I've been having this problem where when I use power locks, my passenger door lock can't lock itself initially. It retries over and over again, flicking the lock from the locked, to a "half-locked" state. It will eventually lock, but this can take anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. Usually it is on the 1 minute side.

I removed the door paneling to investigate. I shot this video of the actuator and you can see the problem happen right away in the video (although the subsequent attempts worked fine).

The part looked easy enough to replace so I decided to unplug it while I ordered a replacement and just lock the door manually. This is where things get weird. When I unplugged it, the problem immediately started on the driver side!

What I thought might be a simple failing actuator seems like it may be a larger electrical issue. Any thoughts from anybody? As far as I know, neither of these actuators have been replaced.

97 Honda Accord EX 2-door 4-cylinder with 140k miles.

 

That is an aftermarket actuator set-up with spliced wiring that may or may not be wired properly. Can be the actuator or wiring.

 

How can you tell the wiring is spliced? I wish I had a better camera angle. It didn't look like there was any splicing. The other wires in the picture I would assume are the window actuator, and they look fishy. I did have that part replaced a few years ago. Are you sure you aren't getting that confused since they are so close to each other?

 

That is a universal door lock actuator, not the OEM door lock actuator that came with the car. Splice may not be the exact correct terminology; but, it looks like aftermarket electrical connectors were used to connect the universal actuator wires to the car's wires.

On the OEM passenger door lock actuator the wire colors were Yel/Red and Wht/Red. On the passenger door switch, the wire colors were Orn, Blk/Wht, and Blk.

 

This thread shows a picture of how the stock door lock actuator on a coupe looks attached to the latch (removed from the car).

https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...cycling-48713/

On your car, part of the door sheet metal was cut away and the universal door lock actuator installed with a metal bracket.

 

Thanks for your help! I think I will attempt to install a new actuator.