Bi.polar door locks

[mtbtim]

I don't know if this would pertain to the problem you are experiencing but I had a weird door lock problem when I bought my 2000 4runner. When I test drove the truck, I noticed the door locks would actuate when I used the brakes. I asked the owner about it and he said his mechanic told him it was probably one of the door lock controllers going bad.

I knew an experienced mechanic and asked him if he had any clue why the door locks would pop when I would use the brakes. He had no clue. So know I'm starting to think this is going to be a complicated and expensive repair trying to diagnose the cause of this weird door lock problem.

Since I knew the problem was related to me using the brakes, I thought maybe there was a loose wire coming in contact with the brake pedal. I looked under the dash and saw a wiring bundle right up against the return spring for the brake pedal. I pulled the wire bundle away from the spring and noticed one wire had a 1mm section of bare metal exposed from it rubbing against the spring over time. I figured this must be the wire to the door locks and as the spring elongated and contracted against the section of wire, it would ground it out and cause the door locks to pop. I covered the section with a little electrical tape, pulled the wire bundle away from the spring with a couple zip ties and the problem was fixed.

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Replaced the motors in all 4 actuators this weekend and was able to program my key fob, finally! The motors were like 8 bucks a piece so I just replaced all 4, probably needed them anyways. One thing none of the threads I read on this mentioned is that once you pop open the actuator, and replace the motor, it will not snap back closed securely. I had to duck tape all of mine closed. Replaced the first motor, reinstalled, tested it and it came apart. If you think it clicks closed all the way, plug it in and test it before reinstallation.