Door Locks not working in heat
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Door Locks not working in heat
First time posting so I apologize if I am not in the correct spot.
I have a 2005 LS430 - original owner. For the past 2 summers my door locks would sporadically work when it was hot outside. The key fob won't lock/unlock the doors so I would have to use the manual key. When the AC would cool the car down, the locks and key fob worked just fine. Also, everything works in the early morning (car is cool).
I am now noticing the pax front door lock works less often - even when car is cooled down.
I've read a ton about replacing actuators - but would this be the issue if the locks work during cooler weather?
I am not mechanical so I have to pay for repairs. Any ideas on the cost of such repairs?
I have a 2005 LS430 - original owner. For the past 2 summers my door locks would sporadically work when it was hot outside. The key fob won't lock/unlock the doors so I would have to use the manual key. When the AC would cool the car down, the locks and key fob worked just fine. Also, everything works in the early morning (car is cool).
I am now noticing the pax front door lock works less often - even when car is cooled down.
I've read a ton about replacing actuators - but would this be the issue if the locks work during cooler weather?
I am not mechanical so I have to pay for repairs. Any ideas on the cost of such repairs?
#2
Lexus Champion
I was quoted $750+tax just for one by the Lexus dealer, my driver door. I've sorta learned to live with it, doesn't bother me much anymore.
I had thought about going to a collision center with the part to see if they'd do it cheaper. Maybe a stereo place also, just anyone who has experience taking doors apart.
I refuse to pay nearly a grand to the dealer just for a door lock.
I had thought about going to a collision center with the part to see if they'd do it cheaper. Maybe a stereo place also, just anyone who has experience taking doors apart.
I refuse to pay nearly a grand to the dealer just for a door lock.
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks. $750 per door is high!
Did your doors work in cooler weather? Why would the actuators only be bad when it's warmer outside? I would have thought a bad part wouldn't operate regardless of temp.
Anyone have insight?
Did your doors work in cooler weather? Why would the actuators only be bad when it's warmer outside? I would have thought a bad part wouldn't operate regardless of temp.
Anyone have insight?
#4
Moderator
The issue of locks not working in heat is a very common Toyota/Lexus problem, usually a symptom of the brushes going bad in the small electric motors that are inside the door lock actuators. Replacement electric motors can be sourced on ebay at other places for about $5-10 per motor. Replacing the motor involves taking out and then prying apart the actuator and replacing motor and then resealing/gluing - in some cases can be tricky, depends on the model.
I have also sporadically seen used or rebuilt actuators for various Toyota and Lexus models avail on ebay and other sites for $50-100 per actuator. That may be an easier solution if you can find the exact replacement. I personally have two $6 motors I bought on ebay that fit SC and LS actuators in my parts stash in case I ever have this issue on my car (and if seems like over time the question is when rather than if).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-tutorial.html
I have also sporadically seen used or rebuilt actuators for various Toyota and Lexus models avail on ebay and other sites for $50-100 per actuator. That may be an easier solution if you can find the exact replacement. I personally have two $6 motors I bought on ebay that fit SC and LS actuators in my parts stash in case I ever have this issue on my car (and if seems like over time the question is when rather than if).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-tutorial.html
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Since I am not mechanical, I need to get this done at repair shop.
Do they need to replace the actuator or just the motor. I want to at least sound like I know something as repair places usually see a woman and assume we know nothing about the car!
Do they need to replace the actuator or just the motor. I want to at least sound like I know something as repair places usually see a woman and assume we know nothing about the car!
#6
On ebay, rebuilt actuators are available through a company called Actuators Plus. Around $170 depending on the door. Soft close doors are higher. A friendly body shop should be able to do the job for a hour or two of labor.
You probably only need the motor, however, you have to disassemble the actuator to get to it. Then put the whole thing back together. It is unlikely a shop will do that. That said, buy the actuator and find a shop to do the work. New OEM actuators can be bought on Amazon for around $240.
You probably only need the motor, however, you have to disassemble the actuator to get to it. Then put the whole thing back together. It is unlikely a shop will do that. That said, buy the actuator and find a shop to do the work. New OEM actuators can be bought on Amazon for around $240.
Last edited by LS430Lexus; 05-24-18 at 04:22 AM.
#7
Moderator
Ask for your old actuators back after the work is done and sell them back to one of the places that rebuilds them or on ebay.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 05-23-18 at 08:45 PM.
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