Key fob replacement problem


  #1  
Old 01-23-18, 03:30 PM
T
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 961
Received 109 Upvotes on 97 Posts
Key fob replacement problem

My son-in-law just bought a 2002 Lexus LX-470 in very nice condition. It has an issue with the key fob: the key fob operates all the doors except the driver's door which must be opened manually. According to the used car lot, the key fob was missing when the car was purchased. A new key fob was purchased and programed but (as I said) it doesn't work on the driver's door.

I'd appreciate some advice on how to get the driver door to synch with the key fob or if a part replacement is necessary.
 
  #2  
Old 01-23-18, 03:35 PM
Marq1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA MI
Posts: 9,745
Received 1,210 Upvotes on 1,098 Posts
There is an actuator in the door that locks/unlocks, first thing, do the power door locks work?

If not pull the door panel and see if the wiring is disconnected, if it does work and it's just the fob then there is something associated to the BCM that is not sending the signal to the door. Dealer should be able to check for communication errors which would track down the likely issue.
 
  #3  
Old 01-23-18, 06:13 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,928
Received 3,947 Upvotes on 3,540 Posts
On that older Lexus it's going to be the actuator.
 
  #4  
Old 01-23-18, 10:05 PM
T
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 961
Received 109 Upvotes on 97 Posts
Thanks for the information. I just realized that the car doesn't beep when the doors are locked and unlocked with the key fab. Is that another indication of the actuator or something else?
 
  #5  
Old 01-23-18, 10:30 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,928
Received 3,947 Upvotes on 3,540 Posts
No.... the beep can be turned off in user programming.

You need to sit in the vehicle, close the door and see if the drivers door actually locks. It may do nothing. It may make a noise but not lock,
 
  #6  
Old 01-24-18, 05:47 AM
T
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 961
Received 109 Upvotes on 97 Posts
You need to sit in the vehicle, close the door and see if the drivers door actually locks. It may do nothing. It may make a noise but not lock,
Thanks, PJ. With door closed, interior driver button locks all doors except driver. Does this confirm the actuator?
 
  #7  
Old 01-24-18, 06:31 AM
Bob14525's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,639
Received 79 Upvotes on 69 Posts
Originally Posted by Tony P.
Thanks, PJ. With door closed, interior driver button locks all doors except driver. Does this confirm the actuator?
Yes, it indicates that your problem has nothing to do with the key fob. The problem is with the door mechanism itself, most likely the actuator.
 
  #8  
Old 01-24-18, 08:40 AM
T
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 961
Received 109 Upvotes on 97 Posts
One more question, please.

From what I'm finding, the actuator is a $200 part while the actuator motor is only $10. Is there a way to determine whether the entire actuator is needed before I take the door apart?
 
  #9  
Old 01-24-18, 09:04 AM
Marq1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA MI
Posts: 9,745
Received 1,210 Upvotes on 1,098 Posts
So as I stated you confirmed that it's the actuator not the fob, not the BCM.

Need to look at the actuator in the door, could be as simple as an elec connection or the actuator itself.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description: