I replaced the actuator motor on my driver door lock and when I put it all back together the little plastic piece that attaches the arm to the actuator for the door handles broke so now the rod is moving but the pieces aren’t together. The problem is the door is closed…fml. I have a whole new actuator on order but I can’t find a way to get the door open. I don’t want to have to cut away the interior panel. I searched the forums and tried what people said to no avail. Any other ideas??? 2001 lx470
Can’t open door!!
- Thread starter dcarcagno
- Start date
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I'm guessing you've tried this but couldn't you get the inner panel off even with the door closed? The screws are accessible, it would just be a matter of moving your seat all the way back to leverage the panel outwards towards the front of the car and pulling it the rest of the way off
- Thread starter
- #3
I can’t access the screws along the bottom of the door card or where it meets the dash.
Both the interior and exterior handles aren't working? I guess you could try a borescope camera and some kind of hook or pliers fished into the window trim edge.
Ahh I wasn't thinking about the ones hidden by the dash. You're basically stuck, that rod can be manually manipulated but you'll have to find a place (near the bottom middle of the door) where you can peel back the door panel enough to get a hanger or a long pick tool between it. You'd also have to get behind the vapor barrier though and that's what's going to be really tough
Good luck man I can feel my blood boiling just imagining trying to do that
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks. It’s infuriating. I know how to replace and fix everything but I just can’t get the door open. So annoying. Worst case I cut the door panel off and get a used one I guess. I’ve been wanting to replace it with one in better shape but it hurts to thing about.
Could you try breaking the clips off this?
Would mean only having to replace cheap door clips or worst case scenario that panel, instead of the entire door panel
Edit: nvm it appears that might not even give you access
- Thread starter
- #8
I might try anyway. Still better than cutting the whole door panel up.
- Thread starter
- #11
Hm that’s a good point. The part that broke is what connects the exterior handle rod to the actuator. But then why can’t I open using the interior handle?
Can you pull the speaker out and reach it with really long pliers?
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Try pulling the interior door handle cover off and make sure the cable that connects the interior handle to the lock assembly did not become disconnected when you worked on the door panel. I had that happen recently (or did not notice it was disconnected...) when I put my rear door panel back together so door would not open from the inside.
- Thread starter
- #14
Update. I got it open. There’s a metal piece that opens the latch from the inside, which fell off. And along with that both bars for the outside handle fell off. Perfect storm. Unfortunately I had to mangle the door card.