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Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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Gunner690
Novice
Apr 16, 2011, 5:19 PM
Post #1 of 12
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Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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Hey everyone, i'm new to the site, and in desperate need of a second opinion. Here's the situation.
1993 Saturn SL2 1.9L 4cl DOHC
Door wont open
-Cant remove outer door panel
-Cant Access Door latch from outside
- Cant remove window Glass or Scissor Lift
Diagnosed from removing the inside panels and handle, that the issue is with the Latch itself and nothing is wrong with the Link rods.
Cross Referencing with the rear side door, it seems the spring that actuates the latch open isn't functioning.
Options
Since the outer door panel cant be removed and the service holes in the inner door offer no visual or remote access to the latching mechanism, there are only 2 options to get this door open, by my knowledge.
1. Slide something down the window slit and poke around till i find the latch and push hard to release it.
- risking scratching the window, NO light to see what I'm hitting, and no reference to where i am in the door.
2. All possible above variables weighed. my only other option is to use an angle grinder and CUT another access panel in the inner door to allow access and visual of the latch mechanism, and work from there to pry it open with, say, a screwdriver.
If your still with me, i thank you for your time. What I'm looking for from all/any of you, is a second opinion, if anyone knows of a third option that might work, or say a simple "yeah i've done this before, you just stick your finger in this hole and POP!"
Before i go cutting my way to freedom.
Thank you, -Mike
(This post was edited by Gunner690 on Apr 16, 2011, 5:20 PM)
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Gunner690
Novice
Apr 17, 2011, 11:44 AM
Post #3 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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well i tried removing the weather striping on the outside of the car to work a length of left over brake line i had.
its a nice sunny day out, which means the contrast in that small space is even worse to see what I'm doing in there. I tried to prod from the inside, through one of the access holes in the inner door, but to no avail.
My thoughts.
Even if i get the door open in this manner, i wont be able to close it. or else i have to start all over. I dont have the replacement latch and/or new door to swap out whence i do get it open.
Therefore my second option feels like the smarter option in my case. Cut a smallish hole in the inner door, to properly access the latch, and once i get the door open, i can continue to open and shut it at my convenience until i get the replacement part.
Thank you Hammer Time for responding, but is there any tips you could give me, that have worked in the past when you prod through the window slit?
Bump
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 17, 2011, 11:49 AM
Post #4 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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You on;ly need to get it open once. then you can remove the door panel and leave it off until you have the problem resolved. that will give you access to the inside of the door from that side. Don't go cutting any holes in the door. They make small lights to slip down along the glass. You'll need some type of link tool the can grab and move levers.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Gunner690
Novice
Apr 17, 2011, 9:11 PM
Post #5 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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Well, hammer i strongly doubt blindly prodding would have accomplished anything. i tried my best with what i had to work with down the window slit, but it quickly became apparent i had no other option.
so went out an bought a cheep angle grinder and metal cutting disk and just cut out a small 5"x 5" square in the inside panel to gain access to the latch assembly. after poking and prodding and learning about this contraption to -no door opening- freedom. I decided to drill out the rivets holding the bracket to the plastic. THEN i proceeded to take a large screwdriver and hammer, and broke all that plastic to reveal the inner components. Unfortunately, i see now the problem is with the retaining mechanism, that holds the latch against the spring loaded component, which is no longer loaded.
What i did had to be done. i am honestly calculating every move i make on this thing. and i'm glad i'm undertaking this myself, for i doubt any shop would want to.
But a question for you, know of any sites i could get a new door latch from? i cant seem to find any information on any. I can probably still salvage the lock cylinder, just need a new latch, any ideas?
thanks 
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 18, 2011, 1:50 AM
Post #6 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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That's always been a dealer only part.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Gunner690
Novice
Apr 18, 2011, 3:28 PM
Post #7 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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cool, well, i called my local junkyard supplier and i have a whole new door assembly coming in a couple days. Today i managed to gain access to the release mechanism and now i can open and close the door on my command with a screwdriver! When i get the door I'm going to take the old one off and harvest the lock cylinder and replace the new one so i can use the same keys, and install the new door. Thanks for the council on this. don't delete the thread quite yet, ill reply with the end result, and write a short debriefing about what went wrong and how i fixed it, for anyone else with this problem, thanks hammer.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 18, 2011, 3:35 PM
Post #8 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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We never delete them. Many people search the archives.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Gunner690
Novice
Apr 18, 2011, 3:55 PM
Post #9 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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cool, sounds good, ill let yall know how it goes.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 18, 2011, 4:00 PM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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I'm not sure I want anyone to read this though. I totally disagree with the way you did this and would never advise anyone to cut the door.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 18, 2011, 7:43 PM
Post #11 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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Gunner: No posts/threads deleted here unless total spam crap. Opinions welcome even in not my own and archived here.
Enjoy a clean site,
T
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Mr.scotty
Enthusiast
May 3, 2011, 4:31 PM
Post #12 of 12
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Re: Driver Door CANNOT open, PLEASE HELP! ty
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Wow your lucky it was a 1993 Saturn SL2 and not a car that's hard to get used parts for.
Well you did what you set out to do so ... good job, i guess. lol
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Your only as good as your tools!
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