2003 Driver side door lock not unlocking

[ajjaaron]

My 2003 4Runner driver side door is not unlocking from the inside when you pull the latch to open the door. It is getting jammed in the lock position and will not unlock when opening the door. I have to use the unlock toggle to unlock all the doors to unlock the driver side door.

Any ideas why this is happening?

 

[morphius909]

Possible the linkage between the door handle release and lock is fubared?

If you feel brave, take the door panel off and investigate. I think the toyotas have an easier trim piece removal procedure then some others. Our Honda is a pure pain to remove without destroying something.

 

[ajjaaron]

This is a really weird problem. I did take the door panel off and inspected the the door latch mechanism. The door handle was not broken or seemed like it was bad. I can pull on the door handle really hard and it will unlock the door but I mean really hard. I don't want to break the handle. I sprayed some lithium grease on all the parts with no change. The mechanism to the door lock has 2 wires going back the the lock. 1 for the handle, 1 for the lock/unlock.

Is there any electrically controlled parts in this door latch?

 

[morphius909]

That IS wierd.

I tried a Google Search, and it was inconclusive. Solenoid? Actuator?

Wish I could help.Does putting in a key from the outside yield the same result?

 

[drmorbius]

This is a really weird problem. I did take the door panel off and inspected the the door latch mechanism. The door handle was not broken or seemed like it was bad. I can pull on the door handle really hard and it will unlock the door but I mean really hard. I don't want to break the handle. I sprayed some lithium grease on all the parts with no change. The mechanism to the door lock has 2 wires going back the the lock. 1 for the handle, 1 for the lock/unlock.

Is there any electrically controlled parts in this door latch?

Those "wires" are actually cables. Inspect the green plastic piece on the cable that clips to the door handle. Mine was broken and I had the same problem you had. If it's broken replacing those cables is a real pain involving removal of the lock cylinder, the bottom window guide, and the latch mechanism. You might want to take it to Toyota. The cables go down into the door to a box with electronics in it which does the keyless entry. I did mine myself and learned a lot. The cables are $17.00 each if you buy them over the counter.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I had a similiar problem on my 04. Nothing would unlock the driver door except the key from the outside or physically pulling on the lock its self from the inside. I ended up taking it to the dealer after a few months and it was a $400 repair to have the door lock actuator replaced. Going to the dealer might not be cheap. My problem stemmed from one time I open the door with the handle from the inside at the exact time I put it in park and the door tried to unlock on its own. The lock jamed right in the middle and when I forced the lock unlocked it must have damaged the actuator because the keyless entry and power door lock/unlock did not work until I had it fixed.

 

[ajjaaron]

Wow $400. You have to love those dealers. It seems to me like it is the door lock actuator from all the posts. I wonder how much the part is. I know it would be a bit labor intensive but that sure beats taking it to the dealer.