Door Won't Open

[aleekat]

95 Cutlass SL 2dr. Been fooling with door adjustment. Original symptoms were wouldn't open from the outside, just inside handle worked. Adjusted the rod to open door, work 10 times from outside/inside. Went out this morning, door won't open from either outside or inside. Anyone know how to get this open with the door in closed position?

[danielsatur]

Look for a replacement interior door skin, befor breaking yours!
You might need to break yours in order to open the door.

[MagicRat]

The latch or door lock linkage may be dirty, rusty or frozen.

Get a can of WD 40. Attach the little red nozzle to the can and run the nozzle down in between the window glass and the rubber window seal. Spray the whiz out of the inside of the door, especially towards the rear of the door. Work the nozzle back and forth as best you can. Then wiggle the door latch back and forth, as well as the exterior key lock, and the latch. Hopefully this should free up the components so the door will work.

This has worked for me under the same circumstances.

[aleekat]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

The latch or door lock linkage may be dirty, rusty or frozen.

Thanks, it is none of these. Was thinking if anyone has tried with window down, can I get to the linkage with a coat hanger and possibly release the latch. Like I posted. Did an adjustment, it worked 10 times. Next morning, outside/inside handle won't release the door. The adjustment was for the outside handle only. Inside always worked.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by aleekat

Thanks, it is none of these. Was thinking if anyone has tried with window down, can I get to the linkage with a coat hanger and possibly release the latch. Like I posted. Did an adjustment, it worked 10 times. Next morning, outside/inside handle won't release the door. The adjustment was for the outside handle only. Inside always worked.

Window should be up for best results with a coat hanger.

[danielsatur]

If the door handle bent linkage is still connected to the door handle, a Slim Jim tool should still work.

[aleekat]

Since I have removed both door panels numerous times, I knew where all the screws were located. You can access all of them with the door closed. Was able to pull the interior panel far enough away from the door at the rear/top of panel area to get access down to the latching rods without damaging the panel. Was able reach inside with my hand and pull on numerous rods and got the door open. No rods were disconnected. Best I can figure, it appears the movable the latch itself located in the door , has a hard rubber cushion. It looked like the rubber had been breaking down and jammed the latch itself so it wouldn't move. Sprayed PBlaster and with a screwdriver removed the rubber parts. Door is working again with no adjustments. Maybe this will help someone else.

[tharrison57]

THANK YOU ! I was just getting ready to post up the same thing. '97 Supreme 4 door, passenger's side has been dragging from the outside, now driver's side starting. Inside handles work fine ..... so far...... problem has been from the outside in. I'll try the "soak" system first, then go back & study the post again if that doesn't help.

Thanks again AF for keeping my stuff on life support ! !

So I tried it tonight, and it seems to help ! Held the seal from the window with cabinet/window/door shims (wooden wedges) & it allowed me to move the WD-40 back & forth fairly easily. Thanks again ! !