sandaholic

My first problem was that my outside driver door handle quit working. This is the second time this has happened. I tried to trace down the problem, and can't seem to figure it out. A few days later, the passenger door starting having the same problem! Now the passenger side door does not open from either the inside or the outside! So I tied a rope on the inside handle of the drivers door and strung it through the door so that I can still open the door. I have daily passengers, and I need that passenger door!

BTW - I can't take the door panel off to try and locate the problem, as the door handles won't work so there is no way to get the door open! I love my lexus...but enough is enough. Any suggestions or advice to another forum where I might be able to resolve my problems with it?

Thanks

mthibode

Passenger door will not open from inside or outside. I press the unlock button from inside the car but this does not help. I can hear a mechanism clicking inside the passenger door, but can't feel it in the handle inside or outside. I want to remove the door panel, but this is not possible without having the door open first.

Does anyone know how to get this door open? I've been to a locksmith and two body shops. No dice. The dealer said that he couldn't get the door off without breaking the panel inside.

Any advice?

ES300NZ

remove seat next to the door. remove the screws/door handles holding panel in place.
- do your very best to be nice to the panel and remove it.
- if it goes badly in anyway,
- destroy the panel with glee, that's the only option.

LeX2K

Front door or back? If back then you can remove the bolts holding the hinges and swing the door outward enough to get the panel off.

DRACO A5OG

+1, destroy the panel and locate one from a pick a part, they are cheap. While you are there, might as well locate a door locking mechanism or at least the plastic grommets that most likely crumbled. You can verify this when you pull the panels off.

If this is a DD, then you can pull the panel off, manually rig a trigger to the mechanism and open the door. Work on it on the weekend. Ugly but affective. Just ask your passenger to be gentle.

mthibode

Unfortunately passenger door

ES300NZ

I think, if you can get the panel free, you should be able to work your arm into the doors inner workings and trip the locking mechanism. It might help to take the drivers door apart first to learn where everything is located and how you might be able to do it.

does that make sense ? In my head I'm seeing someone with their arm bent at an odd angle, between a partly removed panel & door frame, contorting a hand around into a tight space to pull a bit of wire, .. probably talking out my exhaust pipe.

mthibode

Thanks-- here's the update. A friend came over flipped off the cover behind the door handle, took out the screw and fished inside with his fingers. Somehow he got the door open. So, when I get some time I'll dive in and get the panel off to see what can be done. Thanks for your ideas. Hope this helps others who may be in a similar situation.

DRACO A5OG

Outstanding! Congrats.

Note, when you remove the panel, there is a plastic guide near the center top that the pull handle rides in. Sometimes that part crumbles and cause a mis-alignment of the mechanism and will not allow you to open the door without tugging really hard.

You can zip tie it loosely to insure the proper alignment or of course buy the part.

ES300NZ

Good job,