Power lock issue drivers side, 88 Camry
 

Another issue with my newly acquired 88 Camry wagon, the driver's side power lock (on door panel) only occasionally works. It almost always can unlock the doors, but almost never can I get it to lock them. The passenger side power lock works almost all the time.

When the drivers side power lock doesn't work I can hear a clicking sound coming from the center on the dash when I hit the switch. I have removed the drivers side switch console and cleaned it out with contact cleaner with no change.

Finally I have had odd behavior twice with the power locks on BOTH sides, when I hit the power lock inside it locked then immediately unlocked all doors. This happened once to driver's side then once to passenger side. I have no issues at all unlocking car from outside on either side, all doors will unlock.

Thanks in advance, and happy Easter everyone!

Have you checked the wiring between the drivers door and chassis?

The wiring flexes with door usage and can break.

I found a post here about issues with the power locks that suggested checking the connections and plugs near driver's left foot, so I reseated all the fuses and plugs that I found there and now driver side power lock works!

This forum is awesome and so are you and the contributing members :)

ETA: So it's still a bit sticky and doesn't always lock from driver's side unless I press unlock a few times, so maybe issue with switch and connectors both, and maybe door harness. Will check switch more closely and look at harness at door hinge since 35 year old car, duh ;)

There might be something on the net about cleaning dirty door lock switch contacts.

The past several days the drivers power lock has been working perfect, I think the contact cleaner and reseating plugs fixed it.

Just waiting on my manuals in the mail so I can replace the park/neutral switch and be able to start it with a key again! :)