I have 08 Prius and the Front Drivers side door lock has recently been acting up. What happens is that sometimes the door lock wont lock or unlock. If try unlocking from the outside the car will try to unlock the drivers door. If I try to unlock from the inside it still wont unlock (via switches on inside). Other times it looks like the lock isn't getting enough power to fully unlock/lock the door. It will almost make it. It would get 40% to the lock position but it just can't make it. The weird thing is that once I turn the car on after like 10 attempts to unlock via the switches (when car was off), the door will lock/unlock fine. This led me to believe that it was a power issue but the 12v battery is only 2 years old and the voltages are reading fine. Once the car gets powered up the door lock will unlock/lock perfectly just like the others. So I determined it is the actuator, specifically the motor it self going bad. I found some used ones for about $50 and will most likely buy that or may try and rebuild mine buying a motor off ebay. Is there anything else I can try or do to fix this issue? Am I correct to assume its the door lock actuator? Thank you!
Likely actuator if it looks like its trying but weak. The little hobby motors goes bad inside the actuator. I've fixed like 3-4 (on Rav4s) with replacement motors from ebay for about $5. Here is a link on disassembly. Fixed: Door Lock Actuator in Gen II Prius | PriusChat
maybe pull the panel off to make sure the mechanism and wiring are good. what is your stone cold 12v reading?
12.3V with just the screen on 11.9V acc 11.1/11.2V acc with headlights on ~14.0V with car on. Thanks.
not bad, but that's not stone cold. should be higher with everything off, so the battery is probably fine.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the actuator was indeed bad. It was pretty easy to replace. Some tips I would give in addition to the DIY is buy some spare door clips because they will break. Also make sure your buying a genuine mabuchi motor for the actuator and not some knock off. One last thing i wasnt able to fix the actuator in the same day so i took of the door close sensor bolt, so the battery wouldn't drain.
Ugh, mine went out and dealer quoted $580. Never heard of this going out on a vehicle before. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
