Can't open driver door
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Can't open driver door
Is ther any way to manually open the drivers door. Both inside and outside door handles not working. Need to get door open to remove inner panel and see what needs to be fixed. Thanks in advance
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 9
From: Eddy Texas
Make sure the door is unlocked, with the key if your switch isn't working.
Go in from the passenger side and roll down the drivers window. Now, with a flashlught, look down in side the door at the latch assy. You will see an orange plastic retainer about 1/2" sq at the front of the latch assy. It holds the rod from the outside handle, onto the latch. I measured it on my coupe and it is 13" down from the w/strip on top of the door. Get a thin dowel, or metal rod at least that long, and push the orange retainer down to open the door. I cut the bottom portion of a thick plastic coathanger off, and it was just long and stiff enough. Make sure the door is unlocked or it won't work.
Go in from the passenger side and roll down the drivers window. Now, with a flashlught, look down in side the door at the latch assy. You will see an orange plastic retainer about 1/2" sq at the front of the latch assy. It holds the rod from the outside handle, onto the latch. I measured it on my coupe and it is 13" down from the w/strip on top of the door. Get a thin dowel, or metal rod at least that long, and push the orange retainer down to open the door. I cut the bottom portion of a thick plastic coathanger off, and it was just long and stiff enough. Make sure the door is unlocked or it won't work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
For the door handle not to work, wouldn't the actuator rod have had to come off of the latch assembly? Just curious why neither manual handles would not open the door, unless the door was locked.
