My Power Door Locks are Possessed - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

deddy · 06-19-2009, 01:23 PM

'94 Camry LE sedan

I have some unexplained behavior in my power door locks. They all work as expected when using the key to lock or unlock the doors or when using the button on either front door.

The issue is this:

I can be sitting in the driver's seat, stopped at the curb with the engine running and the automatic transmission in drive. I unlock all the doors with the button to allow a passenger to enter the car. Passenger opens their door, gets in, closes the door, then......

... immediately, automagically, the power door locks (all 4) will engage and the doors are locked, then immediately, and automagically, the locks (all 4) will UNLOCK!

This experience seems to be alot like the 'feature' where you are prevented from locking the doors when you are standing at the driver's open door, and you press the lock button while the keys are in the ignition.

So maybe there is some sensor that is not detecting that I am sitting in the seat?

Any ideas?

thanks
Doug

ctbear · 08-19-2009, 07:05 PM

I've had the same problem 5 years or so ago...the door locks will go nuts on me and lock/unlock/lock/unlock. It has happened to me while driving on the freeway. I think it was a problem due to the alarm system in the car...so we had the alarm system removed and now everything's fine.

the_professional · 08-19-2009, 07:25 PM

Your in the right direction, I'm not sure what it's called but, there is no sensor in the seat. I'm pretty sure it runs solely on the door sensors, and the doors wont lock unless, the door sensor senses the door is closed.

djb2 · 08-20-2009, 10:21 AM

The GF's Camry had similar (not exactly the same) behavior. The first thing I found when investigating was an aftermarket alarm system with the wires to the alarm horn cut.

Once the alarm control box was removed the locks worked as expected.

deddy · 08-20-2009, 12:06 PM

I know the history of this car and I'm sure it has never had an alarm installed.

But, I will do an inspection of the 'door closed' switch.

Good ideas.... keep them coming.

Doug

Freshcort · 08-20-2009, 02:30 PM

I have had similar problems with my door locks, and currently there is a mystery electrical drain on my car (1995 Camry LE) My mechanic thinks its the alarm system, but he doesnt know where the alarm brain is mounted.
My question for those in this thread that removed their alarms, where was your alarm control module physically located in the car?
I formerly thought that my car had a factory alarm system, because the red flashing warning light was mounted in such a legit spot (near the parking brake handle), but my mechanic says no way, it has to be aftermarket. Either way, neither of us knows where to start looking for something to disconnect. any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

#2! · 08-20-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freshcort

My question for those in this thread that removed their alarms, where was your alarm control module physically located in the car?

Normally the quick installers will put them up under the dash zip tied onto a bunch of wires. But where your status LED where it is I would guess they put it in the inside rear console box where the parking brake lever is at. Iv always wondered how much room was in there to put components. You could always pull out the LED and follow the wires right to the alarm brain.

Freshcort · 08-20-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #2!

You could always pull out the LED and follow the wires right to the alarm brain.

this is a great idea, thank you!
Does everyone agree that I do not have a factory alarm system? If so, where would the red flasher be mounted from the factory?

#2! · 08-20-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deddy

I know the history of this car and I'm sure it has never had an alarm installed.

But, I will do an inspection of the 'door closed' switch.

Good ideas.... keep them coming.

Doug

I had problems with my door trigger switches with the dome light only coming on half the time. Pulled apart the driver side and it was gummed up with crap and rust. I cleaned off any medal contacts the best I could put it back together. I then noticed the dome light was brighter when I opened the driver door than the passenger. So I ended up cleaning the rest of them out. But anyway they are plastic and if they happen to break they would most likely make a ground contact thinking the door is open.

JvR · 08-23-2009, 02:36 PM

I have exactly the same "problem".

When i stop to let my girlfriend in, and she opens the door...i hear all locks switch 1 time...yes it sound like a "feature"??

Freshcort · 08-25-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freshcort

this is a great idea, thank you!
Does everyone agree that I do not have a factory alarm system? If so, where would the red flasher be mounted from the factory?

Factory alarm update:
my mechanic found the alarm brain under the seat, and it says toyota on it, so it looks like a dealer-installed item. He tried simply unplugging it, and the car wont start (of course), and he doesnt even know where to begin to try following all the wires to their respective destinations. Anyone have any insight into this problem? We are pretty sure this alarm is causing my significant electrical drain