Door Lock/Unlock problem

[Majus]

96 Camry XLE.

Suddenly the driver's side rear passenger door doesn't respond to being locked or unlocked using the button on the driver's door. It also does not lock/unlock using the key from either front door lock. It works fine using the manual button inside. All other doors work fine.

I downloaded the PDF Parts list for Gen3 Camrys linked from a post on this site but it does not show any parts at all for the power door-locking system. I would like to find such a list because I want to double-check on what the dealer quoted for fixing the door lock ($380 parts plus labor, total over $550). They told me that on the older models the actuator isn't a stand-alone part so it is necessary to buy the latch and everything.

Given that they had the car in the service department for less than thirty minutes I am puzzled as to how they could say positively that it is a faulty actuator -- but hey, what do I know?

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated. $550 for a door lock repair seems to be a bit on the high side to me and is a lot of money.

[96paseo]

That price is normal for the repair. Part cost plus 1.5 hours labor(~$150). It doesn't take them long to test a door switch. Unfortunately, the actuator is one big assembly with the latch. Some of the newer Camry's ('04 and up) have already seen failures with the actuators. My co-workers 04 has already had two of them go bad @ ~$400 a pop to get fixed. 5 years old and two failures = I'd say DIY and save some money. Thats if you've got the time and tools. Doors aren't the easiest things to work on either.

[1996camry]

you search on this forum, and i know someone has similar problem like you. the problem is not hard to fix but you have to do some investigation on yourself to find out the problem. i know the cost is much lesser than the dealer quoted.

for your problem... the wire behind (black rubber) that connecting between hinge door is broken. the wire inside the black rubber is broken...when that happen you can't lock or unlock 4 doors.


you have to remove the driver door and trace the wire with an Ohms meter to tell which wire is bad.

search on this forum for DIY and someone has similar problem like you.

[Majus]

I had read most of the posts pertaining to my problem before I posted my request for help.

I agree there is more likely a broken wire rather than a bad actuator, but given the headaches involved with disconnecting or taking apart everything I've hesitated to try and fix it myself due to lack of time -- that plus the cold weather.

I am, however, going to look over the wiring diagrams more thoroughly and may yet decide to give it a try.

I still wish I had a parts list for that model which shows the power door-lock assembly that shows drawings and the part numbers.