mx5cartalk.com

Enquiring for a chap who has an 2001 NB with a malfunctioning passenger door lock actuator. A brand new unit from a local Mazda dealer costs more than $200 and a wrecker also wants just about as much. Found quite a few used and generic ones in the US on ebay ranging from $35 to just over $100 plus shipping. These are obviously for the RH passenger door in the US. Would a RH passenger unit from the US fit our LH passenger door?

Is it possible the end of the spring inside the door at the door lock end about mid height has broken?
This is very common on the NA & results in a malfunctioning door lock actuator.

I don't think it's the spring. We opened up the door panel yesterday when it wasn't working but the chap phoned me last night and said the actuator is working again. Could be a loose electrical connection somewhere. Anyway he still intend to buy a used unit just in case it's something else. Just wondering whether the U.S. unit will fit

Indeed, from the latest post it doesn't sound like the spring, as either a new spring would be required, or refitting the spring would be required if it was intact & had just come adrift.
Re original question, depends on whether the NB8B door lock actuator is symmetrical both sides, ie when after a replacement driver side NA outer door lock/handle, a passenger side one would have to be rotated 180 degrees to fit outwardly, which then meant inside wouldn't fit.
Btw, if a door lock actuator is purchased from the US it will need to be for a 2002 as they called their 2001 a MY 2002.