Door lock problem

[Alex-avensis]

Hi ,

     the drivers door lock on my treasured 1997 Avensis  has stopped operating the central locking system. Sometimes the key even turns 360 degrees a few times. The safety lock / anti hijack switch on the drivers door works fine. Anyone had this issue before? Any help, advice would be great.  Thanks :)

[gazza1286]

Does the internal switch both lock AND unlock the driver's door lock? The actuators on the locks on some Toyotas can fail on one of these actions.  

[Alex-avensis]

Hi gazza, yes the internal switch does lock and unlock drivers door. So that means the actuator is ok?

[gazza1286]

That suggests that there may not be a mechanical issue or an electrical fault at the lock. 

The door loom may have failed. The signal from the remote module may run in parallel with the signal from the internal switch. That being the case replacing the loom will sort it. 

I would consider removing the door cards from both of the front doors and use a multimeter to isolate any problem. You'll need an extra pair of hands I suspect. 

[Alex-avensis]

Hi gazza, thanks for replying. The fob stopped working years ago, so I used to lock/ unlock with the key. But recently that`s also stopped working as far as the central locking goes. Are the door looms available second hand? I thought that maybe something had worn out on the drivers door lock mechanism itself.  

[gazza1286]

Ah... I think I now understand. I believe that your key is worn. I've had that turning 360 degrees before. Do you have a spare? Does that show the same symptoms?  If you don't have a spare  you'll need to get a replacement blade cut to code (not on a duplicator). If it's happening with all keys then the lock is worn. That being the case the barrels for the driver door and passenger door could be swapped over. However this will be fiddly as the mechanisms are likely to be 'handed' meaning you may have to partially dismantle. I can't say for certain whether this option is viable. But it has to cheaper than swapping locks and keys etc.

I think that the door loom fault should be disregarded as I presumed you were using a fob to lock/unlock.  

[Alex-avensis]

Thanks Gary, will try the spare key first, when I find it and report back :)

[Konrad C]

In relation to your other query regarding the alarm light and no remote, try swapping the dome fuse in the engine bay fuse box, even if it has not blown. Mk1 Avensis like my old one had this issue, and the fuse was intact, but the resistance was high due to the change of metal properties. I had a spare so swapped it and the central locking started working.

[Alex-avensis]

Thanks Konrad,

                        I will try a new dome fuse and hope it sorts the problem, I will report back afterwards :)

[Alex-avensis]

Hi Konrad, I looked on eBay for a dome fuse but couldn`t find one. Will I have to get one from the main dealers?

[Konrad C]

The type of fuse you need are mini blade fuse rated at 7.5A. Euro car parts sell them - http://www.eurocarparts.com/mini-blade-fuses

or Maplin - http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/75a-mini-blade-car-fuse-vj50e

or Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/fuses-electricals-fixings/halfords-mini-blade-fuses-7-5-amp-hfs195

I assume your dome light works when the doors are open? I have had trouble with that in the past, and replaced it with a secondhand on that looked the same but a different design internally.

 

 

 

[Alex-avensis]

Hi Konrad, by the dome light do you mean the one in the middle of the roof just behind the sunroof? If so that has not worked for years.

[Konrad C]

There are a few reasons why the centre centre dome light doesn't work. First the bulb has blown, the unit is faulty, the unit has a short that can blow the dome fuse - mine had this, the dome fuse has blown for another reason - check the door switches.

I replaced my dome light housing because it was not working and shorting the fuse.

The housing on the left is the replacement unit, the one on the right the old one. Notice the difference in design of the electrical components. 

I tried to repair the original housing but it did not work, so replaced.