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Driver door locks with fob/smart lock but will not unlock

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Mark E, Apr 18, 2015.

  1. Mark E

    Mark E New Member

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    Hello everyone,

    I have a problem with my '08 driver's door lock that sounds a bit different than what I have read in other posts. Essentially, the doors will all lock just fine using FOB, door buttons, etc, and all doors except driver's door will unlock using smart key features, fob, etc. However, if I want to unlock the driver's door I have to insert and turn the key. It feels a little stiff but it might not be any different than before as I rarely used this feature before.

    There was a period of about a week where it would fail intermittently before it began to fail consistently.

    It just got warm out here in MD, not sure if that might have made a difference.

    I popped the rubber door plug out to lubricate it the lock mechanism with some silicone spray and also sprayed some in the lock itself, but it did not make a difference.

    I am trying to avoid an expensive repair, but I am not really up for a complex replacement of the actuator motor - and it seems like the motor must be working anyway if I can lock the doors. Maybe there is something else I can lube? I have not done anything in the latch area, just near where the key goes in.

    Any thoughts?

    Thanks all!

    Mark
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the key is always stiff. so your saying all doors lock automatically, and all unlock except driver door?
     
  3. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    I have the exact same situation with my 1998 Corolla. The lock solenoid needs to be replaced and the cause of the binding in the lock link corrected (or it will eat the new solenoid too.) In my case the thing just wore out. Considering the high number of miles on my Corolla, I just deal with the key. The car is almost to the point where a flat tire would total it.

    Bill the Engineer.
     
  4. Mark E

    Mark E New Member

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    Right.
     
  5. Mark E

    Mark E New Member

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    Thanks, given that I will probably have this car for another 5+ years, sounds like I will need to get this repair done.