Explorer door lock trouble
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Explorer door lock trouble
I have a 99 Explorer Sport with power locks. A while back, the outside driver's side handle became loose, and it is impossible to unlock it from outside. (If unlocked, it opens fine.) If I must lock it, I have to get in from the passenger side. To get out, I have to simultaneously push the unlock botton and pull the door handle about 5-8 times.
I have torn down the door panel, access is bad and visibility is nonexistant. There is what feels like a plastic ring with wire attached to it moving around on the back of the door handle. I assume this is the problem, but don't know what to do. I can't figure out how to remove the door handle to get a look, it doesn't seem to be attached with screws.
My situation is getting critical, the rod from the inside handle to the door mechanism is bending from the effort of forceful unlocking. If I don't fix it (or get it fixed) soon, I may no longer be able to open the door at all.
The lock actualle works sometimes when the door panel is off, but I can't leave it off because of the power wires. I'd hate to put it in the shop for this, can anybody help me out?
I have torn down the door panel, access is bad and visibility is nonexistant. There is what feels like a plastic ring with wire attached to it moving around on the back of the door handle. I assume this is the problem, but don't know what to do. I can't figure out how to remove the door handle to get a look, it doesn't seem to be attached with screws.
My situation is getting critical, the rod from the inside handle to the door mechanism is bending from the effort of forceful unlocking. If I don't fix it (or get it fixed) soon, I may no longer be able to open the door at all.
The lock actualle works sometimes when the door panel is off, but I can't leave it off because of the power wires. I'd hate to put it in the shop for this, can anybody help me out?
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Last edited by IB Tim; Dec 5, 2005 at 05:52 PM.
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From: Marietta, GA
I've done some work inside doors and I can't help you with your specific problem except to highly recommend that you let the experts do it. It's so easy to screw up stuff inside the door and then you just end up paying them that much more anyway.
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Reading other people's posts, a broken spring seems likely. I really don't have the money to put it in a shop right now if I can avoid it. I guess at some point I'm going to have to tear down both doors to compare.
Please keep comenting here, I can use it.
Please keep comenting here, I can use it.
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I had the same problem a year or so ago on my '98 Sport. It got to the point that I finally took it to the dealership. They said on mine i needed to replace the door latch assembly and handle. They estimated just shy of $300 for them to do it or $50 for the parts. Needless to say i just bought the parts, and spent a couple hours replacing it myself. Although I had to drill out the rivets of the old handle. If you read up i'm sure you can do it yourself. It seems that this is a fairly common problem on the sports i've had several friends with the same problem. Good Luck
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From: Friendswood, Texas
My suggestion would be to take a trip to the local boneyard, especially if it is a pick and pull type. Find one there and practice getting it out on their door instead of yours. A used one will proably be fine since this doesn'tr appear to be too terribly common of an occurance on these vehicles. Probably only goiong to cost yopu between $5 and $10.00.
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I had the same problem on my 99XLT a couple of years ago. I had to have both the latch and door handle replaced. After looking at how tight the space was to work I decided this was one of those jobs that was worth paying someone else to do for me.
Apparently the latch simply wears out. A boneyard replacement might not be much better. This is probably one of those situations where it's worth getting new parts.
Apparently the latch simply wears out. A boneyard replacement might not be much better. This is probably one of those situations where it's worth getting new parts.
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Hmmm.. practice on juck trucks, I like that idea. We have 2 of those close by, many others in the area. And I suspected the handle is riveted, good to have that confirmed.
However, since it's once again working, I'm going to try to stall through the holidays. Since the door handle still feels loose, I'm going to have to deal with it sooner or later.
Please clarify, by "latch assembly" are you refering to the rods, the latch on the side that keeps the door closed, or what exactly? Just trying to get a clearer picture here. Thanks for all the help so far.
However, since it's once again working, I'm going to try to stall through the holidays. Since the door handle still feels loose, I'm going to have to deal with it sooner or later.
Please clarify, by "latch assembly" are you refering to the rods, the latch on the side that keeps the door closed, or what exactly? Just trying to get a clearer picture here. Thanks for all the help so far.
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On mine both the latch and handle needed to be replaced. The latch is the part on the lower part of the door that keeps it closed and is held in with I believe 3 screws. The handle is the part that is rivited in.
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That's what I figured, but wanted to make sure. Why do they rivet these things if they're prone to breaking? It just makes it harder. I don't think manufactuers want you to be able to work on your vehicle nowdays. Old cars are so easy. (Off the subject, sorry.) Anyway, thanks, I'll keep you all posted on further developments, but I plan to try to stall through the holiday if possible.
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