Bagolex

I'm happy to report that I got this fixed and at a much lower cost than I had feared. There is a guy here in Toronto that is very knowledgable when it comes to lexus. The name of his shop is "T-LEX" . He was the only mechanic that knew immediately what the issue was and even described how to fix it without having to rip off the panel and replace the lock like lexus was suggesting. He told me right away that this was a broken spring in the locking mechanism and when all was said and done this is exactly what it was. He was able to pick the lock (with window in down position) by positioning a wire in excatly the correct location. With the door open it was another 45 mins to take off the lock and replace the spring. Taking off the lock required some precision and care because of the plastic moulded parts. Apparently this happens often and with no warning and unless you are really familiar with the locking mechanism it's difficult to open. Anyway, 140 dollars later no need to enter from the drivers side and it sure beats the dealer estimate of $1000.

I got this fixed at a Garage in Scarborugh located close to Birchmount and Lawerence. It took me about 3 visits to different mechanics before the problem was accurately diagnosed. I suppose the intermittency of the problem presented some challenges. One guy had me remove the rear brake shoes thinking it might have been a sticky parking brake or defective braking system but of course the problem continued. Luckily, there was no major damage to the disk with the calliper seizing and overheating with friction but it did show signs of burning. I think the disk might be slightly warped because there is the very very mild wobble when braking especially more noticable at slow speeds on a smooth road. I can also feel the ever so slight vibration on the brake pedal.

did you fix this? How did you get to the lock mechanism. I'm having the exact problem with the front driver side.

how much did it cost to fix this. was is stuck in the locked position and unable to open from the outside as well as the inside? If so how were they able to get to the lock mechanism?

let me know if the above works. I am having the same problem. Just started 3 days ago. All the other doors work fine so now i'm entering from the passenger side. My problem is not cold related.

haven't updated this topic in some time. This issue was fixed. It turned out to be a bad calliper that would seize up intermittently and lock up my front right wheel. when this happens the car would vibrate. Replaced the calliper and problem solved

Hi I'm just reading your post today and amazingly I am having the exact problem with my lexus es 300 My issue is that the driver side lock will not disengage with the remote or from the outside or from the inside. In other words the door is stucked in the locked position and I have to enter from the passenger side. The problem is about 2 days old and my investigation so far seem to suggest a problem with the locking mechanism. I have contacted a lexus mechanic and he mentioned that he has seen this before and the problem is due to a broken spring. Apparently to fix this at the dealer may involve removing the door skin from the outside to get to the lock(since door can't be opened) and this will run me at least $1000. Canadian. I am hoping that is not the case. Have you had any luck in resolving this issue? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

The problem I described above is still ongoing though not as severe. I was told by a Lexus Mechanic that it is probably overuse of my parking break and sticking break shoes. I have since stopped using the hand break for a few weeks which seemed to resolve the problem somewhat but lately the shaking returned. I went back to mechanic and we disabled / removed the breakshoes because he (mechanic) was convinced that there was still some sticking being caused. This did not fix the problem. What I'm experiencing now is almost identical to what was described in this thread http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...7&hl=brakes by another member. Driving on the HWY there is a slight vibration which gets worse when breaks are applied. I've now discovered that my front right wheel is sticking and now I'm being told that the calliper needs to be replaced. Has anyone experienced anything similar. I would glady replace the callipers but my mechanic seem to keep missing the solution and each missed diagnosis gets more costly.

My car is the 1994 ES300 I beleive I am in need of suspension work..hopefully not too major. I've been living with an annoying knocking coming from the rear. It sounds like something loose..checked trunk and everything visible is secure. someone mentioned a loose strut or shock or a bolt that secures the strut. I'm not certain. Lately I am driving and suddenly the car starts to wobble with a similar feel of a flat tyre. Of course there is no flat. It feels like I'm driving on a warped rear wheel. If I pull aside then start again everything is fine until maybe the following day. This problem comes and goes..it's a scary feeling of wheel coming out of alighnemt. I need to have this looked at ASAP because I'm not sure to what degree this problem can escalate. Thanks in advance for any response to this matter.