Hey everybody,

I found this site looking for an answer for my door handle problem. And, since I didn't find the answer here, decided to post it after I figured it out.

The problem started when I could not unlock my drivers side door on my 98 Explorer Sport with my key, or by using the electrical door-unlock button. It still locked but would not unlock. At first, I could unlock it by using the inside handle, but eventually, that did not work either. The passenger side and rear doors still worked fine. Also, when I tried to unlock the door, I could see the plunger attempt to move, but would not quite get to the point of being unlocked. Only after working with the key and electrical button for quite a while was I able to get the door unlocked.

I pulled the door panel off and spent a long time studying the mechanizm. I noticed that the springs on the door handle were both broken and was not applying tension on the handle. This caused a rod to sit in the way of another rod and kept the door from unlocking. Next thing I had to do was find a new handle and of the same color as my Sport. Jeeezzzz..........then it occured to me that you don't have to have springs on the handle to keep tension on the rod. You can use a spring and connect it to the rod to keep it pulled up and simulate the same thing as having springs on the handle. I bought a spring from ACE Hardware, part number H540210, $1.50. I attached it to the bottom of the rod that is attached to the exterior door handle, it has a white plastic piece on the bottom and has been screwed on the rod, the other end I hooked into an indention which is between the rivets on the inside, of the exterior door handle. Yehaa........ the amount of tension on the rod, and handle are very similar to the original one, and the unlocking process works fine.

I hope this helps

Renee

 

Thanks Renee, too late for me though. That did happen to my 1999 Ford Explorer 2 door (driver side). I broke my handle this morning trying to minipulate the lock from the outside (it has worked numerous times in the past).
Do you have any suggestions as where to buy a new handle with plastic pieces in tact? I would appreciate any suggestions, I know they are really costly at the dealer, but I am pretty crafty and can figure my way around a vehicle (as long as it's not the engine). Thanks all.

 

Thanks Renee. I found the same situation in my 99 4 door Explorer. I mocked up your fix with a rubber band and it works. Now I am on my way to Ace to get a spring.

Glenn

 

I might be able to help.

Ed