How to Fix Electric Door Locks on a 2004 Ford F150

The 2004 Ford F150 has a combination door latch and lock mechanism. The door lock actuator is a separate part that can be separated from the door latch. You must remove the entire door latch to separate the two from one another. It is a mildly complicated process, involving removing the door panel, the outside door handle, window channel and door latch mechanism.

Things You'll Need

• ¼-inch-drive ratchet and socket set
• ¼-inch extension, 12-inches long
• Phillips screwdriver
• Number 27 Torx bit in a ¼-inch drive
• Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Place the window in the full up position. Remove the screws at the bottom of the door panel using the Phillips screwdriver. Pry off the large door panel cover over the speaker using a screwdriver. Remove the four screws around the speaker. Remove the bolts above the speaker that are concealed by the speaker, using a socket.

2. Remove the plastic cover behind the inside door handle by prying it out and removing the two bolts behind it with a socket. Pry the window switch panel out at the rear of the panel and lift it out. Unplug the switch. Remove the two bolts under the switch using a socket.

3. Lift the panel up slightly and pull away from the door enough to reach behind the door. Remove the door latch rod from the rear of the door handle. Flip the rod retainer up off the rod and the rod will pull out of the handle. Move the panel to the side.

4. Peel the moisture shield off carefully, so you don't damage it, and lay it aside. Pry out the two black plastic round concealment plugs on the back latch side of the door. They are at the top, level with the outside door handle. Remove the two door handle bolts beneath the plugs using a socket.

5. Remove the forward door handle bolt through the opening in the door using a socket. Pull the door handle out of the door slowly and carefully, giving it a slight twist clockwise to release it from the inside door latch rod.

6. Remove the window guide channel bolt located straight down from the manual door lock button, using a socket, and pull the guide out of the door. Push the plastic electrical harness clip located at the bottom of the door out with a screwdriver to release the harness.

7. Push out the inside door handle cable support clip using a screwdriver. Pull the upright manual door lock rod out of its plastic retainer. Remove the three No. 27 Torx bolts securing the door latch to the door. Lower the door latch mechanism from inside the door, complete with door lock rod, door latch rod and harness, and work it out of the door.

8. Unplug the door lock mechanism. Look closely at the black lock mechanism on the front of the door latch. Notice it is held on by plastic snaps and has its actuating rod on the inside edge, inserted into the upright door lock rod arm. This is the way you must reinstall it. Pry the door lock mechanism off the door latch by releasing the snaps with the screwdriver.

9. Install the new door lock the same way you removed the old one. Make sure the rod is in place in the upright lever. Plug in the electrical connector. Install the mechanism back into the door, guiding the upright door lock rod through the upper hole in the door. Hold it in place and align the rear holes. Insert the three No. 27 Torx bolts and tighten them snugly.

10. Push the upright door lock rod into its retainer at the top. Push the electrical harness snap back into the door. Push the door latch cable retainer into the hole in the door to lock it in place. Install the window guide channel.

11. Install the outside door handle by twisting its actuating arm onto the inside door latch rod and inserting the door handle into the door. Install the two bolts in the backside of the door that hold the handle in and install the plastic plugs over the newly installed bolts.

12. Install the last bolt in the door handle from inside the door. Install the bolt at the bottom of the window channel. Install the moisture shield. Hold the inside door panel close to the door and hook the door latch cable into the back of the inside door handle arm. Flip the securing clip over the cable.

13. Hook the top of the door panel over the top sill plate and lower the panel. Install all the bolts you previously removed in the panel. Pull the window switch wiring up out of the hole in the door panel and connect the switch. Push the forward part of the switch into the opening and push down on the back to snap it in place.

14. Install the plastic cover behind the inside door handle and the large cover over the speaker by pushing them to snap them in. Install the screw in the cover behind the door handle and the two screws at the bottom of the door.