The key fob quit working a while back. However, the key would still unlock the door and I could open it. Now I cannot open the door from the outside.

2001 IS300

 

If the door unlocks and the handle doesn't work. That leaves the handle broke or the rod connection came lose.

 

thank you. Sounds like I will have to take the inside panel off to see?

 

You could try that, remove the inside panel and peel back the plastic sheet film and see what's going on with the rod, if it moves around loosely or if it's still secure.

 

removed the panel today. Found the rod was loose. So, it appears that the metal piece/hole is broken. Hard to explain, but that little rod has a plastic clip on it and snaps into a metal hole connected to the exterior handle. The top of the metal broke off, preventing it from functioning.

my question is, if I can find a handle assembly, is it possible to remove the metal lever/hardware and swap it out?

the car is yellow, and all the handles I can find on eBay are different colors. Also concerned about having to re-key it, if the hardware cannot be swapped.

 

do you know if the small metal piece with the hole in it, where that rod snaps in is removable from the actual exterior handle?