I have a 2001 Prius. Well, it looks like the electrical door lock on my driver door is no longer working. I can lock/unlock it manually with the key, but the clicker doesn't work on it at all. I was having trouble with the front passenger door locking, but discovered that clicking twice would get it to lock. Now, that door is working just fine, but the driver door isn't responding at all (the lights don't even flash). All the other doors lock/unlock fine, so it's not the clicker. Anyone have any idea about how much this will set me back? What a PITA. Now I have to figure out when I can take it in to the dealer.
The actuator on my driver's side door isn't working either. I found one on ebay a month or two back for around $80. But I never got around to ordering it. Apparently it is pretty common on any car of that age for those to fail, not just the Prius.
It's an easy job... check out the links listed here: http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/73327-replacing-power-lock-actuator-motor-in-gen-i-prius.html I did both front doors in an afternoon - in the Texas heat. You can get the motors alone for much less than the full actuator.
Well, big sigh here. North Hollywood Toyota charged me $300 for the actuator. Do you think they ripped me off? I fully expected it to be more than the $80 you found it for on eBay, but almost four times as much?? Honestly, I'm starting to distrust them. Every time I go in for an oil/lube/filter change, they always upsell me and I have actually have never once gotten JUST an oil/lube/filter service. I think I'm going to start looking around for a better place to have my Prius serviced in the Valley. Any suggestions from people here on the forum would be greatly appreciated!
I read this folder.. concerning "Apparently it is pretty common on any car of that age for those to fail, not just the Prius." I agree it's not the prius with these problems. I do think $300 is too much for just the actuator, did you mean both actuator and motor? But seriously the dealer is selling you brand new oem parts at retail pricing plus labor. I would just go find one on eBay and do it myself just to save that labor charge, but that's just me. Heck the dealer can't even do an oil change without overfilling it! And yes before I got into doing my own repairs they would charge over $100 just for an air filter that I now get for less than ten. Good luck with it and I hope you find a suitable solution.
I went to SM Toyota today to get my lock actuator fixed and they want to charge me almost $600! Did you ever find a better dealer/mechanic to take your prius to? Thanks,
While the motor is $6, the actuator motor case assembly is glued shut. You have to dremel it apart or bake it in a toaster oven to soften up the glue then pry apart with a strong utility knife....that is the hardest part of repairing them. Try 200 degrees for 10 minutes if baking.
