Need help - driver door wont open
 

My driver door will not unlock. I've read the various threads and its either going to be the actuator or a couple of plastic pieces broke.

Does anyone have experience pulling the door panel off while the roor is in the closed position? Would you be willing to help out?

I just need to get the panel off and leave the door in the unlocked state while I figure out what parts to order.

I hate to say it but I was also thinking of dropping it off at the dealer....

i dont believe you can take the door panel off with the door closed unless you cut the panel up

^This - No way to remove the panel with the door closed - there's a screw that's hidden by the dash when your door is closed that holds the panel in place.

I'd take the car to a lock smith - they might be able to trigger the mechanism, assuming its the plastic pieces that are broken and not the actuator. When you unlock the car with the remote, do you hear any noise coming from the door?

Can you unlock the door from the outside?

It sounds like the actuator tries to unlock but it doesn't. I hear the unlocking clunk. Not sure if the actuator is bad or not.

Using the key on the exterior doesn't unlock it hence why it might be one (or both) plastic pieces. (The plastic pice by the actuator or the center one linking the rods together.)

Passenger side key tumbler works fine to unlock only the passenger side.

Noodels linked the thread about pulling the door panel apart with it closed. I know of three screws (2 in the handle and one for the lock area) and one plastic clip that is hidden by the dash. I'm still skeptical though.

can you use a slim jim to open it? with the wndow down you should be able to see easyier

Local PD or AAA or any towing company should be able to get you into the car especially since you can enter from the passenger side and drop the roof and windows for plenty of room to work.

-- Chuck