So I have a mechanical question. I just went to go grab lunch with a buddy at work here and couldn't get the passenger door to unlock. It is very cold here today so I am crossing my fingers that it's just frozen. I'll find that out when I go park my car in my heated garage overnight. It won't unlock by power or manually (inside) or with the key (outside). The actual lock switch inside just won't flip back so it's like it's jammed (or frozen).

In the meantime, I'd like to know what can be done if I can't get it unlocked. To take the door panel off I need the door open I believe, is there any way to unlock it if there is something wrong with the release having disconnected from the rod? I'm slightly nervous that my passenger side is about to permanently require Dukes of Hazard-style entrance.

 

hey mikey, you may be able to get the door panel off, but it be a complete PITA. Chances are you wont even be able to remove it bc part of the panel is wedged between the door and hte dash when the door closes.

You can see two covers on the OS bar (one on the bottom and the top). Take the screws out to remove. There is also a screw behind the door handle inside the tray. That should be all the screws and afte that its just pop clips. If you can get a panel popper you may be able to pop it off and remove the door panel.

Good luck though, youre going to need it.

 

[QUOTE=MikeyCB,Nov 26 2007, 01:59 PM] So I have a mechanical question.

 

I am seriously relieved that this thread is now unnecessary! Somehow, without any rain or water, it had frozen. I can only think condensation, perhaps from taking it from a heated garage to 5 degree farenheit temp for a few hours.

Thanks for your help guys. I think I would've dropped the top, pulled the passenger seat, and attempted to pull the panel that way. I suspect it could've been done, but if I were about to do any damage I would've called the auto club to come snag the lock.

 

Are you sure you don't want to open the panel now that you can open the door?

You might have a latch that's a hair away from seizing... a little WD-40 on the inside might be a timely intervention.

 

That's a very good point.

I think I may get in there and have a look just to make sure. Some sort of heavier weight grease then WD40 might even work better to keep moisture away from some of the key parts that could cause this to occur again. I think I might do this on both doors because the last thing I feel like having to do is leave my car outside somewhere and wait for a chinook (see wikipedia) to show up and melt it.

Good idea!!