Questions and Answers

Toyota Camry Has A Door Full Of Water Q. I recently acquired a 1993 Toyota Camry. When I picked up the car, it was a gift, it was after a rainstorm. I heard sloshing inside the driver's door when I braked, so I realized that there must be a leak somewhere. I should have drained the door by drilling a hole in the bottom, but I didn't do that. I just hoped the water would leak out itself.

Boy, was that a mistake! After a few days, the electric lock stopped working to lock the door. I was able to unlock it fine, but not to lock it. Fine, I thought, when the water dries out it will be better. In the meantime I sealed the opening with duct tape, until I can get a new gasket.

Well, soon the door wouldn't unlock electrically either. That was a real problem, but thankfully after a few days, it started unlocking again. But the door still doesn't lock. I have to use either the switch or the passenger side lock to lock the doors centrally.

What should I do? Should I take off the door panels and try to air-dry the mechanism? How can I get a diagram of the door so that I'll know what I'm doing? Is the mechanism rusted beyond repair, and should I just try to find a door somewhere?

Thanks for your help,
Menagen

A. That seal on the window seal is not supposed to keep water from getting inside the door. It is designed to keep a lot of water from getting inside the door.

There is a large piece of plastic, called the Service Hole Cover, that protects the inner workings and the door panel protect from water intrusion.

There are at least two holes in the bottom of the door to allow water to drain out. Obviously yours are clogged. You can feel along the bottom of the door, or lay on your back and look, to locate them. Use any suitable tool to pull out whatever is blocking the drains and that's all you need to do.

Replacing the whole door is the most expensive way of fixing the problem. The Door Lock Actuator may come back in a few days or it may not. I would give it a couple of weeks to see what happens. Parking the car in the sun with the window open just a hair to allow ventilation will facilitate the drying out process.

If it still won't work, drop me another e-mail and I'll help you with the door panel.