TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DOORS NOT LOCKING OR UNLOCKING DIAGNOSIS & FIX

In today's video we have a 2013 Toyota Highlander with a V6 3.5l. The owners complaint is that both front doors will not lock or unlock when using both the key fob and the lock switch on the door. Before assuming we have faulty door lock actuators we need to test the system. On this particular design, they are computer controlled by a unit called the main body ECU. Follow along as I show you how to troubleshoot any issues with your Toyotas door locks.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Advanced Level Auto, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Advanced Level Auto assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Advanced Level Auto recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Advanced Level Auto, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Advanced Level Auto.

[@Flowtester1]

Man I love how you take the time and go through the wiring diagrams with us. I watch a lot of other video's like Pine Hollow, South Main, Scanner Danner, and others. None of them go through the diagrams as thorough as you do. I mean they do go through them, but not slow like you do.

[@gonzaloruiz4830]

I think it’s so supuró and making the video too long just show the issue then the problem that simple

[@brianreach5044]

Bclllllllllllllj

[@gregjones8501]

One of the best diagnosticians on KZbin! Thanks as always Eric!

[@michaelslee4336]

This guy and Eric from South Main Auto are deadset diag champions and I can’t get enough of them.

[@sambitar8448]

Sir your approach to diagnostics is the top of the line, direct to the issue at hand and you do take up the time to makes better diagnostic technician, bless your heart and thanks a million

[@russellhltn1396]

Completely assembling before testing? You're a brave man.

[@JT-lq4yd]

You got a repeat customer, that is awesome! Keep up the great work 👍

[@thuongnguyen2640]

Excellent work Amigo! Specifically when you put the remote in your pocket and your hand touches the door handle, the door automatically opens. Now I solve my problem with your instructions! Thank you so much! God bless you! Helping others is your happiness!

[@Oldbass40]

Great video! I love how detailed you are in your diagnosing. I own a Highlander too so if my doors start to not work I'll have this video to refer to. Thank you!!!

[@onehipdad]

Great lesson, highly detailed without being overbearing, thanks a million!

[@Vince006]

Great job man 👏🏽 on taking an analytical approach and also troubleshooting and explaining every move with the wiring diagram. Always wanted to learn that.

[@jgeorges3061]

Eric, AWESOME explanation and the way u went with showing the diagram and how the system work we can not ask more this will help lots of people out there appreciate ur time and effort brother. cheeeeers

[@TheCrazy243]

Love how you show wiring diagram 👍🏼! It help me learn. Mine was two bad switches on front doors. I tested not guess!

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to explain the wiring diagram. Without the schematic you are kind of dead in the water. You and your family stay safe and well Artie 😊

[@peinc4321]

Thank you for the video... Installed both driver and passenger side as advertised. The only challenge was feeling for the rod insert, but ALL IS FIXED!

[@videosenutube]

You make it look so easy. Enjoy watching your videos.

[@robertfoilesjr1337]

Great video. Thanks for the wiring diagram explanation and please continue to show these with explanation as this is excellent teaching.

[@ohmrai4255]

You are the great technician. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge.

[@kolobkolobkolobkolob]

Hey also this video was made extremely well, very detailed so there is no misunderstanding what is said and very data rich. Super job there.

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Great diagnostic and repair. Keep up the great work!

[@MattyEngland]

Keep up the good work Eric, you're fast building up the subs that your great vids deserve. 100k by Xmas I hope 👍

[@itsjustchris3306]

very straight forward diagnostics and easy to understand, thanks a lot

[@HectorHernandez-jq7hw]

I appreciate this video. Cuz I have a 03 highlander and my front door do the same thing intermittently so now I know my front door lock actuators are on their way out. So I will be replacing those in the near future. Thank u!

[@fredsalter1915]

Great job, Eric!

[@j.maxwaddell2557]

Another great fix by Eric.

[@margaritacruz8618]

I love take thing apart and DIY with my car. I have 2011 Toyota Highlander has the same problem I will follow your videos!

[@orgtua4x48]

Good Work will satisfy a customer...customer happy and they will keep telling their friends...affordable price you will kept regular customer since in this day,all car came fully electronic,not all technician is smart and honest like you...wish you a good day Eric..

[@pajtaj]

Very detailed and to the point video!

[@mikecont9742]

Great diagnostic video.

[@diogosantos1332]

Worked like a charm

[@W.Khairi]

Very clean and thorough, Thanks a lot.

[@ganeshnarayan5505]

Great video Eric.

[@thefin7212]

Love these vids man as an a new apprentice auto elec they are awesome

[@josephneal4858]

Great diag and fix brother i really enjoyed it!!!!!

[@foxwithtubesox1075]

This is one of those repairs that is not very challenging, but can get tedious removing components to get to your target.

[@ufoguyspaceman6137]

Excellent Video. Well Done. Professional Work.

[@alfredoandrade9538]

great job... you make it look so easy

[@netman88]

Thanks for the excellent video. Excellent diagnosis on the problem.

[@rickherron3263]

Awesome video. Love the logical approach. Very helpful. Thank you! I have a 2012 Toyota Highlander. Driver's side note: There are two attachments. 1. The vertical rod that operates the door handle (in your video). 2. And the horizontal rod (end piece looks like a cross) that operates with the mechanical (emergency) key. Maybe this will help those with the mechanical key.

[@francisdsa6790]

Very good explanation and demonstration information 👍👍👌👌🙏

[@alpine7840]

Awesome as always!!!

[@mikiethebikie]

Well done, logic and testing shows the why, not just the how. 👏

[@rafaeltorovip]

As always you did a wonderful job 👍

[@buddaclayton9292]

Great video thank you for explaining what you are doing 😀

[@kylepenman3374]

Solid troubleshooting!

[@redlewcra1]

Beautiful work sir

[@cinbigred]

Great video! Very well done and completely understandable. thanks.

[@angusalamezie6193]

Always the best thank you Eric

[@fabricekdk6573]

Amazing video!

[@hdlstns]

thanks for the Very Thorough troubleshooting and explanation. I am currently having the same issue on my daughter's highlander... unfortunately, it looks like our body computer is the culprit.

[@omarherrera6139]

another great video 📹 good job Eric !!

[@efman2k3]

Great video!!!

[@XOX57]

You are the best Bro.👍👍👍

[@Katy-Did]

Wonderful video! Thank you!

[@alex4alexn]

i love these vids so much

[@benhurworld]

amazing man with great skills

[@mikerivera09]

Great video great diag. Hope you didn’t forget to line up the rod for the key cylinder into the new actuator for the driver side. Seen it happen often.

[@hglatt]

Thanks for a great quality and detailed how-to, also for showing the brand and model of replacement part which is $40 on amazon vs $80 on toyota parts. One note for anyone trying this is after completing installation you may have to engage the exterior handle once before the mechanism will snap into a working state. Mine stayed latched such that it bounced back from closing and I couldn't even close and latch the door, regardless of locked or unlocked the car was undriveable! I had a moment of great despair thinking I had finished in triumph only to face tearing it back down to figure out what went wrong, but thankfully I discovered this and avoided all that extra frustration for nothing, so want to pass that on.

[@pontiacsrule8761]

This guy has the best videos. I always enjoy his videos. Don't ever play a drinking game though every time he says "Guys" LOL Thanks for making these videos for us

[@pedrorodriguez7601]

Great job 👌

[@khalidkfy7368]

Nice work

[@Loudes012]

You have the know how and skills.

[@fire7765]

Good job

[@jaroncc]

Man great video, thanks,.......

[@marsshaw799]

Awesome man! You did a fantastic job to explain everything in detail. You could be good trade teacher the way you explain things and talk fluently. I have 2012 highlander only driver’s door open with the remote sometimes and sometimes it will work fine. And when remote refuses to unlock then rest of the 3 doors that time won’t unlock from the door switch too, I will manually have to flip the unlock thing from the doors. Any guess what is going on with the doors?

[@luismarty1685]

Thank you sir.

[@nashgomez9118]

I’ve been checking out your videos , I’m very impressed by your thorough technical approach.. I’ve been to 3 shops and 3 separate answers.. I have a 2010 GMC Sierra 6.2 .. has a chirp sound that’s driving me nuts .. engine runs good no misfire , no check engine light .. would like to know where your located .. perhaps you have time some day .. ? Thanks for your time ..

[@af15750798]

That was a great video. Are you an instructor? Very professional.

[@woppini]

As a tech for 25 years, I just started watching your channel. Really enjoy the diagnostic procedures. Also you made it easier to select my next scan tool. Of the latest launch and thinkpro, is there one you prefer for domestic and Asian imports

[@technocody9296]

TechStream for Lexus/Toyota/Scion from Amazon or eBay.

[@garyday3191]

You the man

[@randyblanton3684]

Get qualify parts. I bought actuator, installed it, and it didn't work properly. I couldn't figure out why so I paid a shop. The only thing different was that they used a different brand and told me that mine was junk. I bought parts, did the labor and then paid someone else to do the same thing. Beware of crappy parts. It's hard to believe that the new part that you just bought is no good but it might be true.

[@vmn1451]

This is like School for logic

[@benjaminlevi7792]

Bravo

[@rickariail3825]

My wife thanks u. I hate working on my own stuff. Thanks

[@martinarrieta248]

Grasias

[@neilmurphy845]

Thank god you didn't have to do the silly procedure to relearn the door locks and the remote I tried it on my verso it's so frustrating the way Toyota give you a remote but if the battery goes there you can't use it because it's impossible to relearn it again

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Like #80 Thanks for the video! Life is a learning curve! Hindsight is 20-15!

[@turtlebro4498]

This is a great video. would i be able to assume the same thing for a 2008 Silverado 1500? Sometimes the driver door can be unlocked with the remote but not always. also sometimes when i use the buttons on the door all, some or none of the doors lock or unlock. sometimes when i drive and arrive somewhere as soon as i put the truck into park they unlock but not always. I was told it was probably that the terminals on the battery where not properly installed but i checked and cleaned them and they were.

[@scientist100]

I was hoping to see something with RF drop out and catching it with the oscilloscope. I believe only Bernie has one of those examples with a keyless immobilizer key.

[@autoacoustics4938]

Thanks for the video but you teasing us with videos coming far and wide , I had a similar problem with actuators on a Trailblazer turns out it was a broken harness in the drivers door

[@OhioSurvivor-]

Thanks for the video... I replace the left front door actuator and the door and key fob works great. But now when using the key manually to lock and unlock it does not work. Any idea why that might be?. The key does rotate but no action on the actuator.

[@kpj805]

Are the front and rear actuators interchangeable?

[@chrisosiecki8050]

Would testing the key lock unlock at driver’s door given u any info before removing door panel?

[@claudeprimeau6328]

good video my driver side door work all right but the three oder lock only didn.t unlocked what is my problem do that after i try to lock the door when they are open all fuses seem very good

[@stealthg35infiniti94]

Eric,you're a professional! "We are not here to guess ,we are here to prove." Just curious, were the actuators electrical fail or mechanical fail? Perhaps the internal lubricant gummed up causing extreme friction. It's possible cleaning and relubing internal mechanical parts could have fixed those actuators.

[@markrup6369]

Eric -- I just did one of these on a Lexus IS250 yesterday and it was a mother!! One thing you didn't mention is that the driver side has an additional rod that goes into the actuator, I believe for the key lock. The receptacle on the actuator for that second rod is show at 16:03 in the video. It is the round gray hole just under your thumb knuckle. If you don't pay attention to that and you do not get that second rod in that hole, the key lock/unlock won't work. And it was ridiculously difficult for me to get that rod into that receptacle. No room to get your hands up there and you have to work blindly. I wonder if you tested that. Did you try to lock/unlock the door with the key? I bet not -- you might want to go back and ask the customer if that works..

[@MariaGomez-ze5tg]

How did you manage the manual key on the Highlander limited 2013. The door rod is tricky but I got that down.

[@ARZ1987]

I have this same problem with my 2012 Highlander, it’s so frustrating, dealer quoted me $1200-1300 to fix which I am struggling if it’s worth paying that for an older car :(

[@kolobkolobkolobkolob]

Don't take to the dealer they charge a thousand times above fair price and the Toyota actuator by Toyota will bankrupt you. Your local mechanic will do for much much much less.

[@diegoguerrero6858]

Donde conseguiste el nuevo repuesto

[@bluesky2145]

Great video but why would both actuators fail at the same time? Also I think you should have tested them before you put the panels back on just in case

[@dealerauctionnightmare4689]

I worked on a 2009ish Nissan Altima about a month ago and had to replace ALL 4 door lock actuators....😮😮

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Wow! They must have failed one at a time but the owner never bothered fixing them.

[@dealerauctionnightmare4689]

@@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO they didn't worry about fixing them, it was a 1 owner car too!

[@sanadahmed4829]

Please video how to re program the LDA the windshield camera assist replacement for Toyota .2020

[@carlaredfield551]

Both my doors are doing just this!! My right side passenger door started this about two years ago and now my driver side started this week. Toyota dealership wanted to charge me $500 for one door and with a 2013 my warranty has expired. I took my car to another smaller shop and he wanted more than that!! Can you tell me what the cost should be around? Thank you very much for your video!!

[@twashington4]

This has been my experience as well. Quoted $600 for one door for my 2012 Camry. Just like you both my front doors aren’t working. I don’t see $1200 worth of labor here.

[@HeartSoulLeake]

Hey, generally it is said to disconnect the BATTERY GROUND when doing any kind of electrical repairs. Is this correct and are there any code resets or other technical resets needed?

[@baseline4102]

I fix it by changing the small motor inside the actuator , each motor cost me 3$ only

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Wow! I had no idea you could buy just the motor. These actuators are not cheap. Thanks for the heads up!

[@sulemanhabib1743]

Great job , fantastic (A L A).How do I buy this scanner online to Ghana. Habib Auto all day way from Ghana

[@gamer-zy5ro]

Can i switch between rear driver Actuator and driver side Actuator ?

[@kolobkolobkolobkolob]

I see prices online for actuator and a bit confused, some most just say door actuator others say Door actuator motor? Isn't it all one unit? I went and looked a little bit more and sure enough looks like they sell the door actuator and motor separately if you want. How do you know if you are getting a complete unit meaning actuator and actuator motor all in one??? I saw where some are 45 dollars and others are 120 dollars assuming the higher price is for a complete unit?

[@cjnorton]

Looking for info...I have a 2011 Hybrid Limited. Today I opened the door when in park. Once with motor running at store, and once when off and arrived home. The lock fluttered when I opened the door? What would cause this? Have never seen this happen. *Update: I believe it is the actuator. With opened doors this morning, and car running, door locked/unlocked intermittently without me pushing anything. Tips? Advice?

[@randyaivaz3356]

Was taught "Prove it Out" By an Airborne Radio Man, Landed in Normandy. Almost 40 Years Ago. Actually already Proved out Troubleshoots, but he would say it. I wanted to add a Hidden Pushbutton Switch to unlock Door, Neoprene Boot, under car or by front grill. Would help if Key Locked in Car. It Appears Both the Red And Green are at Ground Potential, Don't see how I can apply 12 volts while Both Grounded. Boat Trim and Tilt Motors use 2 Single Pole Double Throw Relays, Each Relay will normally have both Motor Wires Grounded. Due to the SPDT Switch can't energize both Relays at same time, not an issue. How would I Unlock door? apply positive to Green wire. Only safe way without your input would be with a 4PDT relay..in the non energize state, Red and Green would connect with the Relay Contacts. When I push hidden button, it would energize relay, which removes computer then applies Positive and Negative to correct Wires. I may be missing something, can you clear up. Thanks Adding this, just thought about it and realized Actuators get signal from computer, would think they would be fused. Protect Computer from Shorted Actuator or Wiring? All Polarity Reversing is in Computer, both Grounded when button not pressed. Must be Same Basic Circuit internally. The Lock/Unlock and Wireless Fob may have same input or seperate to Computer to avoid putting voltage ground?

[@marklance033]

My 09' Lexus Es350 keeps locking itself while driving or with it on running parked etc on all doors. Replaced master window switch & still locks itself while driving or parked while on. Any idea?

[@knight3131]

Hey I have a 2020 rav4 I'm having issues with locking and unlocking my vehicle. I have a good 12v battery and replaced the battery on both key fobs. It is a push start vehicle. When I have the key in my pocket, it wouldn't open or start the vehicle.. I sometimes have to press 6 to 8 times on the key fob to get it to open or closed the doors. What can be causing this problem? I put a scanner and there are no codes.