Thanks a lot, this video helped me with disassembly. I found the motor on Ebay for $6.50 . Its so easy took about an hour to do. The dealer wants $500-600 to do this job. Just freaking ridiculous. If you want to replace just the motor search E-bay for (Mabuchi Nichibo Flat Shaft Standard Length Motor FC-280PC-22125 ) there are several shaft sizes and styles so make sure you order the right one. My 05 highlander was the FLAT standard or "short shaft" 10mm. Something that might help after putting the door latch Assembly back. The window track that was moved out of the way has a metal case that can slide up and down on the rubber part. There is a foot on it at the top that has to slide into a shoe that's hard to see. For it to go high enough to get the bolt back in at the bottom. You just have to line it up where it should be and wiggle/push it up. Awesome savings of 593.50 for about an hour of your time. Thanks for taking the time to share!

7 years later and this helped me replace mine on my 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid!. Thank you so much 😎👍🏼

8 years later and this helped me replace mine on my 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (with $193k miles)! Thank you so much 😎👍🏼(from Oakland, California)

My experience: Once you open the clamshell piece, clean all of the contacts with alcohol/sandpaper including the motor contacts, then after snapping it back together I found that it just pops back open. I used 2 of the holes in the clamshell that were drilled half way through and drilled them all the way through and then ran a screw through it. No glue or tie wraps, Like new. This was great video and saved me$$$

You were the only one showing from inside the door how to remove the arm rods. You have saved my day, thank you!!

Thank you so much Dudley-Do-Right! I tried to replace the motor in my 2007 Highlander front passenger door before watching this video, I watched a video on how to replace the rear door assembly. I battled the metal bars for hours as I thought the bar with the yellow connector must have had a compression clamp keeping it in the door and could not get it loose! Your tip about removing the rubber grommet from the door and pushing it out with a screwdriver just made my day!! Motor replacement in less than 45min, and it works!!! Thank you again from your fellow Georgian!

Great video but you absolutely must re-glue the case back together in order to hold the gears tightly together when replacing just the motor. The motor assembly case may not snap together as tightly the second time. A zip tie doesn't cut it. Super glue for plastic is best. If not tight it will just make a buzzing noise as the gears slip. It really is a $5 fix. It took me three tries to figure this out Thanks for the great video..

Awesome video... used it to fix my 05 Highlander today. It was easy following the instruction. Bought the actuator at carparts for $30 including shipping. I didn't know so I bought a motor ($7 on Amazon) but the actuator came with a motor. Now, I have another set: I replaced my old actuator with my new extra motor and keeping it as spare. Thanks for the instruction vid.

This is one of the most clear and instructive vids I've ever used. Worked like a charm. Thank you and your lovely Sate of Georgia!

Awesome! Thanks for the help. Your video guided me through something I couldn't have done without your assistance. As I got into the door, I discovered that the window track runs in front of the actuator, so had to be careful when I installed the new part to make sure in fit back in behind the window track. Your instructions, including cautionary comments about being careful at certain points, were spot on. Thanks!

Best Video i could find on replacing my door lock actuator, on my 2002 Toyota Rav4!!!!!! Your trick on getting the rod out with the yellow clip is Priceless!!!! Every other video they take the door handle and lock off. Changed it out in under 1 hour. Thank you for posting. (FYI, I had to reprogram remote to get it to work with aftermarket actuator.)

Thank you so much! This was very helpful in my successful replacement of the actuator motor (~$6 on ebay) on my '05 Highlander. The part about how to disconnect the rods from the actuator to the lock mechanism was especially helpful.

Thank you for the great instructional video. I was stuck getting the rods out of the plastic clips. Your video helped me figure that out. I used the Rav4 part too and it works great!

Thanks for posting! Just finished the job and saved me a whole lot of money in labor!

Thank you Dudley! I watch the video once and was able to complete the job in about 30 minutes with the part in hand. I wished I watched your video first - I might have tried just the motor, but instead the part from Amazon worked great.

Thanks for the video. Without it I would have spent hours trying to figure out how to access the door lock actuator. It also helped a lot to know what part to have pre-ordered and have on hand once the old one was removed. Great job!

Thanks a lot. Just finished my repair last night. I replaced the actuator I bought from Amazon for $18.

Hello....Just finished getting my 2005 Highlander power lock going again. The 2000-2005 Rav 4 replacement does work perfect for the Highlander. Tnx again...would have been lost without your video!! Really appreciate it.

Great video - I would not have attempted the job without it. Even with the instructions it took me several attempts to get it working. Many thanks for your effort. As others have noted, you saved me a substantial amount of money. I am having one minor problem. After completing the installation on the driver's side, my door will lock and unlock fine. However, if I close the door a couple of times, the lock eventually works it way closed. In other words, it locks itself automatically. This could be a problem if I (or more likely my wife since it is her car) gets out of the vehicle and closes the door with the key inside. I think I may have a problem with one of the rods or cables being slightly out of adjustment. I still need to install the lock on the passenger side, so I'm going to look closely at how everything is lined up and see if I can determine if anything is out of order on the driver's side. If anyone has had a similar issue, please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks

Excellent video Dudley. Appreciate it. Have not had to do the lock actuator on my 180k 2004 highlander yet but have done the window regulators. I expect I will have to revisit this again some day when my fails too! Nice to see other Highlander videos out there. Again great video - thanks

Thank you for posting this excellent video. The instructions are identical for the 2007 Toyota Highlander. I was able to fix our door lock with no issues.

hanks for the video! It saved me tons of money $$$$ I own a 2000 Tundra Limited Edition and followed along as much as it applied to what I was doing and improvised what I found that was not the same as your video. One thing I found that I did not see in any video was the removal of the metal guide for the rubber window seal (one nut on the face of the door and a bolt on the bottom side of the door) really opened up the space needed to get the locking mechanism out. I did not get all the way to the electric motor, (I bought a relacement door lock actuator (from Amazon)) and replaced the whole thing start to finish in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. a mechanic told me that my passenger side will probably break down soon, but I will have figured out (using the actuator that I just removed) how to it take apart and hopefully buy the $6 dollar motor. I really appreciate the time that you (and other) videographers took to help us Again, Much Mahalo (Thanks) for the help Aloha from Hawaii Roy Roo27

Thanks a lot buddy ,it's better for me to have a clear view about it ...so thank you from Greece.

I'm leery of replacing the Actuator again, after the one I bought for $15 failed in 6 months. Read all the comments on the part you are buying, the ones on eBay and Amazon that go for $14-$30 all have reviews indicated they failed in less than a year. I saved the original actuator and will replace the motor. What grinds my gears is that the OEM Aisin part has a freaking chinese motor in it. no wonder it failed. But very good tips in these comments as far as screwing the clamshell back with two new screws and using superglue. There is no doubt that if it comes apart, the contacts will not engage and you will be doing the job again. I'm just disappointed in the short longevity of the aftermarket parts, but at least I know how to do the job quickly.

Amazing... you saved me over $300.00. Your instructions were clear and I was able to change just the motor I got off eBay! Now my driver door lock works better than all the other locks... I'm going to buy extra motors!

Thank you 1000x for this video. I was able to fix my window on my own without calling my dad. Thank you!

Thank you very much. I used you video to walk me through the replacement but afterwards it would only unlock partially. I had to finish pushing inside lock with my finger. So I removed entire unit again and sprayed all the moving mechanisms with silocone lubricant and now it works perfectly. That's possibly what caused the 1st motor to give up. Thanks again for your time. May God bless you.

Thanks for posting this video. I watched it several times before & during replacement of the actuator. BTW, if you get any of that black, gooey stuff on your hands, clothes or upholstery, paintthinner (mineral spirits) will take it right off.

greatest video on this procedure i have seen so far and i have my actuator on order and will give it a shot thanks

Changing my 2006 Highlander power door actuator made easy after I watching this. Toyota Service Center they quote me $800. I saved a lot of money, I only bought motor actuator from ebay for just $6 :-)

Very helpful and nicely recorded. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your helpful video! I had hard time popping out the rod, so I ended up removing a door handle (only two screws) so that I could remove the assembly without popping out the rod, but I got it done! Again, thanks!

your video is the best that I have viewed…… thank you!

Thanks for the video! I have successfully completed the $6 repair on a Toyota Avalon. To help anyone else, the 2001 Toyo Avalon (and probably all 2000-04 models) uses a round shaft like the one in this video and has a 10 MM shaft. Search ebay for "FC-280PC-22125 (ROUND SHAFT)" the motor that works for Avalon models measure roughly Shaft (ROUND) 2mm diameter x 10mm length / Canister: 24.2mm Diameter (18.3mm on flat sides) x 30.5mm long Overall Length: 45.0mm (Tip to Tail)

Thank you for the great video. I just finished replacing the front passenger door lock actuator on my wife's 2007 Toyota Highlander.

Thank you! I fixed the power door lock on my 2006 Toyota Highlander after watching your video.

This certainly made my day easier. Thanks!

great video. thanks for making these

Thank you so very much, just changed my actuator and door lock works perfectly. That yellow door pull assembly gave me a scare when disassembling but luckily I was able to get everything done without any other complications. Your link to the Amazon equal product was right on point. Hoping it lasts for a good length of time!

Great detailed instruction. Thanks!

Thanks love this also great teacher about the door handle rods very clear Great help Thanks for showing Sir

Thanks. Saved me a couple Hundred bucks!

Very helpful video! Keep it up.

Ayy you showed me... thanks for your vid

Hell yeah good video. Good explanation

Very helpful video. Thank you!

Great video!!! Thanks a bunch.

great video.

Thanks for the info, my 04 Sequoia passenger door only mover half way with the power lock... the door doesn’t lock unless I physically push the inside lever... guess I’ll try the motor first.

getting the actuator into the top hole is key just like you said, thanks

Thank you for your video!

Damn, this has more steps than doing a timing belt replacement.

I used the 2005 Rav 4 latch actuator from amazon. Part number is 69120-42080. Hardest part was getting the rod off the yellow plastic. Your advice on remove the rubber gasket and using a screwdriver worked for me. Had to pull the handle so I can align the screwdriver with the rod, I can see why you couldn't film it. I used wd40 and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Took some work but it eventually popped out. Lock working great now. One side effect of using the rav4 actuator is that the door lock using the key doesn't work as it should. Using the key to lock use to lock all the doors, now it just lock only the driver door which i repaired. The driver door does lock and unlock and in fact, if I double unlock with the key, all the doors unlock. But key locking use to lock everything and shuts all the lights off, now it just lock the driver door and lights stay on. Using the remote key fob to lock and unlock works as it should. Anybody else have this issue?

Thanks for the helpful video! I see that you substituted a RAV4 actuator for the faulty one on your 2005 Highlander, but I'm wondering if anyone knows whether the RAV4 actuator can still be substituted on more recent model Highlanders (I have a 2012 Highlander)?

Thank you

I have the same model/year. Couple days ago i went to lock it with the keyfob and there was a loud beep from the hood and then after that the keyfob is unresponsive. Also the key itself won't work either and i have to now unlock from the passenger side. Could i have a faulty actuator too?

Great Video! Just finished my drivers side door and will order part for passenger side. When he says be careful not to break the yellow clip listen. I didn't and had to run to the parts store.

Hi. Was on Amazon looking for an actuator. Seems like I can find one for the Front Driver side yet I need one for the Front Passenger side. Is there a difference between the driver and passenger side actuator?

"Installation is a reversal of taking it all apart."

Is there any way to access the broken lock if the door is locked closed?

Be careful with the yellow rod if you break it off the actuator you will have to get a new actuator. Mine broke off on my camery and the replacement parts is $300 +. I'm going to try putting a manual lock actuator on $35 in place of the power door lock one.

The actuator is out of stock and vendor Amazon say it's uncertain when it will have more. Does anyone have another source? Thanks. Ned

Those star shaped drivers are actually Torx bits

Mr. Dudley, thanks very much for the detailed and very helpful video. I just completed the repair, but after a couple of actuations, it stopped working. I did tape the clamshell back holding motor, but suspect it rattled loose. The clamshell does not fit as tightly as original and which took me a bit to loosen up. I have not confirmed yet (my back is still a little sore from the work!), would you agree this is the likely issue (as opposed to a burnt out motor, which I did not hear any grinding). Thanks again!

Great video! I'm trying to do the exact same thing, but with the Driver's side rear door on my 2004 Highlander. I also can't find just the actuator anywhere (just $300 full assemblies). Do you know if the rear Rav4 actuators are interchangeable with the Highlander or just the front? I can find Highlander front actuators, but I don't know why rear aren't available.

nice video n thk u for sharing..could you share what was your door synthom that made u conclude the fault was with the motor.

Thanks for the video, it really helped me to replace our driver's side door actuator which had stopped working reliably. However, ever since then the door lock occasionally goes crazy, rapidly clicking like 5-10 times in a row. Doesn't always happen, but when it does it's usually when the door is just closed or we just hit a button on the remote. Any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks for the video. I had my actuator open and added power. THe motor spun for both lock and unlock. When I snapped the case back together and pressed unlock/lock but the arms on the top of the actuator didn't move. I can feel the motor inside doing something but the arms on the top that connect to the lock don't move. Is that normal or should the be moving?

Thank you very much for uploading this helpful video. I have a question. I'm really struggling to detach the iron liner from the yellow plastice... OTL Could you please explain more or uploade how to do it. I will really appreciate if you let me know. I need the info ASAP. Thanks!!!

Hello, i loved your video, trying to buy the door lock actuator for my 2005 highlander, i clicked on the link that u left here but its not showing it on ebay anymore :( u replaced yours with a rav4 actuator? Nice.

Thanks Dudley for the great video. Do you have the part number for just the motor? I think I will start with it first. Thanks.

I have a 2008 Toyota Rav 4 with 3 failing door actuator's. I am replacing the tailgate one today. Can you tell me the part number and where you purchased the part that you replaced in this video? I am only able to find the actuator with the lock assembly attached. Thank you.

great video. is there a left and right actuators or are they all the same? thanks in advance.

Hey! When I try to use my key fob for my 2002 Highlander to unlock my car it doesn't work. I have replaced the battery and still doesn't work. Do you think it's an electrical problem with my power door locks?

Dudley, when you had problems with the automatic door lock could you use the key? I have the auto issue plus the key won't work either.

It says "links to motor at top of comment section below" but Im not seeing the link, can you specify pls? Thanks.

Hello...great video !! I noticed you said this was a 2007 rav4 actuator...Is that diff then a 2005 RAV4 actuator. I have a 2005 highlander and found a 2005 rav 4 actuator but not sure since you said you used a 2007...if you can clarify would really help. Thanks again for the great instructions!!

A maybe I missed it, but what was the original problem / symptom ?

What about the passenger side door is it the same for both?

Any help!i have a 2005 highlander that don't lock the driver door and everything seems to be working great I did everything in the video"change the whole piece" everything went smooth but once i finish i locked my car and the driver door stills open! I thought this was going to fix my problem 😔 Any help I will appreciate it, i can't use my car because the driver door won't close, not even manually.

Would the same actuator work for both left and right?

i bought a $15 unit from ebay.....for some reason the travel of the lock unlock lever was lessen....if i unlock it using the remote, it will lock by itself as soon as i close the door......but if i unlock it manually the lever will move back a bit further and it will stay unlocked when i close the door....i might just transfer the electric motor to the original unit

My front passenger door lock don't work during summer and works in the winter and the funniest part was it's been two years since 'twas acting weird. I just don't get it. hehehe

Very helpful video. Thank you!