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Why does rear passenger side door of 2000 Toyota Avalon occasionally not lock securely in freezing weather?
Scenario: Scraped ice my off windshield, then opened the rear passenger-side door to put the scraper on the mat, then closed the door but it wouldn't click shut, and would swing freely, so I has to bungie cord it tricky cuz there's no loop to attach to on the door and drive 25 minutes to workplace while the open door light came on frequently. On arrival I removed the bungie cord, opened and shut the door and it clicked shut normally. This happened when skiing last year too and the passenger had to hold the door for the entire drive back! Unsafe! Also I cannot leave the car parked anywhere securely locked when this situation occurs. I had clicked the key fob to lock all doors and all did lock except the left rear. The master control on the driver door also would lock/unlock all doors except the left rear.
Thanks for the tip Randy. If it's a matter of a spring not being tight enough, why is it only rarely in cold weather that the symptoms occur, and not more frequently year-round?Thanks for the tip Randy. If it's a matter of a spring not being tight enough, why is it only rarely in cold weather that the symptoms occur, and not more frequently year-round?
Since you said it won't latch. It is the problem. I diagnose things. I tend to tear things apart after they have been replaced. Me, I just want to know why they died. With latches, they have to be drilled to get rivets out. Most times it is the springs in them. The other times it is rust. Between cold and hot. cold springs contract, hot they expand. Less pressure cold, more pressure hot. Not to mention the other worn out parts on it.Since you said it won't latch. It is the problem. I diagnose things. I tend to tear things apart after they have been replaced. Me, I just want to know why they died. With latches, they have to be drilled to get rivets out. Most times it is the springs in them. The other times it is rust. Between cold and hot. cold springs contract, hot they expand. Less pressure cold, more pressure hot. Not to mention the other worn out parts on it.
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Looks like dirt, moisture and others have combined to clog the linkage mechanisms of your lock/latch.
You would need a can of lubricant such as WD-40. Spray the lubricant on the lock/latch, and try to close the door. Repeat as necessary and watch what happens.
Once the latch begins to operate, dab some clean engine oil to the latch again, this wiould ensure long-life trouble-free operation.
The linkage has most likely come loose from the back side of the inside handle or the handle where the linkage attaches has broken. You must pull out the interior door handle to know for sure. Might be as simple as putting the metal rod (linkage) back into the handle and securing it.
Check this site out you need the passenger side door lock assembly kit. There is one posted for sale in the US on this site. just scroll down for the following information and link Used 1998 Toyota Avalon passenger door lock assembly
1998 Toyota Avalon
passenger door lock assembly this is the part that surrounds the lock driver side. Car color is green
cary, North Carolina 27513 The solenoid or actuator arm for the door lock assembly is probably not working to full spec.
With the carpet removed,hose down the windshield,side doors and rear doors.have someone inside to watch for water.If the windshield is leaking it may take some time to get to the rear.My van did the same and it was the front windshield.
Looks like the washer motor has failed. Remove the lower plactic trim under the washer bottle & check to see if the connector is plugged in to the motor. Also check to see if there is power to the motor with the switch depressed. If you have power, you need a washer motor. Common failure if the washer fluid freezes once. Ice gets inside the motor & expands, breaking the internal housing and ruins the motor.
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