1997-2000 BMW 5 Series Front Right Door Lock Actuator

Also known as

Door Latch Assembly

Power Lock Actuator

Door Lock Motor

Door Lock Mechanism

Door Latch Actuator

Central Locking Actuator

What this part does

The front passenger door lock actuator is a motorized electromechanical device housed within the vehicle's door cavity that physically secures and releases the door latch. It integrates a microswitch to communicate the door's open or closed status to the general module, allowing the central locking system to operate correctly. When the system sends a command, the internal motor drives a gearset to change the latch state. Typical failure symptoms include a door that bounces unlocked immediately after locking, a lack of response to the key fob on the passenger side, loud clicking or grinding noises from the door panel, or a complete mechanical binding that traps the door closed.

Fits these vehicles

Before you order

This specific actuator is designed exclusively for the Front Right (Passenger) door and cannot be installed on the driver side or either rear door due to differences in the latch geometry and cable routing. Before condemning the actuator, verify that the exterior door handle carrier mechanism is not fractured, as that is a common structural failure on this chassis that mimics a broken lock and prevents the door from opening from the outside.

Installation requires carefully peeling back the vapor barrier and loosening the rear window guide rail to create enough clearance to extract the latch assembly. The unit is entirely plug-and-play and does not require diagnostic coding to the vehicle's modules once installed. Ensure the Bowden cables are properly seated in their retaining clips prior to reassembling the door panel.