So I bought this '08 Toyota Highlander back in February. Excellent vehicle, great shape etc, I found out the child safety lock was stuck "on" on one of the doors, so I bought this whizz-bang tool kit for taking interiors apart. I finally got a chance to use it Wednesday, got the door apart, no problem.. replaced the lock mechanism ($254.) and put it back together and the window doesn't work. Took it apart again and found the window switch had a broken contact. Ordered a new switch, ($104.) popped it in yesterday and the window only goes down half way. Took the door apart again and found I'd ran the control cables inside the window bracket instead of out side. Took everything apart again, managed to get the cables ran properly, put it all back together and the door handle won't work. Took it all apart again, discovered I had kinked one of the cables, attempted to straighten it and noticed the sheathing broken off on the other cable. Trimmed that back as best I could, put it all back together again, window works, door handle works, lock does not. Ordered two new cables, ($22.99 each x 2) and am patiently waiting their arrival, when I will take the door apart again, remove the latch, re-install the new cables correctly this time, put it all back together again, and I assume will have a functioning door lock and power window.

At this point I could have taken it to the Toyota dealer, paid them to replace the lock, bought the whole service department doughnuts and coffee and still come out ahead money wise. I have to admit this has devolved into some Freudian act of self abuse at this point, which I am determined to see through. Specially since (as my wife pointed out) the grand kids hardly ever ride back there anyway so it didn't really matter if the child lock worked or not.

(I feel your pain)

Me too.

I suspect we've all had those little projects that grow exponentially.  Mine frequently involve the phrase "as long as I have this all apart, I should ..."

At our house, it's STDWR















































"Shit That Don't Work Right."

This is why I more and more go to a mechanic.   Something I COULD do for myself brings the question of how involved it will get, and I don’t have the strength or energy that I used to for doing stuff.  An affordable and honest mechanic is often worth the cost.

I love those projects where you create new swear words.

Yes, I know I've struck gold when my wife comes out and closes the garage doors to spare the neighbors.

SUCCESS!!!!! lock works, window works, door handle works, child safety lock works! Despite having ordered one of the wrong cables, fortunately the right cable was the one I actually needed. I just ordered both to be safe.

 I wound up having "A Moment" when the little plastic cover fell off the lock cable holder, but I calmly took the vapor barrier and speaker out and jammed my arm down inside the door and found it. The piece snapped back into place and I added a little electrical tape for security. Other than that it was a piece of cake since I'd done it so many times now. A decent tool kit for interior trim is worth it's weight in gold by the way!
 

This is why I more and more go to a mechanic.   Something I COULD do for myself brings the question of how involved it will get, and I don’t have the strength or energy that I used to for doing stuff.  An affordable and honest mechanic is often worth the cost.

What he said   

No spare parts leftover?  Heck, it's not right if you can't do it with less parts than the factory.