Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Migalot on 14 April 2023, 16:05:43

Title: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 14 April 2023, 16:05:43
My driver's door actuator has been playing up for some time now. On first press, the other three actuators lock and then come up again as the driver's side one refuses to co-operate (it wobbles, but won't go down). On second press, however, they all lock.

Today, it decided not to play ball at all when I was out. Then, when I got home it finally wobbled and then locked.

Being an electrical ignoramus, I had thought that an actuator either works or it doesn't. This one appears just plain lazy! What could be causing this?

This isn't the first time I've had actuators play up (always seems to be the driver's door), but secondhand ones are becoming increasingly rare. I have an old one in my shed and was wondering if they can they be refurbished in any way? 

TIA
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 April 2023, 16:08:45
Could be a sign of the lock mechanism starting to seize.

On the weather strip along the bottom outside edge of the window, is there a split towards the rear of it about a 1/4" forward of the back edge of the window?
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 14 April 2023, 16:16:38
Could be a sign of the lock mechanism starting to seize.

On the weather strip along the bottom outside edge of the window, is there a split towards the rear of it about a 1/4" forward of the back edge of the window?

Thanks.  :y

I'll take a look for any sign of a split.

Regarding the lock mechanism, can it be lubricated with oil or grease to prevent seizure?
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 April 2023, 16:35:28
Yes, as a matter of urgency.  ;) Remove lock from door to inspect and lubricate thoroughly.

The split is a working theory as it allows water to run straight onto the top of the mechanism.
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 14 April 2023, 17:06:20
Yes, as a matter of urgency.  ;) Remove lock from door to inspect and lubricate thoroughly.

The split is a working theory as it allows water to run straight onto the top of the mechanism.

It could be, as I always park the car in the same direction and the camber of the road means it's lower on the driver's side (and is also not on the drier "sunny side").

May be worth getting a new strip, but I can't work out which one I need:

https://www.vauxhallsuperstore.co.uk/collections/weatherstrips (https://www.vauxhallsuperstore.co.uk/collections/weatherstrips)

Can't even find it in the parts group (might need to look harder!):

https://vauxhall.catalogs-parts.com/#{client:1;page:group;lang:en;category:car;catalog:v94}#detail= (https://vauxhall.catalogs-parts.com/#{client:1;page:group;lang:en;category:car;catalog:v94}#detail=)
 
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 April 2023, 17:45:15
It's none of any of those.

Simply, it is the rubber strip between the glass and the painted door skin. It's one piece and is 100% separate from any of the other rubber on the window frame.

If it is split at the rear edge where it meets the B post trim, then, remove it, clean it thoroughly and bond it back together from underneath... Bicycle tyre patch repair kit will contain a suitable adhesive and you may be able to bridge the split from underneath using an inner tube patch.  :-\
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 14 April 2023, 18:44:25
Ive had exactly the same problem for about a year. Hoping to sort it soonish when the weather is nicer.
Thought it might be a microswitch issue tbh. I even have spares in the shed.
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 14 April 2023, 18:59:34
Ive had exactly the same problem for about a year. Hoping to sort it soonish when the weather is nicer.
Thought it might be a microswitch issue tbh. I even have spares in the shed.

Good to hear, Albs. I was feeling alone with this issue!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 April 2023, 20:23:28
The motors fail by themselves, but as they age, any tightness in the mechanism can only make them fail sooner.

How easily the key turns the lock will give an indication of the state of the mechanism.
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: cam.in.head on 14 April 2023, 22:58:24
when you get it out to lube up have a check of the cam assembly on the release shaft. they are only pressed and penned and can work loose. a blob of weld now will save any issues later.
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: TheBoy on 15 April 2023, 10:02:13
No point lubing. That will do 3 parts of sod all, apart from attract shit. And the solenoids don't suffer water ingress.

Replace the solenoid switches (or entire solenoid if not confident following Kevin Wood's excellent guide).
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 15 April 2023, 12:59:56
No point lubing. That will do 3 parts of sod all, apart from attract shit. And the solenoids don't suffer water ingress.

Replace the solenoid switches (or entire solenoid if not confident following Kevin Wood's excellent guide).

Thanks TB. :y

I found Kevin's guide and it certainly looks good:

https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90642.msg1155589#msg1155589 (https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90642.msg1155589#msg1155589)

The downside is that I've never been that good with a soldering iron!
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 15 April 2023, 17:15:46
Iirc I have two or three switches in my shed, so can send you one if you want to polish up your soldering skills.
Im useless at it myself. Its a job for someone with three arms as far as Im concerned.
Had a friendly test engineer at work who did all my soldering, but he has recently retired.
Probably a good time to try and befriend another one. :)
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 15 April 2023, 18:37:21
Iirc I have two or three switches in my shed, so can send you one if you want to polish up your soldering skills.
Im useless at it myself. Its a job for someone with three arms as far as Im concerned.
Had a friendly test engineer at work who did all my soldering, but he has recently retired.
Probably a good time to try and befriend another one. :)

Thanks Albs. I had a roam around the interweb and found a new one for £30. I really don't trust my soldering skills!  ;D
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 15 April 2023, 21:43:57
Probably a wise decision.  :y ;D
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: TheBoy on 16 April 2023, 11:07:47
Well, fit the new one you are getting :y, then dismantle the old one and have a go at soldering it, and use as a spare.

They are a fairly common failure on Omegas, so always worth having a spare :y
Title: Re: "Lazy" actuator
Post by: Migalot on 16 April 2023, 13:51:34
Well, fit the new one you are getting :y, then dismantle the old one and have a go at soldering it, and use as a spare.

They are a fairly common failure on Omegas, so always worth having a spare :y

Yes. That sounds like a good plan!  :y