Passenger door won't lock!

[shiftyc3nt]

I just inherited a 99 Avalon XLS from my mom (she got an 06 Acura TL Type-S). I'm pretty stoked on it, but the problem is that neither the remote or the door control will lock the passenger door. I can hear the locking mechanism trying to lock the door, in fact I can see the lock "twitch", but it never actually locks. Any suggestions?

Also, since we're on the subject of keyless entry/locking, when I press the lock button on my remote, it locks, but then it keeps locking. Like I can hear the mechanism still clicking. It does that for 3 or 4 times and then stops. It is as if I'm pressing the lock button on the remote over and over (but I'm not). I don't know if it helps, but the lights on the Avalon don't flash when I press the lock button (they do when I unlock the car).

I'd really like to solve these problems by myself instead of taking it in for repairs, so any suggestions on how to fix, or what to check to fix this stuff would be great!

Thanks in advance.

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by shiftyc3nt

I just inherited a 99 Avalon XLS from my mom (she got an 06 Acura TL Type-S). I'm pretty stoked on it, but the problem is that neither the remote or the door control will lock the passenger door. I can hear the locking mechanism trying to lock the door, in fact I can see the lock "twitch", but it never actually locks. Any suggestions?

Also, since we're on the subject of keyless entry/locking, when I press the lock button on my remote, it locks, but then it keeps locking. Like I can hear the mechanism still clicking. It does that for 3 or 4 times and then stops. It is as if I'm pressing the lock button on the remote over and over (but I'm not). I don't know if it helps, but the lights on the Avalon don't flash when I press the lock button (they do when I unlock the car).

I'd really like to solve these problems by myself instead of taking it in for repairs, so any suggestions on how to fix, or what to check to fix this stuff would be great!

Thanks in advance.

Does it lock when you put the key in the door lock and turn it? If yes, your actuator has most likely failed. There are some excellent DIY instructions on a couple Lexus forums which will show you exactly what to do. You can do an aftermarket fix for $10 if you are handy or can replace the entire actuator assembly for about $275 plus labor.

[shiftyc3nt]

Originally Posted by artbuc

Does it lock when you put the key in the door lock and turn it? If yes, your actuator has most likely failed. There are some excellent DIY instructions on a couple Lexus forums which will show you exactly what to do. You can do an aftermarket fix for $10 if you are handy or can replace the entire actuator assembly for about $275 plus labor.

It doesn't lock even when the key is used. So I'm guessing it's more than the actuator?

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by shiftyc3nt

It doesn't lock even when the key is used. So I'm guessing it's more than the actuator?

Yes, that might be a good thing. Sounds like the linkage broke or somehow became disconnected. Should be a whole lot cheaper to fix than buying a new actuator assembly.

[ImDisaster]

Sounds like the actuator or some part of the lock mechanism is broken. Might just be bent or have an arm popped off. Did anyone you know try to jimmy that door? Perhaps someone even tried to break in, but they usually prefer the rock method. If someone tried to jimmy it they could have messed up the mechanism. The reason you hear the noise is the mechanism keeps trying to lock itself but is jammed.

I would take off the inner door panel and look for something visibly amiss.

[shiftyc3nt]

Just wanted to let those interested know that my problem was fixed. Not sure what was wrong, but I took my car in to get it tinted and when I got it back, the lock was working via the remote!

Thanks for the helpful suggestions!