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Driver's door lock actuator

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by ChapmanF, Apr 1, 2014.

  1. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    My door lock actuator seems to have lost just enough torque that it can't quite lock the door when I use the fob, though it can still unlock the door when I use the fob. The car seems able to tell that the door hasn't completely locked: the way I noticed the problem was, as I was walking away from the car, I locked it with the fob, and about three seconds later it blinked the lights again and unlocked. Did that every time I tried to lock it. When I finally went back and looked in the window while doing it I could see that the lock never moves all the way to locked. If I physically use the key I can lock it with no problem, and it stays locked.

    Hmm, a door lock actuator ... these danged old cars ....

    -Chap
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Its probably pretty cold in your locale now. Maybe if you can remove the inner door panel and lubricate the lock mechanism, the actuator will still be able to perform for a while.
     
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    My 01 does the same thing Chap. I know I need to fix it but, I'm too lazy. lol. :)
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    No such luck - in the 50s yesterday. (Hmm, imagine me saying "no such luck" about a day in the 50s!)

    Still, I guess it wouldn't surprise me if a little lube helped.

    -Chap
     
  5. 3prongpaul

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

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    I've seen quite a few Gen1 actuators fail. The problem is always the small DC motor inside the actuator. I repair them by purchasing new motors on Ebay, removing the actuator assembly, carefully prying off the cover, remove motor, then pulling off the gear with a tiny gear puller then putting everything back together.
    The procedure is similar to this Highlander repair

    However, the Prius cover is glued on and requires a strong utility knife and careful cutting/prying to get it open. The Prius gear is also on real tight so a tiny gear puller helps a lot.
    The motors are under $7.00, Lexus New Mabuchi Door Lock Motor DIY Actuator Repair Toyota Honda Ford | eBay
    the gear puller around $13.00 search for "Walkera Gear Puller" on Ebay,
    Worst case it will cost you $20 and a couple hours of your time to repair.
     
    MariCat and momef like this.
  6. DaveGoodrich

    DaveGoodrich Member

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    Sounds like someone needs to go into the "rebuilt Prius door lock actuator business."

    My 2001's door locks are all now essentially manual locks. Just can't get myself motivated to pull all four door panels and do the procedure Paul talks about, although I'm sure its within my technical ability.
     
  7. 3prongpaul

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

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    They are not that hard to rebuild once you get them out of the car. Getting them out of the car is what takes time if you've never done it before.
     
  8. JennaBrown

    JennaBrown New Member

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    I know this is an old post but I'm looking to swap the motors on my two front doors. That eBay link is no longer working. Do you know the shaft this takes? Short, long, ribbed, etc? I don't want to rip my doors apart just to find out I bought the wrong motor. Thanks.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  9. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    2001 prius door lock actuator | eBay
     
  10. 3prongpaul

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

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    Gen 1 uses round shaft "short" just over 1 cm long.
     
  11. JennaBrown

    JennaBrown New Member

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    Perfect. Thank you!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.