mgalvez99

I just purchased a 2013 GX460. Well, today, the passenger front door's lock stopped working. It will not operate via the remote nor the door lock buttons on the driver side. I have to manually lock it before I get out. I want to pull it apart so I can see if the motor has gone bad. Is there any reference on how to pull the door panel off?

tecman

Here you go.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...r-upgrade.html

mgalvez99

Tecman, thanks so much! Anyone else have issues with the door lock motors stopping to operate?

tecman

Check these out.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...t-locking.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...r-failure.html

mbykow

Same thing happened to my 4Runner before I sold it. Dealer wanted $550 to fix it. Sold the car to Lexus instead

mgalvez99

Tecman, thanks for the pics to help me take the door apart. I am going on a trip to Moab tomorrow so I did not get a chance to take pictures, but I was able to fix the actuator. First, after you get the door panel off, the only thing holding it the actuator are 3 T30 screws that are where the door catch is. This is visible when you open the door to get in. To take the actuator apart, I used a screwdriver to lift the catches, then I slid a zip tie through each catch to hold it open. Needed maybe 10 zip ties. There is one silver screw in the middle that holds both sides together, its a Phillips. The motor clips in to its power and will just drop out. I tested the motor using some small gauge wire and a 9v battery. It was dead. I opened it up using a pair of channel locks. The commutator was dirty so I cleaned it with some fine sandpaper. I tapped the motor back together using the floor and a small hammer. You want to put the commutator into the brushes first, then slide the body back over it until the shaft comes out of the bushing on the front of the steel body. Put the plastic side down on the floor and tap next to the shaft, alternating sides so it goes on evenly. Just a few gentle taps and it came back together. Tested again and it functioned perfectly. Reassembled and the lock works perfectly. I think that as the brushes break in when new, it arcs and leaves a lot of carbon which builds up to make it lose a solid connection. Once again, thanks guy. It saved me some cash! Cost to repair was $0 and about 45 minutes. I think I could do it all again in about 15 minutes.