and twist the screwdriver slightly to extract the fasteners to prevent them from breaking and the panel from tearing.
3Tilt the lower portion of the door panel outward and lift it to release it from the top door sill. Peel back the moisture shield to expose the opening in the door to access the door lock mechanism.
4Look in the access panel and under the door latch mechanism. The door lock actuator is the round object secured to the door with a plastic bracket. The actuator has one rod extending upward to the door latch and secured there with a plastic retainer. Reach in and unplug the electrical connector at the door lock actuator.
5Follow the rod from the door lock actuator to the door latch, and with needle nose pliers, unsnap the plastic rod retainer and swivel it upward to remove the rod from the door latch.
6Drill the center of the rivet retaining the door lock actuator bracket. Use a chisel and hammer to knock off the remaining rivet head. Remove the actuator from the door and twist it out of the plastic bracket. Install the new actuator in the bracket.
7Place the door-lock actuator in the door and align the hole in the bracket with the rivet hole in the door. Install a new rivet with the rivet gun. Place the rod into the door latch locking arm and swivel the plastic retainer down and snap it on the rod. Plug in the electrical connector.
8Place the moisture shield back in place. Install the door panel over the door lock rod and hook the upper part of the door panel to the top sill and lower the panel into place. Align the trim fasteners with the holes in the door and push them in. Install the Phillips screws and the upper side view mirror cover.
9Hold the window switch panel close to the door panel and plug in the electrical plugs. Push the front part of the panel into the hole and lower the rear of the panel. Snap it down into the panel.
