Grrrr...Driver side door sensor?

Hey guys,
I've been trying to program a new remote (correct model/FCC id) for my 1999 4runner via the instructions in the forum below. I tried it about 200 times without success (even tried some of the camry/avalon ones) until I realized why I might not be having any luck. It appears that the sensor that reads the driver side door as "open" isn't functioning (it's not lighting up on the dash indicator) when the door is indeed open. The dash icon illuminates when the passenger doors are open, but not the driver door. I looked through the fuse description list in the manual, but didn't see anything that seemed like a probable culprit (if it even IS fuse related). Do you have any suggestions? I'm not even sure where the sensor is on the door/frame.

Thanks in advance,
-steve

interior light works with door? what you have on the door is a switch, but if the light comes on, the switch is good

Thanks for the reply.
The interior light hasn't worked for awhile. I exposed a rubber cover over a switch that appears to be broken. As soon as I opened the rubber cover, a piece of plastic, and a metal clip fell out. It appears that there's a bolt, and some plastic (along with a spring). Perhaps when my seatbelt buckle was caught in the door (and the door closed on it), the sensor mechanism was cracked? I'm figuring on calling toyota for a replacement piece. Any ideas concerning this?

Thanks,
-steve

So, as it turns out, replacing the plastic enclosure (with spring) made the door sensor work again (yay). I couldn't find a replacement part online, so I just snagged the one from my passenger side door for a fix to get the program code to work. Now, when I use the sequence in the thread below, the truck responds by locking and unlocking the doors once. The only problem that I have now is that the remote that I'm trying to program doesn't work (steps 6a and 6b). I press lock & unlock simultaneously, followed by lock alone, and the truck won't register the signal. I tried changing batteries in the remote, and still no luck. It is the correct FCC id and model number. Any more ideas? I'll repost the instructions that I'm following below for your reference:

(from Daffy Duck)

Runner Instructions

I have a 1999 4Runner and I followed the directions above (which I've copied below) with one exception. In step 8 -- I held the lock button instead of the unlock button in order for the directions to work.


Step 1 - open drivers side door and get in your vehicle.

Step 2 - put key completely into ignition,then pull out.

Step 3- with door open, lock and unlock 5 times on door console (ten clicks total).

Step 4 - close door then open door.

Step 5 - lock and unlock 5 times on door console (ten clicks total).

Step 6 - put key completely into ignition then turn to the on position then pull key out (you will now hear the door locks lock then unlock a couple of times)

Step 7 - now quickly press the lock and unlock buttons at the same time only for about a second.

Step 8 - then quickly press the lock button for just a second.

Step 9 - exit car and close the door

After you do this you should hear a beep then your lights will flash. This will indicate that your remote is programmed to your vehicle.