99 Camry Power Door Lock problem

[canadianlabor]

Hi there, I have a 99 Camry CE (2.2L 4 Cylinder). It started to have power door lock problem a few weeks ago. The problem is on driver side only (The other side is working well).
On driver side:
1) I can easily use the button (on armrest) to Lock & Unlock all doors.
2) I can also use my key to lock all doors easily
3) But it is very hard to unlock doors by using car key.(Sometime, it is working if I am lucky but I can feel strong resistance)
4) It is also very hard to manually unlock the driver door inside the car.(I can feel strong resistance as well)

Any one can shed some light on this problem?
Any comments/suggestion are welcome!
Thanks in advance!

[canadianlabor]

Hi there, I found & fixed the problem last week.

The problem is on Power door lock actuator.
Though the actuator is working by turning power door switch (switch on arm rest), but it got mechanic issue inside.

The key thing I learned from this fix is that regardless the (Front & driver side) actuator is in lock or unlock position, the small bar (which provides the power to lock/unlock your door) should be able to be freely turned (Up & down).
This special design will allow you manually lock & unlock your driver side door without power/battery.

The only problem I had is that the small bar ( Sorry! I do not know how to call it, it is just the small stick out side of actuator) was stuck when the actuator was in lock position.

Anyway, the actuator can be found in Toyota dealer by paying $230 + tax. Ridiculous!!!
From ebay, you probably be able to get it for $30~40 bucks (after market).
I went to a auto junk yard and found one by paying $17.

It is working now and I am pretty happy with the results.

After I fixed the door, I opened the bad actuator.
The interesting thing is that the actuator is wet and very very very dirty! So much dust! It was really a surprise to me!
From outside, the actuator looks clean and great! I also tested, it is indeed working when you apply power to the motor.
I was shocked that the small Japanese motor is still functionable in such a bad condition.

I may post a few pictures later on when I have a chance.
Should you have any questions about 99 Camry power door lock, I will be happy to answer. Cheers!

[areg]

Originally Posted by canadianlabor

Hi there, I found & fixed the problem last week.

The problem is on Power door lock actuator.
Though the actuator is working by turning power door switch (switch on arm rest), but it got mechanic issue inside.

The key thing I learned from this fix is that regardless the (Front & driver side) actuator is in lock or unlock position, the small bar (which provides the power to lock/unlock your door) should be able to be freely turned (Up & down).
This special design will allow you manually lock & unlock your driver side door without power/battery.

The only problem I had is that the small bar ( Sorry! I do not know how to call it, it is just the small stick out side of actuator) was stuck when the actuator was in lock position.

Anyway, the actuator can be found in Toyota dealer by paying $230 + tax. Ridiculous!!!
From ebay, you probably be able to get it for $30~40 bucks (after market).
I went to a auto junk yard and found one by paying $17.

It is working now and I am pretty happy with the results.

After I fixed the door, I opened the bad actuator.
The interesting thing is that the actuator is wet and very very very dirty! So much dust! It was really a surprise to me!
From outside, the actuator looks clean and great! I also tested, it is indeed working when you apply power to the motor.
I was shocked that the small Japanese motor is still functionable in such a bad condition.

I may post a few pictures later on when I have a chance.
Should you have any questions about 99 Camry power door lock, I will be happy to answer. Cheers!

Hello, I have also problem with driver door. The power lock (armrest button, sorry I am not native speaker) doesn't work on for driver door, other door are OK, also key opens with some difficulty the lock of front door(also I guess for the passenger door and trunk). I have no keyless system. If you have pictures can you share?
Can you suggest which place to look for problem? I am beginner and never unmounted door.

Thank you in advance!