door locks not working when hot

[jasonp99]

I searched the forums some but didn't see this one. I live in Texas and when it's hot here (large part of the year!) and my '99 SR5 4Runner is parked in the sun for more than an hour or so the door locks will either be very sluggish or not work at all. If they don't work I have to use the key to unlock the door, which of course sets off the alarm. Then if I want to lock the doors I have to push the door lock switches down manually, and use the key to lock the hatch. What a pain! No difference in behavior using the fob or the master lock/unlock button.

Fortunately I have a garage to park in at work so sitting in the shade keeps the truck cool enough so the locks work fine. This time of year when it's cool the locks work fine too, even sitting in the sun.

Anybody else have this behavior? Is it the lock motors or maybe the board controlling them not generating enough voltage?

 

[IBallEngineer]

Here is a little write up about just such a problem. Yes the actuator motors are the problem.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/202720-door-lock-motor-replacement.html

:hatsoff:

 

[jasonp99]

Thanks! Odd that post didn't show up in my search, oh well, glad I can now see the process for fixing it. Those motors are still available on eBay. Do they still work fine now after you've done the repair? What about putting that vapor barrier back on, did you have to apply new tape? Too bad the motors are really buried in there, could be an all-day project for someone not mechanically skilled like me!