Experiencing problems with your 2000 Ford Mustang Key Fob? It’s a common frustration for owners of this iconic car. Sometimes, the issue isn’t just the key fob itself, but related to the door locking mechanisms. Recently, I tackled a door lock actuator replacement on my Mustang, and it turned out to be quite the adventure, highlighting potential issues that could be linked back to key fob responsiveness.
Following a helpful video guide from 1A Auto, I embarked on replacing the passenger side door actuator. The video instructions proved accurate, confirming that the problem wasn’t a wiring or switch issue as initially suspected. The new actuator resolved the passenger door locking problem perfectly.
However, the real challenge emerged with the Torx screws (T25 size, for anyone tackling this in the future) securing the door latch and actuator. These screws were incredibly tight. My 4.1 amp power drill struggled immensely, even emitting smoke and overheating in the process of loosening them. After a solid ten minutes of effort, the passenger side screws finally yielded, making the rest of the replacement straightforward.
Unfortunately, the driver’s side presented an even greater obstacle. It took double the time to remove just two of the three screws. The third screw was completely unyielding. In my attempts, I ended up stripping the screw head – the drill bit just tore through the soft metal of the star-shaped head as I applied torque.
Now, the plan for tomorrow is to try a stripped screw removal bit. If that fails, drilling through the screw head might be the only option left. It’s baffling how Ford could tighten these actuators to such an extreme level!
Hopefully, this experience serves as a reminder that if you’re facing door lock issues, especially if they seem intermittent or related to your 2000 Ford Mustang key fob not consistently working, a failing actuator could be the culprit on one or even both doors. Thanks again to the community for the support and advice!
