Rep Power: 0

ok so thru reading and searching it seems that even if an aftermarket actuator works sometimes, the actuator could still be dead because every now and then the brushings touch each other (can someone explain?). Bought the car ('00 dx)used from dealership the other day and found some hanging wires hidden and found they lead to door lock actuators. They both make noise, they have never actually unlocked or locked the doors but usually the actuator arm moves in and out when it is not mounted or cover screwed on all the way. is there any other possibilities? if it helps, they are reverse polarity actuators.

 
Rep Power: 313

Its possible that you have bad actuators. The actuators move when they are not mounted because they have no load on them therefore not neading much to get them to move. If they make noise when they are installed (grinding noise) it can be 2 things:
1) Improper installation! If the actuator is mounted to where it can not fully extend or retract all the way then you will get a grinding noise. 2) You simply have bad actuators. The grinding noise comes from damaged internals that can cause by improper installation, water damage or cheap brands.