Cannot open 2nd row door (1 Viewer)

[Ccrand88]

Hi all,

I am unable to open the 2nd row driver side door on my 96 and am at a bit of a loss. I followed an old post and got to the point where I could directly move the pin to unlock the latch as described here:

Had this same issue and thought I would post up my experience.

I was able to get the door open without destroying anything.

I remove the following:
Seat belt B pillar trim
Rear door sill trim panel (the one that goes over the wheel well)
Door card (use a trim prying tool or you will tear the particle board)
Outside door handle (use a short 10mm wrench)
All linkage rods

I also removed the anti-slimjim plastic cover.

Now, you can get a screwdriver in there and pry down directly on the latch actuation pin, and at the same time, push/pull the door in and out. Doing this, I was able to get the door to unlatch.

How to open the door with a screwdriver

• anothernord
• Jul 14, 2018

Now you can get the lock assembly out and probably find this:

Melted rear door spring

• anothernord
• Jul 14, 2018

The spring was half-melted into the plastic housing and couldn't do it's job. I freed the spring, filed the plastic flat, then cut a small shim from an old Tupperware container similar to the one shown in this thread. I installed that with new grease then put it back in. As good as new!

However when trying to pry down on the latch pin the door still wouldn't budge. Is it possible that I am missing something on the way like the latch still being in a locked state?

Has anyone else been able to solve a similar issue? Is it possible that the "melting plastic" described in other posts has frozen the whole thing shut? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks