marty99

I have a door which intermittently activates the dome light. As I replaced the actuator motor from a different door, I tried to determine where the door sensor is located. Would like to just repair the switch that tells the car if the door is open or closed. Mine works rarely, but sometimes, so the switch is most likely the culprit.

Attached are a couple of photos of the door lock mechanism.

Help is appreciated, as always.

hypervish

The door ajar sensor is located on the car itself. It's near the door jam. It's a small rubber piece/switch.

Look's similar to this:

marty99

Not on the RX. The door position switch is inside the door. I've read it's part of the lock and actuator. I'd really like to get this fixed.

Our SC430 and ES330 both had the switch on the door pillar and easy to reach.

hypervish

Interesting.

salimshah

It is in the door lock mechanism.

The switch conveys door lock open, door lock closed and door locked recently closed ... by thermister ... level of current changes after closing. All this is looked at by the angle of the latch.

Salim

marty99

How do I identify, then fix or replace the thermister in a 99 RX300?

Thanks again!

salimshah

There is some test that requires you to measure amount of current immediately after closure/lock and in specified amount of time the current should drop to some specified value. I can not even claim that the courtesy light is controlled by the thermister.

I dont know where the thermister is and or what is the spec or replacement part number.

All I can add here is that the closure detection is done by the lock actuator.

If you or some one else figures out please post.

Salvage yard would be your best bet. If the motor is bad you can replace that for cheap.


Salim

maxSteel

Is this it?

salimshah

Maxsteel:

Is it the same connector as the door lock or another connector?

Salim

maxSteel

I don't know, Salim. I've never actually seen it.

Attached a couple more pics. The Driver door ECU is by the window switches.

dakrause

The driver door sensor on my 1999 RX300 has not worked for years.
Yesterday I removed the light bulb on the lower part of driver door.
The driver door sensor now works.
Perhaps a short circuit in that silly little bulb was the culprit?
Very strange.

salimshah

Door open shut sensor is in the lock actuator. There is a motor to operate the lock and a sensor which is connected to the door catch mechanism.

Salim

dakrause

Yes, yes, I learned that on this forum since the replacement of the apparently faulty door sensor had been on my "to do" list for a while.
That's why I was so surprised that removing the bulb from the courtesy light got the door sensor working again.