How do I remove door panels?

[ToddAndMargo]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Forester. The back seat, left side
door actuator does not respond to the automatic open
or close requests, but does open and close manually.

How do I remove the door panels so I can get at
the actuator?

Many thanks,
-T

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Forester. The back seat, left side
door actuator does not respond to the automatic open or close requests,
but does open and close manually.

How do I remove the door panels so I can get at
the actuator?

Many thanks,
-T

Look for screws, possibly visible from underneath or behind covers, like
in the door handle. Remove all screws you find and grasp the door panel
from the bottom. GENTLY pull to release the clips. You can get a tool from
AutoZone that will help and keep from breaking the clips. If there's any
resistance, look for more screws.

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1e/79/73/0900823d801e7973/repairInfoPages.htm

They're all similar...

 

[Uncle Ben]

Hi All,

    I have a 2006 Forester.  The back seat, left side
door actuator does not respond to the automatic open
or close requests, but does open and close manually.

    How do I remove the door panels so I can get at
the actuator?

Many thanks,
-T

.
Once you get the panel off, check out the switch. A dealer tried to
rip me off by replacing the motor and regulator, but I swapped out the
switch and proved him wrong. If you are lazy, you can find a used
switch at a junk yard online for a few bucks.

Ben

 

[Frank]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Forester. The back seat, left side
door actuator does not respond to the automatic open
or close requests, but does open and close manually.

How do I remove the door panels so I can get at
the actuator?

Many thanks,
-T

I'd root around here:

http://subaru-car.ru/left/doc/

You should be able to find details of door for '04 which should be same
as '06

 

[Mike Avery]

Once you get the panel off, check out the switch. A dealer tried to
rip me off by replacing the motor and regulator, but I swapped out the
switch and proved him wrong. If you are lazy, you can find a used
switch at a junk yard online for a few bucks.

Actually, the switches are pretty bad and the contacts gunk up. The
contacts should have been sealed, but aren't, so the contacts oxidise.

You can almost always restore them to life. Opening the switch and
spray the contacts with contact cleaner (available at electronics supply
houses and Radio Shack), put the switch back together, and then use it.
The switch will usually clean itself in about 5 to 10 uses.

Mike

 

[ToddAndMargo]

I'd root around here:

http://subaru-car.ru/left/doc/

You should be able to find details of door for '04 which should be same
as '06

Do you know of an English language version of the above link?

 

[ToddAndMargo]

Actually, the switches are pretty bad and the contacts gunk up. The
contacts should have been sealed, but aren't, so the contacts oxidise.

You can almost always restore them to life. Opening the switch and
spray the contacts with contact cleaner (available at electronics supply
houses and Radio Shack), put the switch back together, and then use it.
The switch will usually clean itself in about 5 to 10 uses.

Mike

Okay. I am confused. I thought their was only one part
that operated the door latch:

http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_partdetail.php?partid=8943

Is there three? motor, regulator, actuator? (Sounds
more like the windows controls.)

Maybe the actuator just needs a drop of machine oil?

Or, maybe the wiring is bad.

Have to figure out how to get into it first.

-T

 

[Frank]

Do you know of an English language version of the above link?

No but the manuals are in English. Open up different sections and look
for sections that may apply. I downloaded all and will try to email you
one I think applies.

 

[ToddAndMargo]

No but the manuals are in English. Open up different sections and look
for sections that may apply. I downloaded all and will try to email you
one I think applies.

Got it. Thank you!

 

[Mike Avery]

Okay. I am confused. I thought their was only one part
that operated the door latch:

Oops... sorry, I misread. Thought you were going after the window
switches.

Still..... I'd bet the switch, or switches, are similar and the most
likely point of failure. I would not put oil on the contacts, just
contact cleaner.

Mike