Fix for Tacoma door lock problem (door lock actuator motor)

I recently was having problems with my doors not locking with the key fob. It sounded like the doors were trying to lock, except for the driver door. I did a little research and learned that this is a fairly common problem with Tacos. I also learned that it can get pretty expensive to have Toyota fix the issue.

Rather than replacing the entire door lock actuator, you can replace the little motor that is inside the actuator. Here’s a link to eBay, you can get two motors for $10 vs. $225 for a new actuator and $400+ for Toyota to diagnose and replace it.

It took me a couple hours to remove the door panel, the actuator and then replace the motor and put everything back together. This video generally helped, although there were a few things that are different with my truck, which is a 2013, and the truck in the video is a 2011. If you are mechanically inclined at all and like to fix things, I recommend doing this yourself!

I didn’t stop to take a lot of pictures because my hands were pretty greasy. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks Jeremy

 

No problem! My wife is due in a few weeks and I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars... thankfully there were a couple of other threads that motivated me to give it a try. If anyone has questions I’d be happy to try to help.

 

Be careful!!!! And watch excactlly how you take it apart and back together. I tried the $10 motor method and I messed up somewhere and my door was un openable from inside and out. I ended up busting the lock apart to get the door open. And im not the only TW member whos had the same problem as i did

 

I done mine a few weeks ago. Before I shut the door I checked the locking mechanism with a screw driver to make sure it worked right. Once you do one door, the others are a breeze. Best mod DIY repair so far!!

 

You definitely have to be careful to put things back together correctly. It sounds like you may have had the cables backwards. One controls the lock and the other the latch.

 

I couldn’t even manually open it by pulling on the cables. I think something didn’t line up when i put the clam shell part of back together. Lesson learned

 

I have a 2013 Tacoma and was having a problem with my driver's door lock not working with the fob, it would not lock and unlock all the time and sometimes it would partially open and the latch on the inside would move slightly. I looked at your video and it looked simple. Mine is slightly different being a '13 but I took about 30 minutes to take door apart and take out the actuator. It took about 20 minutes to take the actuator apart and put back together with a new motor and about 15 minutes to put door back together. Make sure you have a tiny Phillips screwdriver handy for removing the motor.

Note - I took both 10mm bolts loose for the window track and moved it out of the way which simplified the job. There is also a difference in my door actuator installation. To remove the + rod that come from the key assembly you must rotate the actuator to allow the + on it to come out of the actuator, the black part it goes into is cut away for this, reverse to put back in. Make sure you slide the door handle rod into the hole in the actuator first. Very simple job to perform and only took a little over an hour.
Toyota service wanted $695 to change the actuator. I bought the little recommended motor online. I needed it right away so I ended up buying 4 for $19.99 since the set of 2 would not be here until Monday. So I only saved $675. The main thing I want to thank you for was the picture of the inside of it since when I finally got all the clips unsnapped the actuator it fell on the floor and all the parts fell out. Used picture and put back together in 5 minutes. THANKS A LOT!

And yes, I did the screwdriver check before I shut the door, ALWAYS. If anyone has questions on doing a '13 ask me and I will try to help out too.

 

I'm not doing this but I'm so impressed with how guys on here help each other and how you offered to help after you completed the job.

 

I have a 1st gen 2000 Tacoma, I see motors with different shafts, long, short, round, flat. My question which one fits my 2000 Tacoma? Any part numbers?

 

I have a '13 that I need to replace my motor. Would you be able to verify that the correct part number is FC-280PC-22125? One review says their 2006 uses the longer D shaft as opposed to this short one. Wanted to make sure I ordered the correct part before tearing my door apart. Thanks!

 

I did the motor replacement over the weekend.. Thanks again to all the people who posted how to's, tips and tricks.. 10$ and its works like its suppose to.

 

You have a link to the motor you bought? Thnx

 

$8 20mm Round Shaft: FC-280PC-22125 Central Door Lock Actuator Motor Long Spindle

https://www.amazon.com/20mm-Round-Shaft-FC-280PC-22125-Actuator/dp/B00AI6R6PS

 

You want the 20mm flat shaft motor NOT a round shaft

Select 20mm flat shaft
https://www.ebay.com/itm/111182112752?LH_BIN=1

 

So 20mm is the right size for 2019 as well?

 

Thank you for posting this link - this is exactly what I needed.

 

Ok, I messed up and I admit to being silly.

1st mistake: internal actuator parts spilled out and I guessed on how to put it back together.

2nd mistake: rushing because it was getting cold outside, and I closed the door without checking the locking mechanism first.

Now, the left rear door remains locked. The horizontal locking knob works perfect with the power lock control because of the new motor, but the LR door itself will not unlock.

As expected, all other doors open and close, so the wife says stop making a big deal about it. But I’d like to pursue a fix by myself.

What did you mean by “busting the lock”?

Please help, and also sorry for reviving a thread from 2019.

 

I actually broke the lock into pieces to get it out. Bought one from eBay and it’s been working fine since 2019

 

I have an 06 Prerunner doublecab. I don't have a fob. The key unlocks the driver door fine, but it wont unlock the passenger door. I have to use the door unlock button on the driver side to unlock it.
Will this motor replacement fix my problem, or is it something else completely?