Toyota Corolla Door Lock Failure - Diagnose Guide
If you are having issues with a door lock on your Toyota Corolla, it will be necessary to either visit your local dealership or take some time to troubleshoot the issue. Here is a handy guide to help diagnose the problem.
Four Doors/Multiple Doors Fail To Lock/Unlock
If all four doors fail to lock/unlock or if multiple doors fail to lock/unlock, the odds are that you have an electrical issue like a bad relay. The best thing to do in this case is to bring it in for service. Correctly diagnosing an electrical issue can be a nightmare.
One Door Doesn’t Lock/Unlock
If you have a single door that doesn’t lock or unlock, it is likely you have a bad actuator motor. The actuator motor powers the door locks and makes them open/close. For many owners, replacing the door actuator is actually a fairly easy process. Steps include:
- Order a replacement part online here.
- Remove the door panel by removing a screw in the armrest and in front of the door handle.
- While removing the door panel, unhook the electronic connection to the power door lock mechanism on the door panel.
- Peel back the shroud covering the interior components.
- Locate the door actuator and removing it.
- Replace the unit and replacing the door panel using the reverse instructions.
Remote Lock/Unlock Fails, But Button On Door Works
If your key fob isn’t unlocking the doors, odds are a new battery will do the trick.
If the unlock/lock button on your remote isn’t working and the other buttons on the remote are, it could be a sign of a larger electrical issue.
Power door locks that operate like they were intended are often taken for granted until something happens. When they are broken, it can be a major inconvenience. Fortunately, diagnosing and fixing the problem isn’t too bad.