[detectivenutz]

hi sorry but not much of a mechanic but i've been having issues with the drivers door lock on my toyota rav 4 from 2021. The lock starts working for a bit sometimes but then doesn't lock or unlock with the key fob, indoor switch or the key from outside. I've looked up some possible reasons and it could either be the actuator motor, bad wires or fuses. i don't think it's the actuator just because it starts working sometimes but i really don't know. any help would be appreciated and thanks for reading.

 

[FKHeath]

hi sorry but not much of a mechanic but i've been having issues with the drivers door lock on my toyota rav 4 from 2021. The lock starts working for a bit sometimes but then doesn't lock or unlock with the key fob, indoor switch or the key from outside. I've looked up some possible reasons and it could either be the actuator motor, bad wires or fuses. i don't think it's the actuator just because it starts working sometimes but i really don't know. any help would be appreciated and thanks for reading.

Not sure what you mean by some of your words:

1.. What do you mean by "starts working for a bit"? Either it locks and you hear a click/clunk, or it doesn't and you hear nothing. Only the power back door has a time between actuation and fully closed/locked.
2. What do you mean by "key from the outside"? Are you putting the mechanical key into the outside slot and turning the key to lock the door? Since there is a direct mechanical connection from the key insert slot to the lock mechanism, the only thing that will keep it from locking/unlocking is corrosion in the mechanism.

Change the battery in your key fob. A low battery can give the results you are experiencing.

Sometimes, if one of the doors is open, even slightly, the car will refuse to lock. Be sure all doors are closed tight.

Everything on the 5th generation RAV4 is run off a computer. There is no direct wires from the door lock buttons inside, and the door lock mechanism. Like wise, there is no direct wires from the radio signal receiver for the key to the door lock mechanism. For door locking/unlocking (and operating the windows, interior lights, etc) it is the "main body ECU". The main body ECU sends a message by the CAN BUS to the lock mechanism, directing it to unlock/lock.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

There is no direct wires from the door lock buttons inside, and the door lock mechanism.

Not correct--there are wires and a wire connector to the door locks inside the door.

i've been having issues with the drivers door lock

The lock starts working for a bit sometimes but then doesn't lock or unlock with the key fob, indoor switch or the key from outside.

Here is a video on removing the driver's door panel and what is inside. I also supply two screenshots that label the inside parts. You can see that the "Door Lock Controller" mechanism has a wire connector and 2 or 3 wires. They run over to a wiring bundle that has two unlabeled blue and white parts which are either connectors or relays of some sort. HERE IS MY DIAGNOSIS AND THEORY: Water has gotten down inside the door and has corroded the connections to the "door lock controller" most likely and possibly other of the connectors. Since your lock mechanism still works sometimes it is NOT too late to try to fix it. Remove the interior door panel, then disconnect the wiring connector to the door lock controller. Inspect the contacts inside the connector and inside that controller for corrosion on the holes and pins and remove it with electrical parts cleaner and tooth picks. It also could be that the Door Lock Controller is just defective and not water damaged.

 

[FKHeath]

Not correct--there are wires and a wire connector to the door locks inside the door.


Here is a video on removing the driver's door panel and what is inside. I also supply two screenshots that label the inside parts. You can see that the "Door Lock Controller" mechanism has a wire connector and 2 or 3 wires. They run over to a wiring bundle that has two unlabeled blue and white parts which are either connectors or relays of some sort. HERE IS MY DIAGNOSIS AND THEORY: Water has gotten down inside the door and has corroded the connections to the "door lock controller" most likely and possibly other of the connectors. Since your lock mechanism still works sometimes it is NOT too late to try to fix it. Remove the interior door panel, then disconnect the wiring connector to the door lock controller. Inspect the contacts inside the connector and inside that controller for corrosion on the holes and pins and remove it with electrical parts cleaner and tooth picks. It also could be that the Door Lock Controller is just defective and not water damaged.

The "controllers" are communication devices between that door and the other doors, and the main body ECU. There are no direct electrical wires from, say the drivers door rear passenger window switch and the rear passenger window motor. Everything is via Can Bus messages through the main body ECU.
I just realized this when looking at the driver's door mirror switch to install the folding outside mirror kit. When you press a button on any switch (mirror, window, lock, memory seat etc), it sends a "message" to the main body ECU via the Can Bus. The main body ECU then sends a "message" via Can Bus to the item that needs to be actuated.

The newer folding mirror kits from either CarTrimHome or AliExpress, add a controller to each door that communicated via CanBus to the other door. No longer is an electrical wire needed between the two doors to have both outside mirror fold in. You can see the new controllers in their picture: automatic folding - unfolding mechanism mirrors For Toyota RAV4 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

But you are correct that corrosion anywhere in the system can cause a problem -- switches, controllers, actuators, etc.

Wish we knew more about CanBus communications and protocol.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

But you are correct that corrosion anywhere in the system can cause a problem -- switches, controllers, actuators, etc.

Wish we knew more about CanBus communications and protocol.

Water inside the Rav4 cabin WILL cause electrical issues and gremlins--whether it gets in by the 2019-2021 roof rack holes or down the "felt" liners and weather strips of the side window glass or because of clogged sunroof drains. I agree CanBus is a mystery. I think it is safe to say that the ECM and the other computer modules (24? or more) in the 5th gen RAV4 control all vehicle functions--and the Can Bus system communicates or transmits ECM, ABS and the other modules'orders or instructions to the "hard" mechanical parts and components of the RAV about how they are to function and operate. Can Bus also interconnects all the various computer modules and multiple hard components so they work together as a team. However the Can Bus orders and signals are transmitted through HARD WIRES and hard component connectors and fuse boxes and relays inside the RAV4...not by radio waves or other invisible magical waves. For example, thieves access the headlight WIRES inside the driver's side wheel well and connect a computer device to break into the CanBus system to unlock and start the RAV to steal it.

 

[FKHeath]

However the Can Bus orders and signals are transmitted through HARD WIRES and hard component connectors and fuse boxes and relays inside the RAV4...not by radio waves or other invisible magical waves. For example, thieves access the headlight WIRES inside the driver's side wheel well and connect a computer device to break into the CanBus system to unlock and start the RAV to steal it.

Totally agree. I never said it was radio waves. The Can Bus system in the RAV4 (and other cars) is really a twisted pair similar to a USB data connection (which started with the RS232c, and before that, the old fashioned teletype). When you look at the Toyota wiring diagrams, you will see the Can Bus+ and the Can Bus- pairs going into the electronics.

 

[robertolortiz]

I have the same issue. Do you found any solutions ? Thanks