Driver side door stuck locked

[edimeo]

I have a 98 Avalon. One day about a month ago the driver side door just wouldn't open. The remote, the inside switch, the manual button or the key would not work. Then few days later it just started working again. The same thing happened a few weeks later and again it magically fixed itself. A week ago it did the same thing but this time no luck in it magically working again.

When I try to unlock the door electronically I see that the manual button on the door only goes about halfway. I can push it to what should be the unlocked position but it won't stay. The key turns in the lock and the door handles pull but nothing happens. I thought about taking the door panel off but with the door stuck closed this doesn't look possible. Any ideas on what the problem is and how to fix? Thanks!

[toyomoho]

Check the wiring between the drivers door and frame, the wires run through a sleeve. They can become frayed or broken over time as the door is used.

[edimeo]

Thanks but first how do I get the door open?

[toyomoho]

Could be the linkage to the lock is broken as the joints have plastic clips that can break. Might take the car to an auto locksmith (call first), they may have fishing equipment that can go down between the window and door frame then grab the lever to open the lock. This problem has happened before to TN members.

Might try removing the armrest to see if you can access the door lock. The actual door lock is below the key slot (look at the opposite door).

For a diagram download the body section of the Camry service manual from the link below, the 2 cars are almost the same.

http://www.camrymanuals.com/

[shortrun]

Is it cold (below feezing) where you are.
Could be something is frozen. My 2000 rear door does this in the winter.

[Nunzie]

The left rear door on my 2001 did this this morning and it is <20F outside.

I'm going to take the panel off and try to spray some lithium grease on the sliding components.

I'll let you know what I find.

[Nunzie]

After the car sat int the sun (still 20F) for about an hour, the lock worked again.

I pulled the inner panel and smeared MP grease all over the moving links. Hopefully this clears the problem. I still don't know if it was iced over or just binded due to the cold.

[wonger]

driver side door lock actuator is bad would be my guess

[Nunzie]

The temp is down in the single digits this morning and both rear door will not open. If I force them open, the lock mech gets stuck in the open position and we are not able to close the door (not good with three children).

I tried to remove the lock mech but gave up after I could not figure out how to seperate the lock mech from the external door handle.

Does anyone have tips on removing this part?

[Nunzie]

To answer my on Q: the best way to get it out is to reach in and remove the two nuts that mount the door handle. Pull the door handle out and work on the clip from the outside. It's a lot easier that I thought!