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Can't lock doors with Remote

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by pioneer Steve, Mar 28, 2015.

  1. pioneer Steve

    pioneer Steve Junior Member

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    2002 Prius
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    I
    Hi Members,
    I have a 2002 (First Generation) and can not lock the doors with the remote. It will unlock with the remote (lights flash) but will not lock. I have checked ALL the doors and they are closed, not ajar. Assoc. battery is at 12.77 volts. I have tried another remote, same one that came with the car and that one will not unlock it either. Remote batteries are OK. Please HELP!! Thanks, Steve
    PS When I try to unlock the car with the Remote, the lights don't flash and it tries to lock but then it unlocks--just like a door ajar????
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I assume you mean when you try to lock ... it goes through the locking motions and then a couple seconds later unlocks again.

    That's what it does if it can't detect one of the doors going fully to locked ... usually because the lock motor on that door is worn out. If any door did not fully lock, the car unlocks again to make sure you don't walk away thinking it successfully locked.

    Because the driver's door lock motor is the one that gets used most over the car's life, it is almost certainly the one that's shot. If you stand outside the passenger side of the car and watch through the window while you try to lock with the remote, you'll probably see the driver's lock button move only part way or even not at all. There's your shot lock motor for you.

    Assuming you do confirm it's the lock motor on the driver's door, you've got some options:
    1. Get the right part and replace it. Least fuss, all fixed, but the part's about $100.
    2. Look on eBay for knockoffs of the same part. Strangely, you don't find many if you search for Prius, but the same part number is used in some Lexus GS300, GS400, and GS430 cars and if you search eBay for "left front lock actuator gs300 gs400 gs430" you'll find options for about $16. I just received one today and it does fit and basically work, but has a couple issues I still have to write up.
    3. In many threads on PriusChat you'll see people buying just the electric motor inside the actuator (apparently it's about $7), carefully prying/cutting/dremeling open the sealed plastic actuator case, replacing the motor, somehow fixing the case back together and reassembling. That's the least money and the most fussing around.
    -Chap
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I finihed writing up what I found about the $16 eBay actuator I bought. You can see the write-up here.

    -Chap
     
  4. rokibler

    rokibler Member

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    Chap, I had this exact problem on my 2010 (Gen 3) Prius on the driver's door. The part for the Gen 3 is $230 (69040-47060). I replaced it today, and the door will lock from the fob, the exterior door handle, and the lock button on the interior door panel. I have 71,000 miles, and about 5 1/2 years with the car.
     
  5. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    Easy to test. Roll down drivers window. From outside reach in and hit lock button on drivers armrest. Walk around car and check doors. Did all lock? Hit unlock, walk around, did all unlock? If everything works here, problem is with wireless remote system.

    If doors did not lock or unlock "manually" dong steps above there is something wrong with 1 or more door actuators.
     
  6. Carleton Hoffman

    Carleton Hoffman New Member

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    of course with this car the engine has to be running in order to roll down the window!
     
  7. Trombone

    Trombone Member

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    Um, that's not true. With key in "accessory" position the windows are operable, even if car is not in "Ready" mode. I do know about the "open window with key" feature, but I've not tried on my '02.