LS 430 Door Lock Actuator Tutorial
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: AR
I replaced passenger side today with motor that already had correct flat shaft. It was a huge pain getting the actuator back in, and it quit working after 5-6 tests because I'm an idiot and skipped the zip ties part... Second try was very quick though, you become a pro after finally figuring out how to manipulate the window rail and actuator; pretty sure I could do one now in 30min. Btw, I drilled some holes in the actuator frame to better thread zip ties. It won't affect anything, and helped secure it back together better. Don't have pictures, but if you've replaced motor you'll see places where this can be accomplished without compromising structural integrity of the unit.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 458
Likes: 7
From: KY
boo hooI just messed up my passenger door lock. I had a passenger getting in and I happened to hit the door lock at the same time while the passenger pulled the handle to get in. All the other doors work fine but now my passenger door lock barely moves and not enough to actually lock or unlock the door automatically. I have to manually lock or unlock that door now. What did I do? Is it an easy fix? Please help me. Thank u.
boo hooI just messed up my passenger door lock. I had a passenger getting in and I happened to hit the door lock at the same time while the passenger pulled the handle to get in. All the other doors work fine but now my passenger door lock barely moves and not enough to actually lock or unlock the door automatically. I have to manually lock or unlock that door now. What did I do? Is it an easy fix? Please help me. Thank u.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 12
From: ga
I replaced the lock actuator motor in my 04 LS430 for my front passenger door yesterday using this thread. Getting everything out of the door was easy. Getting to the motor was a little more difficult because I have the EZ door closer which required a little more disassembling. Tip to opening up the motor housing - use a razor and a small hammer to get yourself started and proceed with a small flat head to pry slowly. The hardest part of this whole process was getting the whole unit back into the door. My only advise for that is, be aggressive with the window rail. If you don't move that thing out of the way, you won't ever get the lock actuator back into place. All in all, I'm glad I fixed my problem for about $10 instead of $900.
Hope you still have the 2004 Lexus LS430. My 2004 Lexus LS430 with easy door lock actuator on driver side front motor not running any more. I already order the Mabuchi with part number like other peoples here post on but seem like the Mabuchi motor smaller than the one in my car. Do you remember where you order the motor or the part number of the motor you bought for fixed your car? I know was 3 years ago really hard for you to trace back the history but that will be a great help for the newbie like me.
Thanks in advance.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 12
From: ga
Because you are newest person replaced actuator motor and your car exact the same year and model with my car, Can you please let me know where you order the motor and/ or part number of the motor if you still have. My 04LS430UL driver side lock actuator not running anymore and I order Mabuchi motor with D shaft but the motor in actuator on my car bigger side with round shape body.
Please help me.
Thanks,
ngaybuon55
My car has the short d shift motor. Did you remove the motor and take off the plastic gear? If for some reason your shaft is different go on Amazon or eBay. They have the same motors with different shafts.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; Jul 29, 2014 at 08:15 PM.
Those with auto close option. When you remove the actuator and auto close motor which are attached together. You must remove a couple plastic covers to gain access to the bolts that hold the actuator cover in place. You do not need to mess with where the electrical connections are glued in. Once you remove the bolts on the actuator cover you can pry it open half way and expose the motor for a swap very easily.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 12
From: ga
Lavrishevo
Thanks for the instruction. Inside the door lock actuator have two motors. After I replace the smaller one like the one you post the link the door lock working again.
Thanks again,
Thanks for the instruction. Inside the door lock actuator have two motors. After I replace the smaller one like the one you post the link the door lock working again.
Thanks again,
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 3
From: MI
Picked up my replacement lock actuator module for $181 off Amazon (it was literally the last one I could even locate). I'd have tried the $10 motor fix, but I just didn't look forward to dismantling the module. The more time I can save, the better.
Going to get this thing installed this weekend.
Going to get this thing installed this weekend.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 3
From: MI
True. But the moment I read in the original post, "When I opened up the assembly I found that...my cooper contacts were broken. Since the contacts were broken I elected to replace the entire assembly.", I ruled out the 'simple fix'. If that can happen to one LS owner, it can happen to me. And I wouldn't know it until prying the thing apart to look.
I like to do things once and be done. So I didn't want to get the whole door pulled apart before finding out it's worse than I first assumed.
There was a time when I'd have gone the whole 9-yards. Not just to save a buck, but because I had all the free time in the world to mess around with stuff. Not anymore. I've got a lot more responsibilities now. The older you get, the more you realize that time is the second most precious asset you have (next to health).
I'm fine spending the $181 against the $800+ I would have coughed up to the stealership to do it.
Last edited by SuperCoupe400; Aug 9, 2014 at 04:17 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: tx
My electic door lock quit working. Since there wasn't a good tutorial on do-it-yourself replacement of the motor I wrote one up. The cost to fix this problem is about $5. The dealer probably charges >$700 for the service. The lock actuator uses a $5 dollar Mabuchi motor (you can find the part number elsewhere.) On my 2001 LS430 the motor requires a "D" shaped shaft to fit the gear. A round shaft will not work unless you want to drill your gear and epoxy it onto the new motor. No special tools are required.
I posted the tutorial at:
http://www.shastaanesthesia.com/Lexu.../actuator.html
The time to accomplish is about 90 minutes. Return on your time =($700-$5)/1.5 hour=$463.33/hour
I posted the tutorial at:
http://www.shastaanesthesia.com/Lexu.../actuator.html
The time to accomplish is about 90 minutes. Return on your time =($700-$5)/1.5 hour=$463.33/hour
Thx mark
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
So I have been having issues with my passenger door not responding when I either open or close the door with the remote or with the lock/unlock button. Yesterday it started working and its still working today. Strange.
Is this a sign that my motor may be going out?
Is this a sign that my motor may be going out?