I have had my 01 LS430 for over 5 years and today I tried closing the driver close and it wouldn't close(its the ultra model with power door closers). the wont shut at all and the open door indicator is staying on. i tried the other three doors and they worked. i called the dealership and they said they haven't heard anything like that. is there a quick fix for this or has this happened to anyone else?

 

Maybe there is something LODGED in the locking mechanism, or the hinges are loose on the doors itself.

Mike

 

Have the both of you tried spraying some wd-40 in the door latch?
See if that "claw hook" in the door is not too dried out or stuck.

Just a thought, we had that problem (not with the auto close of course ) in our old 82 buick

 

$1500 to see what's wrong with it......... talk about getting raped.

 

Get some Lambo doors for 1200 instead!

 

Sounds like $1500 is the cost of the repair. And if such a specific figure was given, than the dealer more than like knows what the problem is and has an idea what the cost will be. $1500 is way too expensive for that repair though. The door latch is most likely the cause of the problem. Sounds like the latch is siezed causing the door not to close. Try the wd40 and see what happens, but first check if something is jammed in it.

 

I know this is an old thread but I have the exact same issue with my passenger front door (430 UL, 2004)

any my ideas on what has failed? It went from fully and smoothly functional to zero latching. It acts as if you were holding the handle open and trying to close the door while holding it. Any tips appreciated before I tear it apart. Note: power locks still activating. Several years ago I did the power lock motor change per the instructions on this site. That repair worked great.

 

Get a screwdriver and play with the latch

 

yeah, tried that. Tapping, thumping wiggling all NG. Door is not sagging, perfect fit. (I work in the Camry plant. We build and fit the doors in my area. That's not the problem).

On the other doors when you gently push the latch you can feel a slight resistance at about mid travel. That it the first latch click. It's the point that triggers the power closer if you just close the door to the first click. The problem door has no resistance anywhere in its travel. It appears that something has simply broken in the latch. If no other ideas here I'll take it apart tomorrow and report back.

 

I just had the same problem. It's an easy fix, but not cheap. The part for my 05 cost $150+ shipping, it's the latch assembly. There is a detailed thread on this forum concerning the steps you take to repair. Essentially, you remove the door panel and then remove the regulator assembly. Unscrew the black plastic motor assembly from the latch assembly and replace the old latch with the new part. Reinstall in door, then reinstall the door panel. Takes a couple of hours if you're being careful. No special tools other than some cheap Harbor Freight door panel removers (plastic).

 

Thanks but that latch has been discontinued according to the vendor referenced in that other thread. The guy says Lexus no longer supply's it and none in stock that he could find. This is becoming a nightmare. My wife's car is sitting with bungee cords holding the door closed so the interior lights stay off and I don't get rain inside!

 

If you really can't find a new part anymore, you might have to check out the local scrapyards for a donor car and remove the latch assembly from the door. The cause is a broken plastic part on the latch assembly, so a straight up swap will alleviate the problem.

 

Where was $1500 ever mentioned?

 

Is the needed plastic part for the latch assembly unique, and available only on the auto / easy close doors (i.e. Custom and Ultra Luxury models), or is the plastic part available on all LS430 door latch assemblies?

 

Based on my ordering the part, I don't believe it is unique, seemed like a broad application if I recall correctly. The plastic part is integral to the latch, though; it doesn't seem like you can separate it from the latch assembly.