Busted Door Latch
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
From: NE PA
I had a similar (if not the same) problem with my 97 explorer drivers side door. The lock got harder and harder to open until the only way it would unlock is from the inside. No keypad, key or remote would unlock the door.
After some research I looked insided the door and found the problem. Put your window down and carefully pull back the weather strip at top of the door panel. If you are careful, you can pull it back enough to see in. There is a small spring that hangs THROUGH the door latch. You should see the top of it on top of the latch. The other end of the spring should be visible (hanging through the latch) from the outside of the truck looking into the door through the latch. It should have a hook on the end of it and be hooked around a lug. This whole setup is very small.
I looked at the passenger side to see how it was set up. It was a trick to fix because the spring can only come up from the bottom, not down from the top. I had to use picture wire to pull the spring up through. I am happy to report that the door works great now!
Good luck
After some research I looked insided the door and found the problem. Put your window down and carefully pull back the weather strip at top of the door panel. If you are careful, you can pull it back enough to see in. There is a small spring that hangs THROUGH the door latch. You should see the top of it on top of the latch. The other end of the spring should be visible (hanging through the latch) from the outside of the truck looking into the door through the latch. It should have a hook on the end of it and be hooked around a lug. This whole setup is very small.
I looked at the passenger side to see how it was set up. It was a trick to fix because the spring can only come up from the bottom, not down from the top. I had to use picture wire to pull the spring up through. I am happy to report that the door works great now!
Good luck
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Steve and Teejay are both correct. I have had both problems on my ’98. The rod is easy to reattach if it’s not bent. It just pops back in the bracket. The spring on my latch broke so I bought a new latch from the dealer. The revised latch cost about $35.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I’m in the middle of replacing the timing chains on my 4.0L SOHC and the NTX rain isn’t helping me either.
When you take apart the door it wouldn’t hurt to check the condition of the plastic gear on the inside door handle. It is not very strong and sometimes they are damaged when you have other problems with the latch and lock system. It may be about to break too. The handle is easy to replace and doesn’t cost much.
As I recall, when the rod pops off, your key will turn in the lock but won’t open or lock the door. When the spring in the latch is the problem, the key will lock the door but won’t turn in the lock to open it. The inside handle may be hard to open too. Of course, the other possibility is the power lock actuator…
When you take apart the door it wouldn’t hurt to check the condition of the plastic gear on the inside door handle. It is not very strong and sometimes they are damaged when you have other problems with the latch and lock system. It may be about to break too. The handle is easy to replace and doesn’t cost much.
As I recall, when the rod pops off, your key will turn in the lock but won’t open or lock the door. When the spring in the latch is the problem, the key will lock the door but won’t turn in the lock to open it. The inside handle may be hard to open too. Of course, the other possibility is the power lock actuator…
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New User
Joined: Jun 2007
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Originally Posted by Space Truckin'
I’m in the middle of replacing the timing chains on my 4.0L SOHC and the NTX rain isn’t helping me either.
When you take apart the door it wouldn’t hurt to check the condition of the plastic gear on the inside door handle. It is not very strong and sometimes they are damaged when you have other problems with the latch and lock system. It may be about to break too. The handle is easy to replace and doesn’t cost much.
As I recall, when the rod pops off, your key will turn in the lock but won’t open or lock the door. When the spring in the latch is the problem, the key will lock the door but won’t turn in the lock to open it. The inside handle may be hard to open too. Of course, the other possibility is the power lock actuator…
When you take apart the door it wouldn’t hurt to check the condition of the plastic gear on the inside door handle. It is not very strong and sometimes they are damaged when you have other problems with the latch and lock system. It may be about to break too. The handle is easy to replace and doesn’t cost much.
As I recall, when the rod pops off, your key will turn in the lock but won’t open or lock the door. When the spring in the latch is the problem, the key will lock the door but won’t turn in the lock to open it. The inside handle may be hard to open too. Of course, the other possibility is the power lock actuator…
Space, it sounds like the spring. I can lock it easily but not open it. The only way that little lock **** will come up is when you pull the inside door handle.
About that rain.....glad I am not near Marble Falls....19 inches of rain in about the time it would take to run a good size trotline!
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Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Jonesboro, ar
My Sister's Boyfriend has a 2001 Exployer Sport. He broke the handle off of the inside of the door. I replaced that and now he broke it again today. Well since he cuts yards for a living he thought he could go in and fix the problem. Long story short he has now broken the spring, taken apart the acuator and unbolted the latch... What is the Easiest Way to fix all these problems. I know how to do the handle. But the spring for the latch and the acuator are all new to me. Is there a way to Take the shell off of the door to get to this stuff?
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
My girlfriend has a 98' Explorer and I found that it was the spring inside the latch. Without the spring it cause another latch to get hung up, in turn causing it to not unlock by pulling on it or with the key. My only question is where can I order a new door latch?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
From: NE PA
Any dealership will have the latch and it is not to hard to change. I have enormous hands and had a little hard time wiggeling it around inside the door. If you are patient and move the rods carefully it should take about an hour or so.
Good luck
Good luck
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Nashville
My drivers door the rod((on the inside of door) broke in half, so the door will unlock sometimes with my keyless entry.. and sometimes i have to reach across the passanger side and jiggle the handle and it will unlock. i am sure i will have to mess with it more one day.
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