Toyota Sienna - Driver's Side Automatic Sliding Door Mechanism Replacement

This video will show you how to replace the driver's side sliding door motor and cable mechanism on a 2005 Toyota Sienna. This design covers 2004 to 2010 Sienna's. Toyota re-designed the cabling mechanism with 2011 models on up for easier replacement. The prior models (in our case 2005), the window must be pulled out of the sliding door in order to removed and replace the cable assembly. The replacement cable assembly with the door motor attached was obtained from a salvage yard for $25. Toyota and other non OEM parts vendors are asking between $275 to $400 for just the cable assembly. A Toyota replacement motor is approximately $500. If you take the cable replacement route, removing the old cable assembly from the door motor and replacing it with a new one should be another video on to itself. The driver and passenger side door motor and cable design is virtually identical ... the parts are mirror opposites of each other.
If you'd like to make a donation to the channel, please follow the link below: paypal.me/HardlyMoving?locale...
Parts and Specialty Tools:
Toyota Sienna 1998 thru 2006 (Haynes Repair Manual)
amzn.to/3iXPXbF
GOOACC 5 PCS Nylon Auto Trim Removal Tool Kit No-Scratch Pry Tool Kit for Car Door Clip Panel & Audio Dashboard Dismantle Red
amzn.to/3SlZI8D
NEW SDK-08052 (Left / Driver Side) Power Sliding Door Cable Assembly Repair Kit (w/ UPGRADED Pivot Design) for 04-10 Toyota Sienna 3.3L & 3.5L 3MZFE 2GRFE:
amzn.to/2W72XjK
New SDK-08042 (Right / Passenger Side) Power Sliding Door Cable Repair Kit (w/ Upgraded Pivot Design & Cable Material) for Toyota Sienna 3.3L & 3.5L 04-10 3MZFE 2GRFE:
amzn.to/2UIFhC9
Power Sliding Door Cable Kit w/o Motor 85620-08042 Right Passenger Side For 04-10 Toyota Sienna(NMN-3058)
amzn.to/310IpiL
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Please Subscribe: goo.gl/x6fySQ

[@mszymcza]

Thank you for posting this video. I watched a few other videos on the topic but wasnt ready to tackle the project until I watched yours. Your video was great and saved me a ton of money as compared to the cost of taking it to the dealership. I'm guessing my story is similar to others. If anyone is reading this comment and hesitating, know this video covers the entire process. Just take your time, bag and label your parts and be ready for a few minor hiccups.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CarCustodian]

Think how much this would cost to take to a shop?!? This is definitely a lot, and I have to do this to both side 😭

[@coryengel]

The shop cost in 2023 is about $1500 for ONE door. This video is helpful in many ways, but doesn’t cover key parts if you’re replacing the mechanism: how exactly to anchor the cables in the spool, which direction to spool the cables, etc. not even the directions that come with the part cover this.

[@mszymcza]

@@coryengel Just take your time and take pictures of your original as you remove it. If you take your time, this is doable by anyone.

[@barotraumabruce4245]

After watching this video I’m thinking it’s time for a trade in! :-)))

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya! Not a cheap fix at the dealer.

[@kevinlam1238]

Thanks for creating the videos and tips. I just replaced the cable assembly and the saggy, worn out hinge on a 2007 Sienna XLE.

[@hardlymovingpro]

That's great! It's a difficult repair and congratulations!

[@kevinlam1238]

Hardly Moving Productions It was tough and stressful. Definitely not for the timid. There are still some nuances in winding the cable properly before tightening the enclosure. Also, maintaining the proper tension of the cable as one puts things back. The final gotcha is the main hinge. If it is worn to begin with, anticipate just replacing it outright before the job begins.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Still ... I consider it a achievement. Most people wouldn't have been able to do it ... IMHO. That's why the dealers charge so much for the repair.

[@kevinlam1238]

Hardly Moving Productions agreed I’m super happy to have repaired it myself. It’s made me more confident to replace the spark plugs on this car.

[@isaacray8530]

Excellent thank you short format straight to the point well done, sir

[@hardlymovingpro]

You're welcome!

[@ttinnovations3310]

Thank you, I need to do this for my van =)

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good luck with the repair.

[@johnr.timmers2297]

Thanks for the vid. Definitely just going to cut the cable and make it a normal sliding door.

[@dwbodine]

John - how did that work out for you? I was thinking of doing the same but didn't want to leave the door inoperable....any pointers?

[@ELSALVADORCONORGULLO]

@@dwbodine I cut the cable aswell and doors are good lol

[@wendellpreadom8925]

You made it look way too easy the great job

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks 👍

[@rachelcompton4625]

After watching this video, I do believe that we will just have to open the sliding doors manually from now on! I have a 2009 Toyota Sienna, one side broke a few years ago (cable frayed). We were actually unable to even open the door! So had to cut the cable. Just recently the other side did the same thing! I plan to use this van until it's last day so no worries on resale value! It's a great van.... with manual doors now! lol ETA: I was actually never a fan of the automatic doors, I have little ones and I was always afraid it would malfunction and get an arm, head, leg... something. They are suppose to not close if they bump into something but still... accidents happen! Parts dont always work as planned! So at least now I have no worries!

[@hardlymovingpro]

For whatever it's worth, starting in 06 or 07, Toyota changed the design to make the replacement much easier. Some kid made a video on it; but the older model is a nightmare.

[@rachelcompton4625]

@@hardlymovingpro I'll see if I can find the 2009, thanks for that info! I'm still not sure if I even want to replace them but I'll check it out! The motor may not even be bad, might just be the frayed cable causing the issue (I know I do not want to spend $300 + on each side tho haha) My van is almost 280k miles (so these doors have been opened and closed a LOT!) Definitely lasted well past what I thought they'd last.

[@selinanovelo4690]

Is it easy to cut the cable and can you give me an idea on how to do so? Please and thank you🙏

[@rachelcompton4625]

@@selinanovelo4690 My brother found the cable along the bottom of the window (3rd row window) and was able to pull it enough to cut it with cable cutters. That door wouldnt open but a few inches and then close again so we put a bar in the door so it wouldnt close at all.

[@Jesus4UWH]

Great job!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks!

[@andym1594]

thx. studying the snot out of this and other videos of this repair as I'm going to tackle it next week. The actuator is also broken on the same door, so it will be a two-fer repair while I have it opened up for surgery. 2006 sienna.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good luck with the repair! Plan on spending the day.

[@andym1594]

@@hardlymovingpro Got the cabling in and the door slides and opens/closes, but for some reason when I test the power close like you did in the video the motor won't power the door. All plugs are plugged in. I'm wondering if a power cable got stressed when moving that panel or if I zip-tied the power cords too tight on the motor assembly after reassembling the cable gearbox. Could that motor have gotten burned up? Not sure how to test that. I've got a day to poke at it since I ordered the wrong actuator.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I would venture too guess is that there maybe too much slack in the cable.

[@averagejew]

@@hardlymovingpro Found it. With it torn down, the lock got switched on. Beat my head against the wall for about 3 hours figuring that out. I swore I checked that. Was searching for new motors, but after going back out and playing with the locks it started working. Well it was that or the lock system reset itself after being powered off, but I don't think that's a "thing" in the 2006 models. Now just got to watch the mail for the actuator. BTW- of all the videos showing how to do this, yours is the best step by step. Well done.

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@averagejew Happy things worked out for you and thanks for your kind critique of this video!

[@StarmanDX]

this looks pretty simple. my dad was quoted like $800+ for the repair, and he is really averse to trying to fix things himself, but I'm going to try and convince him to let me fix it

[@hardlymovingpro]

Ok ... good luck!

[@HawkGTboy]

After watching this video I will happily pay $800 to avoid all of this hassle.

[@wyndmclark7235]

You really know a job is tasking when you bust your gloves 😂

[@hardlymovingpro]

All the time!

[@minhdo9597]

Sir, Sienna 06 has airbag light on after cleaning carpet, probably accidentally touching airbag connector(s) underneath the passenger front seat. Is there anyway to reset that light? Appreciated always.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Look under the seat by removing the 4 bolts that holds the seat down and check for any broken wire connections. Otherwise, get or buy a scan tool that reads airbag error codes and connect to your OBDII port to get the error codes.

[@PickyOne]

Check this video for resetting Sienna airbag light after carpet cleaning kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHKUgWBrmapkpJo

[@daverose9987]

Great video! If have a 2008 Sienna. The doors slide well but both sliding doors have the problem with the mechanism that does the final closing operation. I have to do a 'hip bump' like I'm dancing to an old disco song. lol While that is not so terrible to have to do, I'd like to try to get it fixed. I've tried to clean it and spray it. That did get one of them to work for a short time. to get at the failed part, does everything that is removed in your video have to be done to get at that part?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, everything needs to be removed. The later model Sienna's made it easier.

[@tl2135]

I only need to replace my broken window. Do i have to remove all those wire or just the two bolt that holds the window?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Can't advise. Been a couple of years since doing this job.

[@Ojkingy]

Hi there, your video is very helpful.......I have a question, hopefully you can assist. I just picked up a 2005 LE FWD and the driver side cable is sticking out or when the door is closed, the cable is visible on the inside right on top of the plastic panelling. Do I have to remove everything like your video? How do I have the cable, I guess go back to its place?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Is the auto close and open feature still working with the cable being visible?

[@Ojkingy]

Yes, door is able to open and close and manually and lock in place ( when you shut the door it goes in and is secured)

[@hardlymovingpro]

Cable visibility is normal below the side glass panel.

[@Ojkingy]

really, it wasn't there before...I was thinking the kids were pushing the buttons etc, because it wasn't there before.@@hardlymovingpro

[@Ojkingy]

also it won't stay opened, meaning when you open the door all the way, it won't stay open, it keeps slowly sliding to close, unless you hold it, know what I mean

[@shininglightfilms3592]

Do you have a video for the 2011 model replacement? I'm probably going to be getting a 2011 and the passenger will auto-open and manual shut, but not auto shut... Ideas? Great video btw!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Someone else put out a popular video on the 11's that pretty simple and straight forward ... IMHO.

[@averagejew]

In searching around on this- I saw someone else was having this same problem. Didn't see a solution. Apparently on newer models you can completely "reset" the lock system, sort of like a factory reset.

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@averagejew Think Toyota concluded their original design was over engineered and needed to come up with a simpler design for future models.

[@HawkGTboy]

“We’re going to be removing the side window glass...” and I’m done. I’ll just take the thing to the dealer!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Wait till you get their repair quote.

[@HawkGTboy]

Hardly Moving Productions I did, the cost is $0. Toyota is covering it even though it’s a 2015 and out of warranty! For the cost of a door motor and a few hours of technician time they made me a life long toyota customer. I’ll never buy anything else.

[@TehDrewsus]

@@HawkGTboy I'm having my 2017 with 35k miles looked at next week for a driver's side door that will open but not close. I hope my dealership is this gracious. We bought it CPO and it happened not long after we bought it about a year ago

[@edbouhl3100]

@@hardlymovingpro After watching your video I can see why they quote what they do!

[@coryengel]

Some parts of this repair are a lot harder than removing the glass.

[@ericpitt3542]

Thanks for the video, however, what info did/do you have for winding the cable? It was so mangled that I couldn't count the winds. At 6:50, you just installed the assembly. Any insights would be great.

[@hardlymovingpro]

That cable spool part with the mangled cable was completely replaced with a part obtained from the salvage yard. if you want to retain and rebuild that part with a new cable, that would be another video on to itself. If the cable spool sprocket (made of plastic) is damaged, I don't see how you can rebuild it with new cables unless Toyota sells that individual spool sprocket replacement part ... which I doubt. They'll probably force you to buy the entire cable assembly without the motor.

[@ericpitt3542]

@@hardlymovingpro I purchased the complete new assembly with spool & cover (minus the motor), thus requiring respooling the reel.

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@ericpitt3542Then I would attach the end cable to the door and manually wind up the excess cable. So while one cable is being spooled, the other cable is being released ... if that makes sense.

[@Burnlem65]

@@hardlymovingpro it does make sense, but my issue is which cable is wound on top and which on the bottom half of the reel. it seems like it would matter - not sure how the motor works

[@toddlempe1454]

passenger side: ebay! Genuine Toyota 11-20 Sienna Right Power Sliding Door Cable Sub-Assembly 85015-08 ---- $39

[@lamasa09mm]

I replaced the driver side one but after I did that, only open when I pull the handle, when I press the button it won't open, like if it's get stuck

[@hardlymovingpro]

Maybe some electrical fitting you forgot to connect?

[@o6RSEvo]

Hello, if I want to convert my driver side sliding door to be automatic would this be the same process? I currently have the passenger side sliding door as automatic and would like to have both be automatic

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thought the driver's side was automatic as well?

[@italorocco3124]

Good afternoon, I would like to know if you do this work at home, I have a 2008 sienna with a problem in both doors… Thank you

[@hardlymovingpro]

Yes but don't think you're in my neck of the woods.

[@AmazingLifestyle19]

My 2005 sienna’s cable broke and it doesn’t want to open. I pull very hard but won’t open? Any help here?

[@landshass2849]

1. Disable the sliding doors button in dash. 2. If it's the driver side, make sure the gas door is shut. 3. Role the window down just slightly to get a grap. 4. If you see the broken cable hanging, don't worry, no more damage is going to happen, just force the door open with two hands, one hold the handle pulled and the other pushes the door back. You may need another person to help pop the rear part out first by grabbing the the window frame. 5. If the door does not pop out, enable the door switch in the dash, and repeat. At least the pop motor will help pop the end of the door out. The pop motor is not the cable motor that slides the door back and forth. The pop motor job is to pop out the rear end of the door prior to the slide and to suck the rear end in at the end of the closer. Remember, no way to fix the door without sliding it open. Never force open the stuck door by the door handle only. Hope that helps. See my channel for some Sienna videos. But not including door repairs.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for helping Vang Vang out!

[@jonathanstefanopoulos4779]

Can you link the tools and the Plastic trim kit you used to pull of the panels?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Here you go: amzn.to/3SlZI8D

[@johnbaptist7476]

Hello sir I have a question please . I've installed the R side door cable, I've bought from amozon about $ 98 . I did lubricated all over , but it does have crunching noise and it is a little hard to pull . Is it normal or goes away may be . I have not tried it by motor yet . thanks for your reply . 👌🙏👍✟ 22 .🎉🎈🎂☕

[@hardlymovingpro]

Difficult to advise without checking out myself.

[@johnbaptist7476]

@@hardlymovingpro Thanks for reply . The reason is after market one sometimes the cables are a little short . dealer wants 901$$ if I buy 2 sets & 1 set is 475$, my wife set let it cry till it stops.😁 ❤✌🙏👍👏👏👏

[@user-nw7db1nl8p]

is the 2010 LE Sienna the same process as your video

[@hardlymovingpro]

Can't say if they changed the design.

[@enylopez3970]

Hello my name is Eny And I have a 2005 Toyota sienna 30 passengers door or on the driver side is stuck and it will not slide to open. I would like to know what’s causing that

[@hardlymovingpro]

Probably the door latch mechanism is broken or the cable that pulls on the door latch release lever is detached or broken.

[@enylopez3970]

@@hardlymovingpro I found the problem with a customer that came to purchase something and they fighure it out, thanks any away but it wasn't that the you was telling me, it was a lock underneath to prevent opening by a child or someone else

[@kathyintosa]

If I cut the frayed cable, will the door work manually?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Can't say since i have tried.

[@shaheedmohammed8369]

Yes it would work

[@Mark-jd1jx]

Both doors on my dads sienna has stopped auto sliding and just not going to bother with such a job that might take me like 2 hours lol. I already got my hands full with pulling the sub frame. i'l stick to just manually opening them but if i do tackle this job someday thanks for the video.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Understand ... no problem and thanks for your comment.

[@truthtimetv4575]

the hell do you have to pull the sub frame for? or did you since i see now this was a year ago lol

[@hardlymovingpro]

You on the right channel / video?

[@k9trekllc583]

How long would it take for someone who's pretty handy but is never done this type of repair before?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Difficult to calculate. Maybe around 3 hours with no hiccups.

[@senaitfisehaye6402]

Where you living i have the same problem so can you fix me? I am living in Minnesota st. Paul i need your swift response.

[@hardlymovingpro]

East of Memphis, TN

[@ProjectOverseer]

Though the system is the same. Its a lot easier to repair on the Toyota Alphard. (2008)

[@hardlymovingpro]

Toyota made improvements on the new Sienna's for ease of maintenance.

[@adamhonda98]

If the window dont work what I do?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Probably the motor needs replacement.

[@AliksonAlikson]

Thanks for the video. I need to know the actual length of each cable. Reply pls

[@hardlymovingpro]

Sorry ... do not know. Replacement parts and cable came off of a salvaged Sienna.

[@emiliochavez2021]

What is name part?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Power Sliding Door Cable Assembly

[@mikehopkins7384]

This looked like a. Nightmare..not sure I want to fix mine myself anymore

[@hardlymovingpro]

Honestly ... it wasn't easy.

[@andrew3232]

Wow, just did my 11 - way easier than this model

[@hardlymovingpro]

I know.

[@raedwulf61]

Too bad you just can't replace the cable.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I know!

[@rnfarnworth]

Not worth the hassle.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya!

[@Jedi_Luke]

Yikes. This is why I stick with Honda. Toyota makes reliable engines and transmissions, but stuff like this is way too over engineered.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Newer models simplified the design.

[@Jedi_Luke]

@@hardlymovingpro I hope so. I did a 2006 Odyssey and it was ages easier than this. I didn't have to remove none of that glass or door panel stuff.

[@johnbaptist7476]

Xmas 21 👍👏 󾓦 ✟✟✟ 󾓦 H N Year 22 . I've learned a lot from all your videoes Thanks .

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for your support!

[@johnbaptist7476]

Hello Sir Where can buy that yello gizmo ? Thanks for your reply 😇❤🌻👍🙏👌👏