Update: I just wanted say, someone had posted (then they subsequently deleted it) on video 3/3 that this video was incomplete and people should not watch it. I understand what they mean. Video 3/3 in this series cuts short at 37 secs because my battery died while I was making these videos. I decided to post the videos anyway because I figured a) people would remember for the most part where everything had been and be able to put it back in place and b) I also figured the encouragement a regular person (as opposed to a mechanically proficient person) would get from watching this video–that they can make repairs on their own vehicles, too–was worth posting a less-than-perfect video. So, go ahead and read my not-so-brief description below–it’s worth the read for the encouragment.

**********Link to Original Tutorial I Watched to Learn How to Replace Actuator***********
Here is the original tutorial I watched to learn how to replace the actuator. Their video is better for tutorial purposes–my video is more of an encouragement to non-fix-it type ladies who are feeling intimidated about working on their vehicle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqbJtTmkYfM

*******My Original Description Below*********
Okay, I’m just a housewife and homeschool mom. I’ve never done any work on cars pretty much ever. Before I was married, I checked the cars fluids on my own and made sure everything stayed at the proper levels, but that was it. My husband and I recently purchased a used 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. It had a handful of problems but I knew if we tackled it ourselves, we could fix the van up pretty well without spending much more. The driver side window worked intermittently (a default in the switch) and that same switch would stick when pressed downward for the automatic lowering of the driver side window. The other two major problems were the lock actuators in the sliding doors didn’t work. Hence, you couldn’t automatically lock and unlock the doors with a button or key fob. You had to reach around. Normally it’s not a big deal, but with three kids in a busy parking lot and the fact that van sliding doors aren’t designed to be easily unlocked manually from the driver side or passenger side door, it was a real nuisance. So I put together some VERY choppy footage (my camera doesn’t have a pause option while recording), but I didn’t have a tripod to set the camera on, so there are some weird shots where I’m trying to hold the camera and put things together as if I had three hands.
Regardless, the point of this, as exasperating as the process was, is that, if you’re a single mom, a woman on her own, a widow, or a wife whose husband is away on deployment or some other kind of work trip, you can do this! If you have plenty of money, go ahead and spend it–pay the mechanic $65 to do the work for you. However, if you don’t have a lot of expendable money and it’s a fix that isn’t deep in the recesses of the engine, take a chance! Look up the parts, search for tutorials on how to fix the thing (that’s how I learned how to do this! My husband searched for a tutorial and I jumped at the opportunity to try it). Now, as you’ll see in the videos, I did seek out my husband’s help on occasions. He is as mechanically minded as me–which is not much at all! So, I’m at no advantage having my husband help me except I got a break. On my end though, I’m in the middle of a nasty cold and we’re moving so time is scant and pressing, so I was eager to get a break if I could since I was so exhausted and could hardly breathe. Regardless of everything, I enjoyed most of the process. I hope you enjoy yours as well and you don’t get discouraged when things don’t go as smoothly for you as they seemed in the tutorial. I know they didn’t go smoothly for me! But I saved at least $130 in labor and I know I saved a lot in parts by ordering them online for well below the manufacturer’s suggested retail.