What are power locks and power windows?
Power door locks are also sometimes referred to as central-locking or electric door locks. These types of locks allow you or the passenger to unlock or lock all of the doors in the vehicle simultaneously by simply flipping a switch or pressing a button in the vehicle.
How does power door locks work?
A power door lock actuator is typically positioned somewhere below the latch. Within the actuator, a tiny electrical motor turns a series of gears that drive a rack and pinion gear set that attaches to the actuator rod. The rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear motion, and the lock is opened.
How does the power window work on a Toyota Corolla?
The power window system in the Toyota Corolla is pretty straightforward. The window sits between rails and is powered by a window regulator motor. There are switches on the doors and electrical connections inside the doors. Lastly, there is a fuse that can blow (it controls the locks too).
How to replace power door lock on Toyota Corolla?
While removing the door panel, unhook the electronic connection to the power door lock mechanism on the door panel. Peel back the shroud covering the interior components. Locate the door actuator and removing it. Replace the unit and replacing the door panel using the reverse instructions.
What to do if your power window fails?
This is a pretty rare event, but over time the rails can become lose or completely fail. If this is the case, your window will be really loose. Check to see if this is the case by removing the door panel. In order to do this: Disconnect the negative power cable on the battery for safety.
What to do if all four doors fail to lock?
If all four doors fail to lock/unlock or if multiple doors fail to lock/unlock, the odds are that you have an electrical issue like a bad relay. The best thing to do in this case is to bring it in for service. Correctly diagnosing an electrical issue can be a nightmare.