I have a 2001 4Runner, in which I cannot use the door locks from any control in the car or from any of the key fobs. I can, however, unlock from any of the above. The dealer wants to charge a lot to try to find the problem. Does anyone have any ideas on what might be causing the problem and maybe an easy fix? Thanks.

I'm also having a problem with the door locks on my 4Runner. Mine quit working after driving through rainstorms in my area for a week or so. The locks on mine will unlock with the remote and the door lock/unlock button, but will not lock using either the remote or the lock button. I had read somewhere else on the Internet where it is a electronic controller that needs to be replaced at around 500-600 dollars. I would also like to know if that is truely what is the problem and a reasonable fix like 4Run posted.

I am having the exact same problem. I wasn't looking forward to taking my car into the dealership and dropping $600 for a simple fix, so I thought that I would do it myself. Four beers and $20 later (had to buy a Haynes manual at the local Autozone) and I'm still clueless. The Haynes manual has an electrical schematic for the power door lock system on the Tacoma and Tundra T100, but no 4Runner. Even so, assuming it's similar to the Tacoma and the Tundra, it appears the problem has to be in the Door Lock Control Relay (as labeled in the Haynes manual). If anyone has any advice or solutions for our problem or knows where the Door Lock Control Relay IS in the car, I would greatly appreciate a reply. I'm assuming that it's on the driver's side around the fuse box below the steering column but I have yet to find anything with an appropriate number of wires coming out of it. Thanks in advance.

Same problem here too!!! I have a 2001 4runner Limited 2 wd, this problem started in October 07 very inconvenient. I traced the problem to the fuse box, there is a circuit board inside the fuse box, sounds like a relay ins't working properly. You can push on the lock switch to lock and you can hear a faint click, it is coming from this circuit board. When the problem first started I took it to the Toyota dealer body shop where I had some work done because I was involved in an accident (not my fault), they told me it was the drivers side actuator which I replaced for $90 Toyota wanted $400 to do this. Needless to say this didn't work. I do have an electronics background so I do beleive the problem is in the circuit board. I'm going to do some more testing before I buy the part, it's about $400. I will let u know how it turns out.

I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED... AUTO LOCKS DO NOT WORK....AUTO OPEN DOES. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE! RECALL ANYONE?

What are the odds of all of us having the exact same vehicle, with the exact same problem, right around the same time (all of us are posting within a year of each other). If this were a $100 fix, I would just accept it but $400-$600?

Has anyone else been having trouble with the locks for a long time? I have always had to be within 10 feet of the vehicle for them to work in the first place. I always thought it was the key/remote. Now I am thankful that I didn't spend $300 on a new one, only to find out it was a switch.

2000 Toyota 4Runner Door Lock Problem Sufferers,

I am having the same problem. This is what I know at this point. The first time it happened several weeks ago, I put down all the windows and put them back up and the locks started woring again. They failed about a week ago and I disconnected the battery and reconnected it. I could then lock the doors with the console or key FOB. This lasted for about a week. I did it again last evening and it did not fix the problem this time. This week, I called the service department of two dealerships to see if there was a trend going on. They just asked me to bring it in. When reading these messages, I see there is an ongoing problem with no solution provided for others to follow. If anyone know what to do, please let us all know.

Thank you, Scott Douglas

My wifes Avalon just started NOT locking the drivers door with either the FOB or the switch. The ket works fine. I looked at the schematic and removed door panel-it appears the actuator does not have correct power at time sto lock door (does not move rod far enough). Any suggestions? I am looking at a new actuator for now (the motor and switch check correct electrically.

Sounds like a computer problem to me, especially if both door buttons are doing the same thing. Rich

Are you saying you cannot unlock the doors, but they will lock? If that is the case, sounds like the child safety switch is activated...

It can be unlocked by remote control or by buttons from the doors. But it cannot be automatically locked. I have to manually push down every single "knob" on each door and using key to lock the back door.

Sounds to me like it is a computer issue. Anybody know exactly what module controls the door locking and unlocking? If your truck is still under warranty I'd take it in to the dealer. Good luck. Ryan

My truck is out of warranty. Toyota dealer will charge $75.00 to do the dignostic. All relays and fuses at the fuse box located near the battery are OK. I am looking for location of the lock control module or relays. Paul

I have found a ridiculous solution for this door lock issue. As many people have mentioned, it does involve the control panel under the driver side dash. I noticed that if I pushed the control panel/fusebox in while working the key fob and/or door lock switch, IT WORKED! So, my silly solution was to insert a t-ball (regulation size) between the fusebox/control panel and the paneling closest to the driver on the top side of the fusebox. IT WORKS!!

Glad I didn't spend $500 for Toyota dealer to fix.

Hope my son doesn't miss his t-ball!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)