OceanView

My 98 ES300 is acting weird today. For some reason, the driver's side door will not open from the outside. If I use the remote, the door unlocks but when I pull on the handle from the outside, it won't open. It will open from the inside.
Also, the window makes a grinding sound that never was there when I move it up or down.
There is also a strange gremlin with the lights not turning off unless I manually turn off the lights.

Anyone have any ideas?

justfixit

Probably the door latch linkage clip has broken. When this breaks it allows the likage rod to move into the path of the window glass when it goes up or down. Be careful when letting window down as it can really jam up the glass and possibly break linkage rod. Simple fix is to replace clip.

onepointon

theres something going on with your door lock actuator/what attaches it to the handle. pull off the door panel and look inside. there is a small metal rod that connectors the door lock actuator to the door handle. that has either bent/come off/ ect. its problem come out of its clip and is just flopping around. thats also probably what is hitting your window while it is going up/down.

OceanView

Thanks guys, I was kind of thinking along those lines.
I will have to open it up in the morning as it's too late to get started on it this evening.

I wonder if the light problem is related or not.
Just seems odd that I have both of these problems happening at the same time when I never had any problems like this since new.
I've had her for 10 years now and she has 241K miles on her.
Always dependable (not like my Mercedes).
Hoping to get another 60K or so out of her.

BadViper22

And with your lights.. If you are talking about your headlights not turning off when you turn off the car, check the door jamb sensor and see if the orange light on the dash comes on when you open your doors. This sensor over time can break, since it takes so much abuse from the doors. If it were broken your car would think that you never got out of the car and thus not turn off the lights.

OceanView

Is this sensor located in the door as well?
If so, I bet it may have something to do with the other problem I am having like something broke off and it is now affecting the other.

BadViper22

Nope, its located on the B-pillar, halfway between the top of the door and the bottom of the door. And you can push it with your finger. Check your driver side sensor.

OceanView

Well, I removed the door panel but now I am stuck.
There is a plastic shield (I think to prevent thieves from using a slim jim) around the area that I need to get to. Please take a look at the photo



Does anyone know how to get behind this area?

Rollin'ES3

I think you have to move that plastic cover to the side and put your arm through the opening near the middle of the door and reach up there.

OceanView

DOH! I feel stupid.

I pealed the plastic back and there is a metal plate with screws on it.
Remove them and got access to the area.
The rod that connects the outside door handle has a broken plastic clip.

Local Toyota dealer has the piece for $2.50.
Going to get it now.

Thanks

charley240

iTrader: (6)

yeap, there ya go.

btw, install the plastic piece on the rod, then insert it altogether into the hole. i tried the other way first, and the rod seriously would not go in.

charley

Limen

pretty nice write up, I have the same problem with my door right now too. Only its my passanger side door that wont open from the outside. I'll have to do this to fix it, seems easy enough. Thanks!

OceanView

I tried your way and it would not go in for me.
I ended up installing the plastic piece into the door handle first and then pushed the rod into it.

OceanView

Thanks,

When you remove the door, there is a screw under the window control panel.
Carefully remove this panel from the top as there is a fragile plastic piece on the bottom that can easily break.
Underneath there is a screw that must be removed to remove the panel.

charley240

iTrader: (6)

oops, then i had it backwards. did it awhile ago, but its one way or the other. sorry. just couldnt remember for sure.

charley