1998 Camry XLE Signals and Door Locks Clicking

[CamryGuy]

About 5 months ago my taillight on my Camry went out. I replaced it and the fast blinking quit. Recently the fast blinking of the signal (only when I turn right and when I have my headlights on). I got out of the car and checked all of the lights and all seem to be functioning. Although they are flashing rapidly. When I turn my headlights off, the signals function fine and not rapidly. Would a bad connection cause this? Where would the bad connection be suspected to be?

Secondly, while waiting at the store the other day, a friend of mine opened the passenger door, to which the locks started clicking (opening) over and over. About every 1 or 2 seconds on a regular interval the door locks kept opening. This was during the day time, while just sitting there in park with the car running. I have recreated this again but it does not happen all of the time. I am unable to determine what the variable is that causes this. Maybe just a loose connection somewhere? This only has happened with the passenger front door.

Any assistance with these would be greatly appreciated.

[Daniel M. Dreifus]

For the locks clicking with the passenger door open, try checking the wiring harness near the hinge.

[CamryGuy]

Daniel - I checked the wiring harness by the door, and the boot over the wiring, appeared good. I gave it a snug wiggle (thinking the connections may be dirty and tried to create a better connection). So, I guess I will wait to see if the door locks keep acting up.

Regarding the quick flashing of the signal when only the headlights are on and all lights are working. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks Daniel for the suggestion, and to everyone else in advance.

[CamryGuy]

Door locks still locking/unlocking.....?? Any ideas??

I did fix the quick turn signal flashing though. My turnsignal when turning right worked fine but when I turned my running lights on or all the way to headlights, the flashing was very rapid (all lights worked, even the signal). So I decided to check all of the bulbs on the right side, for connection. The front right has a swing out assembly to access the bulb from the back of the lense. Do it yourselfers beware if you are using the Haynes manual as the diagram only illustrates the pin on top of the assembly that needs to be removed. After removing this, I tried to rotate the assembly and thinking it was "stuck" since it had not been moved in 6 years, I forced the assembly to end up breaking a clip on the back side which recieved a tongue from the assembly. As the assembly is rotated back into the driving position, a tongue with a groove is recieved by a clip which the two then "click". Good only Haynes makes no reference and shows nothing in the diagram. A little industrial strength glue and I think I have it. Still very disappointing though. When I did remove the bulb, I could see 2 contact points from the bulb which I suspect had condensation or something which were not making the best contact. I scraped the contacts points to clean them up, replaced the same bulb, and it works fine now.

Darn door still unlocks and keeps unlocking when the passenger door is opened though. Wiring harness looks ok (the boot is on it and the boot is good). I did not remove the boot. Should I?

[geodiggr]

Camry Guy,

I haven't found a solution yet. I did the same as you with the boot in the door. I'm not really sure where to turn next. I have thought about taking it to an electrical shop and have them look at it if it becomes worse. If I get froggy I'll pull the switch covers off and inspect the PL assemblies for any signs of a loose connection. For what it's worth, mine only does it when the key is in the ignition...running or not, but as long as contact is made the problem will occur. That leads me to believe the problem is great than what I initially believed.

I will keep you posted if I turn something up!

Thanks,
Rick

[CamryGuy]

I troubleshooted the door locks a little more. Through other posts I have read, the Driver Door wiring is suspected to be a cause of the passenger door locking and unlocking. The door pin (which makes the dome light go on) also was suggested to be the cause but I question that, as the wiring to the light should be seperate from the locks. While the key was in the ignition and the car not running, I left the passenger door shut and repeatedly opened and closed the driver door. Not once did the locks activate. I then left the driver door closed and then open and closed the passenger door. Out of 20 times the locks activated 9 times. I am really hesitant on tearing into a door (and which one?).

[CamryGuy]

The door locks are locking and unlocking still (only when the front passenger door is opened though). I am tempted to weld the passenger door shut. Has anyone else had experience with this and what was done?

[CamryGuy]

I finally stopped at a Toyota Service Center. The first person I spoke with was so preoccupied with the female co-worker and was giving me the "oh really, how interesting" when he was checking her out. He asked me "could you explain that again" to which I replied "are you with me now?!", fortunately he took me over to someone who knew something. I mention this because there are some knowledgable people out there, so keep trying if you get an idiot on the first try. The gentlemen I finally spoke with said "Yes the wiring harness is almost most definitely the cause." Without leading him, I futhered my questions for where in the wiring would the problem be, he replied "The most common place is in the driver side door. If the wire cannot be foudn there, then his second choice would be the passenger door. As all of the locks are wired through all of the 4 doors, it could be in any of them, but the door used most often is usually the best choice." I then asked him if "I being somewhat mechanically inclined could do it?" He replied "If you are patient". Then he said "If you do it and find the wire problem, you will have to splice in a good piece, and leave it a little long. Also make sure to solder the ends."
So, that is what I know. Anyone find the problem? And if so, where was it?

[upsetaboutit]

I'm having the same probleml with my '98 Camry XLE with the door clicking and wish I could offer you some solution but after taking it to 3 different dealerships, they still are stumped! One suggested I have a remote starter taken out thinking that might be causing the problem, but after doing that it still is acting up. But I have more than that going on (the brain in this car is sick) and that is the alarm goes off in my garage after i have been in the house for 15 or 20 mins. I think the two problems are connected and for what it is worth, my niece who owns a body-shop says it's probably a door actuator (?). i know it has been a year since you posted. Have you had any luck finding a solution?

[csaxon]

DOOR SENSOR SPRING
If you pull up on the rubber boot that is covering it from the bottom, you will see one 10MM bolt. Remove that bolt and pull the assembly out an inch or so. That should give you enough room to work on it. If you see corrosion on the back side of the spring, clean it with a wire brush. Then put some dielectric grease on it to stop the corrosion from returning. Clean the bolt threads and the underside of the bolt head of any rust. The bolt acts to ground the switch against the body of the car. Put the assembly back in and insert and tighten down the bolt. It will probably work fine now. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes