2005 RX330 Rear door problem
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
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From: MN
2005 RX330 Rear door problem
Hello,
I have an 05' RX330 and I have had problems with the automatic opening rear door closing by itself once it reaches (almost) fully open. A few weeks ago I was loading something in the back and it happened again so I (forcefully) pushed it back up. Wish I would have kept my "cool".... Now it doesn't work! Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a reset issue? Wondering if I may have ruined the pistons, or motor, and need to replace one or both. I know the pistons (for both) are around $500 for the pair... OUCH!
Thanks,
Mike
I have an 05' RX330 and I have had problems with the automatic opening rear door closing by itself once it reaches (almost) fully open. A few weeks ago I was loading something in the back and it happened again so I (forcefully) pushed it back up. Wish I would have kept my "cool".... Now it doesn't work! Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a reset issue? Wondering if I may have ruined the pistons, or motor, and need to replace one or both. I know the pistons (for both) are around $500 for the pair... OUCH!
Thanks,
Mike
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
You might try using some liquid silicone fluid and lubricate the struts on the hatch. It may be that the sensor is tripping due to too much force. I'd not use WD40 or anything that thin but I'd not use a paste either.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,254
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From: Western Australia (Australia)
Also might be a good idea to actually just manually lift the tail gate to full extension and then close the door firmly. I have the odd issue every so often where the automatic tail gate won't engage with the key or the door. For me it looks as though the door was not fully and although the locking mechanism engaged and there are no beeps or lights to say it is open, I suspect the switch requires a little bit of "manual override" and then works for a long time after that.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
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From: MN
Thanks for the responses everyone. I did lube the piston shafts with Mobil 28 (the best grease on earth), but that's not my problem. The pistons help move the weight of the heavy door. When there is too much stress on the motor, which does most of the work, it overloads and lets the door come down and shut itself. Lubrication is definitely the cure for that. The problem I'm having is with the actual motor (or associated gears or drives) which is near the hinge, above the headliner. I'm not sure yet if the motor needs replacing ($1,000+ from my local dealer) or a gear that drives the hinge arm needs replacing or resetting. After this happened, I opened the door manually, and exercised it a few times. It was working fine until 2 days ago... Now it wont open manually more then 6 inches! I'm a pretty mechanical guy, but with having to remove the headliner, deal with broken clips, dented foam and torn fabric, I may just suck it up and take it to the dealer... Again, OUCH! I'll post the outcome after I decide how to go about fixing this!
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: AL
I have an 08 with the same problem. I am actually at the dealer now getting the motor replaced. I had a feeling it was a pricy repair. Luckily its still under the CPO bumper to bumper warranty.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1
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From: DE
Update
Thanks for the responses everyone. I did lube the piston shafts with Mobil 28 (the best grease on earth), but that's not my problem. The pistons help move the weight of the heavy door. When there is too much stress on the motor, which does most of the work, it overloads and lets the door come down and shut itself. Lubrication is definitely the cure for that. The problem I'm having is with the actual motor (or associated gears or drives) which is near the hinge, above the headliner. I'm not sure yet if the motor needs replacing ($1,000+ from my local dealer) or a gear that drives the hinge arm needs replacing or resetting. After this happened, I opened the door manually, and exercised it a few times. It was working fine until 2 days ago... Now it wont open manually more then 6 inches! I'm a pretty mechanical guy, but with having to remove the headliner, deal with broken clips, dented foam and torn fabric, I may just suck it up and take it to the dealer... Again, OUCH! I'll post the outcome after I decide how to go about fixing this!
I think that this may also have happened to my RX330. How did you go about fixing? Cost? Thanks.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: North Carolina
I am having this exact same issue on my 05 when using the automatic open function. It opens fully, then beeps and begins to lower on its own. Might try some lubricant on the struts, but I fear it's an issue with the motor.
I can open the rear hatch manually without an issue, other than having to be a bit forceful with it. Don't want to cause further damage to anything.
what to do......
I can open the rear hatch manually without an issue, other than having to be a bit forceful with it. Don't want to cause further damage to anything.
what to do......
Hello,
I have an 05' RX330 and I have had problems with the automatic opening rear door closing by itself once it reaches (almost) fully open. A few weeks ago I was loading something in the back and it happened again so I (forcefully) pushed it back up. Wish I would have kept my "cool".... Now it doesn't work! Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a reset issue? Wondering if I may have ruined the pistons, or motor, and need to replace one or both. I know the pistons (for both) are around $500 for the pair... OUCH!
Thanks,
Mike
I have an 05' RX330 and I have had problems with the automatic opening rear door closing by itself once it reaches (almost) fully open. A few weeks ago I was loading something in the back and it happened again so I (forcefully) pushed it back up. Wish I would have kept my "cool".... Now it doesn't work! Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a reset issue? Wondering if I may have ruined the pistons, or motor, and need to replace one or both. I know the pistons (for both) are around $500 for the pair... OUCH!
Thanks,
Mike
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: on
I have a 2006. It does the same thing. Goes up to top, beeps four times and comes right down again. After pressing the open hatch button on the RC (or dash button) and going up and than right down it eventually goes up and stays there. I replaced the multi-plex computer 89222-0E020. It didn't make any differnece. Now I'm thinking it might be a sensor. Basically I'm stumped. It's a nice feature only wished it would work properly. Jamie
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
You can try cleaning the struts and applying some lubricant to see if that helps any. Would try a silicone spray