Central locking does not work on 98 camry

something shorted
i would be checking the engine bay fuses
central locking will have a relay

are the other instruments working
and just bulbs out...blown bulbs

radio pulled out ?
was the battery disconnected before radio removed

some radios back that far
had an inline fuse or small fuse at the rear of the radio

you have blown a fuse so that is what you will be trying to find

Your problem is the interior light switch fuse has blown!which also serves the central locking system, located in the fuse box just above the drivers footwell (10amp) (well awkward). Replcace with one of the spare fuses supplied and all should be well. If your interior lights are not working (except boot light) this is a dead giveaway. Good luck.

Fuses: Fuse arrangement in fuse panel, behind instrument cluster, left
Fuse Arrangement In Fuse Panel

1 - Heated washer jets 5A 2 - Turn signals 10A 3 - Headlight washer (relay), illumination for glove
compartment, climate control, Automatic Transmission, instrument cluster 5A 4 - License plate light 5A 5 - Instrument cluster, seat heating, test connection
for cruise control, bulb monitor for auto-check display, Automatic Transmission display, switch
lighting, mirror switches and actuators, airbag
warning light, outside temperature indicator,
climate control 10A 6 - Central locking system 5A 7 - Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 10A 8 - Vacant 9 - Mirror heating 10A 10 - Vacant 11 - Cruise control (Automatic Transmission) 5A 12 - On board diagnostic system 10A 13 - Brake lights 10A 14 - Interior lights, reading lights, anti-theft alarm system, vanity mirror 10A 15 - Instrument cluster, power windows, climate control, automatic transmission 10A 16 - Anti-lock brake system (ABS), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) 5A 17 - Heated door locks 10A 18 - High-beam, right 10A 19 - High-beam, left 10A 20 - Low-beam, right 15A 21 - Low-beam, left 15A 22 - Side marker and tail light, right 5A 23 - Side marker and tail light, left 5A 24 - Wiper and washer system 25A 25 - Blower for heating, climate control 30A 26 - Rear window defogger, mirror heating 30A 27 - Rear window wiper 15A 28 - Fuel Pump 15A 29 - Engine timing 30A 30 - Sun roof 20A 31 - Tail lights, cruise control, automatic transmission 15A 32 - Engine timing 20A 33 - Cigarette lighter 15A 34 - Engine timing 15A 35 - Trailer recptacle 30A 36 - Fog lights 15A 37 - Radio 20A 38 - Luggage compartment light, central locking system 15A 39 - Emergency flasher system 15A 40 - Horn 25A 41 - Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 25A 42 - Vacant 43 - Vacant

First change rear light bulbs and clean the bulb sockets and re adjust the spring clips to the bulbs.
Vitally

Hi!

Since you've got a '96 I assume your #15 fuse is 10 amps and for the following components:

Audio System, Courtesy Lights, Door Open Light, Trunk Light, Glove Box Light, Remote Control Central Locking System, Oil Level Sensor, Seat Belt Reminder, Data Link Connector.

Turn ignition to OFF, turn off all interior lighting (by operating the selector inside the car), close all doors, wait about 20 seconds and insert a new fuse. If the fuse is blown immediately upon insertion my guess would be that you have an aftermarket audio system with faulty wiring or maybe something is wrong with you Data Link Connector. If that is not the case the problem might prove a little bit harder to find, and you'll definitely need a wiring diagram. Check this site:
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/volvo_workshop-850techdocs.shtml

If the fuse is not blown immediately upon insertion: Good, the components affiliated with the fuse can then be grouped by what ignition position they are active at (OFF, 1, 2) and tested individually.

POSITION OFF:
- Door open light, courtesy lights, glove box light, trunk light, remote central locking system.
Make sure the glove box light really is turned off when closing the glove box.
After that it's simply a matter of testing these components one after the other (with the ignition at position OFF) by opening/closing doors, turning on/off trunk light etc, checking the fuse between each component test.
Make sure that the interior lighting is turned off when you test the central locking, or else you might end up faulttracing central locking when the problem was with the interior lighting :)
(Since the interior lights can be set to turn on when the central locking is operated).

POSITION 1:
- Usually the audio system, unless it's an aftermarket system.
If the fuse breaks the second you turn the ignition to position 1 the audio system probably has faulty wiring.

POSITION 2:
If the fuse breaks the second you turn the ignition to position 2 one of these two components is the culprit:
- Seat belt reminder, oil level sensor.
Fasten all seat belts and try again with a new fuse.
If the fuse still breaks the oil level sensor is most likely the culprit.
If the fuse didn't break the seat belt reminder is the culprit. If so you can simply disconnect the seat belt reminder relay, ridding you of both your fuse problem and the annoying seat belt reminder. The relay is located behind the cover over the drivers feet (easily removed, just a couple of torx screws, no breakable interior clips).

The central locking relay and the alarm module are also found there, as well as some other electrical components.

The Data Link Connector is an unlikely culprit, but it's probably best if you unplugged it completely during testing.
If everything turns out ok with it disconnected you can test it at the end. (The Data Link Connector is the OBD II conncetor located by the coin holder, in front of the gearchange).

Good luck!

hello, there is a central locking fuse located in the fuse holder above the battery in the trunk. when you access the trim, look on the fuse description on the back side of the trim cover. I believe it may be either fuse #54 or #56. if the fuse is blown, you probably have a failed fuel flap actuator.

The bulb number that you need is #194.
Pull off the interior trim, and you will see the sockets for the bulbs.
Thanks for selecting FixYa to answer your question.

Hi Toyota Ed,
I can't see any black box under driver front seat. Will get husband to check when he gets home. This camry is late 1997, V6 auto, Model: MCV20 if that is of any help.??
jennyp

as a mechanic, i would suggest you first make sure all your doors are closing properly, if they are you may just need to pack your central locking system with powdered graphite, you can buy it from any good parts supplier, if that doesn't fix it you would be well advised to take it to your mechanic