melemiller

All of a sudden, the driver's side door lock won't operate (lock or unlock) using either the key or the door lock switch on the inside door panel. All other doors and back hatch operate. Only way to lock driver's side door lock from outside is with key. A pain . . . any words of wisdom?

salimshah

Use the search. => Door lock actuator <=

Salim

LALexusOwn

Hi melemiller, I just bought a replacement and put it in, here are the links I used to do it.

first door removal.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...moval-diy.html

then if you don't want to use a lexus one, you can use a universal, here is the link for that.
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...opic=41219&hl=


I wish I took pictures, cause the removal and putting in the new one was tricky. On the lexus replacement there is a electrical fitting that I had to remove to get it in place, then snapped it back once the whole unit was almost in place. If you buy the part at Lexus, it is the entire lock mechanism, cause they don't see the actuator separately. It cost me $250. I'm going to pull the old actuator out, clean and test it so I can replace the next one that goes out. Driver side always goes out first.

code58

I'm pretty sure they are all different. I wouldn't waste my time with it. I replaced all 4 of them on my DIL's RX with donated Ford actuators. I pulled 3 of them out that were giving problems (most of the time) and split them apart at the seam and pulled the motor out and pulled it apart. The little tiny brushes wear completely out on these little Chinese made $1. motors and there is no fix for 'em. The little tiny brushes are just pushed through a slot in the brusholder and there would be no way to replace them even if you had new ones. I found a source online that would sell the motors for $1. each, only problem is you had to buy at least 1000 of 'em.

genijet

I have the same problem,can it be a fuse, its to expensive to replace parts,i will use the key to lock the drivers side. Carl

code58

There has been a LOT posted on this problem. The brushes in the little tiny Chinese made motor simply wear completely out and the actuator works no more. I replaced all 4 of them in my DIL's RX with donated Ford actuators (piggyback style) because I couldn't afford the almost $1300. they wanted for the 4 plus tax. My son and DIL were in the middle of a medical crisis and I was covering all the car costs. For someone mechanically inclined it's not bad to do the piggyback style and quite inexpensive. Less than $10. per door total.

upther

I did the piggyback repair with the generic actuator over a year ago and the lock is still working like a champ. Took me and a friend about an hour to do.

code58

I did all 4 with the Ford locks piggyback fashion in June '06 on my DIL's RX and they work flawlessly even now. Figured as long as I was doing 1 that had failed completely, 1 that was partially failed, 1 that failed now and then, and 1 that was not yet failing, was time to do all 4 and be able to forget about it. This was all before anyone else ever posted on the solution, so it was a whole lot harder for me. but I'm used to figuring out custom fabrication and solutions. Happy for all who have used the solution and have fuller wallets as a result.