Having an issue with my passenger door

[Scroby]

I have a 1990 Mercury Topaz and I'm having a issue with the passenger door. The door is stuck and won't open. The door can unlock and lock but the handle on the outside of the door is stuck in the up position. Can anyone help me out and give me some advice on fixing it?

[curtis73]

Sounds like the linkage came off the handle. Pull the inner door panel off and it should be obvious.

[Scroby]

Do you know how I can do that? I see that there are 3 screws on the bottom on the panel but I can't tell how to take the top half off. I don't see any screws.

[UncleBob]

unfortunately, you usually end up breaking it in this situation

[curtis73]

I've never broken a door panel, but you have to be careful.

You take the screws out, remove the window crank (if there is one) and then the perimeter of the panel is held on with one-way plastic push-pins. Find them by going around the perimeter with something and then pry them off with two screwdrivers; one on each side of the fastener.

[Scroby]

Now I actually tried taking the door panel off yesterday after I was able to find one of those maintanance books but I can't take it off. One of the screws that is on the bottom of the door has the passenger seat in the way and I can't move the seat back or forward enough for me to get to the screw. Also I can't tell how to get the window crank off and it looks like I need to unscrew the door handle on the inside of the door and I guess I need like a chuck key or something to take that out.

[UncleBob]

there's usually a clip holding the window crank on....there's a special tool that makes it easy to remove those clips, but if you use a small screwdriver or picks, you can usually get it out.

The hidden screw that you can't get to....well....this is where a prybar gets used sometimes

[curtis73]

Get yourself a stubby screwdriver for the hidden screw, the door handle just slips through the hole when you take the panel off, and the window crank has a clip under the hub like Bob said.

I know it looks like a huge task for a first-timer, but after you get it off you'll be like... oh, that was really easy.

[UncleBob]

hehe, especially after the prybar comes into play

[GreyGoose006]

dont forget the arm rest. there are usually screws hidden behind it.

[Scroby]

Thank you for the advice guys. So here's a tiny update in me removing the door panal.

I went out a bought a stubby screwdriver so I can get to that bottom screw that had the seat blocking it and I got it out! So I scored some points there. So now i have those 3 screws out, I have the power door lock panels unscrewed, along with the piece that is above the door that is behind the side view mirror.

Now here's where I'm kinda stuck. I'm still stuck with the window crank but after reading your advice I'm going to see if I can actually get the clip off. I can't push the panel back far enough to see what I'm reaching for, but I'll just take a screwdriver and sorta move it around to see if I can hit a clip.

There is a screw in the arm rest, but its stripped, so I don't think its going to hold me back.

Funny story: After removing the 3 bottom screws, I pulled on the door panel to see how loose it was and whole bunch of change fell out! It was like a slot machine and that was my prize for removing those 3 screws.

[GreyGoose006]

the clip for the window crank should be on the front, between the crank and the panel.

[Scroby]

So I just got the crank off and I was able to somewhat peel back the panel but I couldn't get it all the way off and since I couldn't get it all the way off I can't really see what the problem with the door handle is. I think I'm going to try again on Sunday when I sorta have a free day to work on it.

Though quick question, I was trying to put the crank back on, and I couldn't get the screw all the way in and when I tried to re-adjust the crank so I could get the screw back in, the screw came flying out and got lost in my car. My car's not a mess or anything, its just to tiny for me to find. Though I used a regular small screw to replace the screw that was already in the crank? Is the new screw not going to work out as well?