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Like to continue this with little more info... currently feel actuators may be failing.
I’ve installed a mechanical spring popper, before screwing it in place did a few tests to see where it contacted the body... during the tests, it threw the door open quite nicely... but only for 1-2 tests, then would stop... maybe make a weak solenoid noise, maybe not. After a short time passage it might pop. Over the course of mechanical popper setup the tests got weaker solenoid response with a few good pops.
Removed interior panel and door actuator... in hand it does respond via dash button & FOB (noticed parking lights flash with FOB popper). Closing latch and visually watching when activating does not release / open latch. Thinking it needed tension, I latched it to the door striker and created tension by applying a pulling pressure by hand; again hitting button creates a solenoid noise but no release of latch. Visually inspecting actuator, I can hear solenoid, and slightly feel the actuator.
These are about $150 each, so was attempting to rule out variables. By hearing solenoid within actuator, this basically rules out the other relays/solenoids in the circuit... providing voltage is adequately within specs... in my opinion. Am I overlooking something? The latch mechanism locks & releases freely when manually cycling in hand and releasing with manual lever. The latch slide does show wear where striker has rubbed, but I’d rate it as light-normal wear, not excessive dragging or wearing it down like I’ve seen on many doors.
Do these actuators have a known failure, especially if poppers weren’t performing previously consistently & maybe having previous Owner cycle the actuators often?
It looks well lubricated, is it possible to squirt a little contact cleaner in the solenoids?
There are 6 torx screws on top, removed those and tried to open actuator up to clean and inspect but it looks like the mechanical links to latch are spot welded on after case is assembled, tried to pull it apart but felt I was going to break it before opening. So no, the solenoid is under the molded cover.
Yes, all latch links have a nice clean coat of... appears to be white lithium grease... all float in movement smoothly.
For a test, I pulled the Lf Rr Actuator out of my other Panel. It's performing nicely and not being used while taken apart adding new mods.
Bingo... nice strong pop consistently via dash button or FOB. As a test, Installed questionable actuated into other Panel and it behaved poorly like first Panel.
