I just went through the steps to replace the actuator motor (rather than the entire actuator assembly) on the passenger side rear door. Put it back in and can confirm the actuator motor now works! But when I closed the door to do a full test, I cannot open from the inside or outside.

I have a 5th generation - 2014 4runner. I was able to remove the entire inside panel, I just can't find anything that will manually move the latch an open the door. The one “lever” I could find, I tried pulling down on but still wouldn’t open the door.

Can anybody help me with what I should be looking for? Again, actuator motor works (I can hear it moving), but the door latch will not open from the inside or outside...I must have missed a step in the reassembly of the actuator. I have the entire inside panel exposed...just can't find what I need to manually move/pull/push to release the latch and open the door, so I can remove the three bolts in the side portion of the door, and get the assembly out to repair.

I also tried removing the panel from the other rear door but couldn't see anything to help identify where to unlatch the door manually.

Any help would be so appreciated!

Brandon

I wish I could help you more than this- I had the same issue in this post below about 4 years ago. If you have the plastic (fork) installed correctly, than the issue you are experiencing is with the child lock mechanism. All I remember is I had to pull up on a metal bar to open the door from inside, I took apart the opposite panel to troubleshoot it. I can't for the life of me remember how I got it to work correctly- it took some fiddling...


Sorry I can't tell you more...


ANTMAN'S Thread

Thanks for the reply! I might be able to get a tool to the child lock switch and flip it up or down. Do you recall if that had anything to do with your solution?

Thought a couple photos may help of the inside. Not the best photos but all I could muster with the location.

Attached Images

 

Did you confirm you placed that rod back in place after putting the actuator back in your door? The one that slides into the yellow piece circled in this pic:



I know I forgot the first time and I couldn’t open the door from the inside, don’t think it broke opening both inside and out though. Just guessing at what you may have missed.


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I did not confirm that, so it's very possible I missed it. I'll have to feel around in there again today because I don't remember feeling a latch like that. Is that the child safety lock mechanism? Maybe push it down, then I can get the door to unlatch..

Thanks for the photo!

Appreciate the feedback from everyone. I got a flashlight in there and was able to get some cleaner photos. I've been focusing on the child lock idea and i have a line of site to the child lock switch (since I've removed the door panel) but I'm not seeing the on/off lever...like on the other side. I'm guessing that may mean the child lock was not put back in place correctly. If that's the case, anybody have ideas on a way forward?

Thank you!

brandon

Attached Images

     

1 other thing to add -- this afternoon flipped the child lock switch to the upright position (turning it off)...still can't open the door but that issue is resolved.

not sure what else I could be missing to get the door to open at this point.

thanks
Brandon

Did you mix up the cable connections? Green/White?

I don’t think so. When I hit lock, I can hear the actuator locking and unlocking. Just can’t get the match to open to open the door.

I'm going to see if a locksmith may be able to open it from the outside. But am I correct in assuming, the only thing I should have to do (now that child lock is levered off) is push down on the rod on the outside edge of the actuator? That should release the door right? I've looked at diagrams and don't see where else I could possibly press or manually move to unlock it.

Assuming, it's not going to work via that lever...anybody have any other ideas? Hoping a locksmith can work magic.

Hi all,


I have the same problem. I took the rear passenger door panel off to put in lights and the heated seat switch. Now neither door handle works. All cables are connected and I can reach in and feel the mechanism moving, including the locking bar.

Any ideas??