Car having trouble unlocking. Is it an actuator problem?

155

Asked by Xavierg Jul 01, 2014 at 12:05 PM about the 1998 Lexus GS

Question type: General

Car doors won't unlock with the
remote but has no problem locking.
Also one day when I tried unlocking
from inside the car using the car
doors it would lock and then unlock
right away. Haven't had that problem
again though but read it may be a
sign that the actuator is going bad. I
also noticed when after I park and
turn off the engine, when all the
doors unlock the rear door on the
behind the drivers side makes a loud
sound when the doors unlock. I had
this problem for weeks now but
sometimes I won't have problems
unlocking with the key. Just recently
it has been getting worse and not
unlocking at all. Any ideas?

2 Answers

50

In my experience with my Lexus GS300, the auto lock issue started with some similar action of varies doors. Eventually one rear door finally would stay lock. My Toyota mechanic said actuator will flake out with some functions, such as just locking but not unlocking. Advised to replace actuator @ $280 each part per door or rebuild bad actuators at shop which refurbish alternators. FYI, same part is used across all Toyota / Lexus cars and different part for each door... So far no aftermarket sources, except left rear door.

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Best Answer Mark helpful
155

I was going to carry it to a shop to get it checked out. After I posted this question a month ago, the problem went away. Doors are locking and unlocking just fine. I still think I will carry it in but for about a month now I haven't had that problem.

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