Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

Door latch/release action?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27, 2005 | 09:11 AM
  #1  
rhenriksen's Avatar
rhenriksen
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Door latch/release action?

Hi, I've reviewed the FAQ, and searched the archives, so... apologies if this issue is already covered.

My '98 supercab 4x2 3.0 Ranger is the only one I've driven, so no idea if this issue is normal or not. When you lift the exterior door handle, there's no movement of the door at all. Every other car/truck I've been in, the door pops out against the latch. I know I'm not imagining things, as everyone else who tried to get into the truck gets confused as well - they lift the handle, nothing happens, and they think I haven't unlocked the door.

Normal? Or is something broken here?

thanks in advance,

RNH
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2005 | 07:35 PM
  #2  
Ken00's Avatar
Ken00
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Welcome to FTE!!

Thats a new one for me and it's not normal. Off hand I don't know what the problem could be.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2005 | 09:59 PM
  #3  
rhenriksen's Avatar
rhenriksen
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Thanks, Ken. At least I know that I wouldn't be wasting my time swinging by the local dealer's service department. Hopefully someone else might chip in & save me the trip (and aggravation...)

RNH
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2005 | 05:27 PM
  #4  
Ken00's Avatar
Ken00
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Not quite as tired as yesterday, I'm think the latch kicks the door open by pushing against the post, maybe some minor lub in that area would help.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2005 | 05:54 PM
  #5  
rangerxlt02's Avatar
rangerxlt02
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Zimmerman, MN
Can you feel it engaging something inside the door when you lift up, meaning, if the door is locked and you lift up, no resistance, door unlocked, resistance on the handle itself.

Just an idea
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2005 | 08:36 PM
  #6  
rhenriksen's Avatar
rhenriksen
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I'll go outside & test that idea. IIRC, there's no feeling through the handle that you've engaged/disengaged anything whether the door is locked or unlocked. You just have to know to heave outward on the handle - which is awkward, given the paddle-style of the handle. brb
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2005 | 02:05 PM
  #7  
rhenriksen's Avatar
rhenriksen
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Well, stopped by the local dealer. Service advisor told me that there's usually a spring on the body that pushes outward on the door to provide that initial 'pop' outwards. But my particular truck doesn't have one. Okay...

So I swing by the showroom and check out a Ranger on the floor. It looks identical to mine w/respect to the absence of any kind of spring. Surprise, surprise, bad information from a service advisor.

Other than taking the door latch assembly out & cleaning/lubing the heck out of it, I don't know what else to do. Perhaps the rubber bumpers on the body could be replaced, maybe they've lost their resilience.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Mar 1, 2005 | 07:50 PM
  #8  
texan2004's Avatar
texan2004
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Your service advisor is dingbat. Avoid him and go back to the body shop. Someone there should be able to help out. I suspect you problem has to do with the latch mechanism on the door. I would be willing to bet that there is a broken or missing spring in the latch mechanism or in the linkage from the handle to the mechanism. Also may be a broken clip in the linkage that prevents the handle from completely opening the latch. Problem might also be the handle itself. Pull the door panel and have a look-see. Anytime I have encountered this type of problem, I've been able to figure it out once I can see everything operating. My guess is that it will become self evident once you can see what's going on. You may have to pull both door panels so you have a correctly functioning reference but I would start by just pulling the panel on the offending door.
 

Last edited by texan2004; Mar 1, 2005 at 07:52 PM.
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 1, 2005 | 08:50 PM
  #9  
Ken00's Avatar
Ken00
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
I just checked mine out and it doesn't really kick the door out, I open it from outside and just by holding my finger against the door and then lifting the outside handle I could unlatch the door without it moving outwards. Mines a 4 door and I know your doing it from inside. If your a 2 door I'll check it out on my std cab for you.
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2005 | 10:20 PM
  #10  
rhenriksen's Avatar
rhenriksen
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by texan2004
Your service advisor is dingbat. Avoid him and go back to the body shop.
, good call on the body shop vs the service advisor. I'd had the door panel off once before to check out an issue w. the lock assembly, I'll give it a try.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:56 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE