2kwiq

so we have a 99 rx3 and the driver's side door isn't acting right.

1. when you open it, the interior light does not go on (works fine with all the other doors)

2. the lock/unlock on the key fob doesn't lock/unlock the driver's door all the time. works fine for the others.

3. sometimes, just sometimes, the door ajar light will come on. but when you start driving, it'll turn off.

anyone ever have these symptoms and know a fix. i searched and there was mention of some TSB, but wonder if anyone ever dealt with this identical situation

Thanks

Lexmex

I have had number 2 pop up on me from time to time, even after replacing the battery in my master keys. Not sure what it is.

On number 3, you might want to take a look to see that the driver door is perfectly flush with the rest of the side of the vehicle. My uncle realized I was having some light issues since the door was slightly off the hinge. Sure it would open and close, plus lock, but it looked like it was slightly sticking out compared to the rest of the doors. Turns out that the point where the actual lock at the door connects to the hinge on the vehicle itself (when you open the door, look to your right and you should see a metal hinge about half way up). This needed to be raised slightly in my case and no more lights still being on. There is a narrow electrical gap where the ajar light might not come on, but the center dome light still stays on.

Number 3 and number 1 may be related.

2kwiq

thanks for the reply lexmex.

did you get in an accident of any sort before your door went haywire?

my door went goofy out of nowhere. no accident. no door removal. no stereo work. completely random.

Lexmex

No accident.

Doors and stuff can do that. My uncle and my cousin were fixing a Ford Windstar minivan that had a similar problem...turn out the wire had gotten loose inside.

efuji

Try disconnecting the battery for a while. It seems to reboot the door computer and may fix the problem.

lexasss

Thats a common problem with the earlier RX300's, the drivers side door actuators go bad...cant do anything but replace them. Not an impossible job to do on your own, a little bit of patience will pull you through it. The part doesnt come cheap either, about 300.00 from the dealer. Its next to impossible to find one used. lexuspartsonline.com will have a better price most likely. There a few DIY posts about removing the door panel and replacing in the forum, good luck.