Urgent help! 1998 Ls400 Driver door entire locking/unlock mechanism 200% unfunctional
11-10-15, 12:05 PM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Urgent help! 1998 Ls400 Driver door entire locking/unlock mechanism 200% unfunctional
HELP!! I have a important vacation with s/o coming up and I've already been crawling through the passenger side for the past 2 months already!
Details:
DOOR CANNOT OPEN AT ALL INSIDE OR OUT VIA
- KEYFOB (All other doors still open and close. Windows can still go all down when i have unlock button held down)
- KEY LOCK CYLINDER (All other doors still open and close. Windows can still go all down when i have key turned towards on unlock)
- MANUAL INSIDE BUTTON (it seems to get stuck trying to go all the way to the open position, a lot of pressure is trying to force it this way ----> when opening is going this way
Anyone help please
1998 LS400
Should I take a angle grinder and cut the entire panel off or drill a **** ton of holes?
No definitive answer could be found, i've been looking for 2 months periodically. People claim anywhere from 1-6 hours of time spent, could be anything from rods, to actuator to spring.
Details:
DOOR CANNOT OPEN AT ALL INSIDE OR OUT VIA
- KEYFOB (All other doors still open and close. Windows can still go all down when i have unlock button held down)
- KEY LOCK CYLINDER (All other doors still open and close. Windows can still go all down when i have key turned towards on unlock)
- MANUAL INSIDE BUTTON (it seems to get stuck trying to go all the way to the open position, a lot of pressure is trying to force it this way ----> when opening is going this way
Anyone help please
1998 LS400
Should I take a angle grinder and cut the entire panel off or drill a **** ton of holes?
No definitive answer could be found, i've been looking for 2 months periodically. People claim anywhere from 1-6 hours of time spent, could be anything from rods, to actuator to spring.
Last edited by LSpho; 11-10-15 at 12:11 PM.
11-10-15, 12:57 PM
#3
This may help to see whats in side.
http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19107
Yeah that is not a fun deal you have there. Its going to not be easy. If it was me dealing with that I would at least try to remove both front seats first. Then the door panel, then the outside door handle, it must be that latch unit is goofed up some how. If using vise grips on the manual lock rod and trying to pull it won't work. Then I guess a small die grinder or moto tool type grinder and try to open it up in place, I don't know but the mount bolts maybe only accessible when the door is open.
http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19107
Yeah that is not a fun deal you have there. Its going to not be easy. If it was me dealing with that I would at least try to remove both front seats first. Then the door panel, then the outside door handle, it must be that latch unit is goofed up some how. If using vise grips on the manual lock rod and trying to pull it won't work. Then I guess a small die grinder or moto tool type grinder and try to open it up in place, I don't know but the mount bolts maybe only accessible when the door is open.
11-10-15, 11:34 PM
#5
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Went to a locksmith, car cannot be opened. Great guy didn't charge me for 30 minutes time spent
I'm going to literally saw a giant rectangle at the upper part of the door card and just get it open...
There doesn't seem to be much space behind the panel before I hit something, anyone have a good idea for a hand manual cutting tool?
I'm going to literally saw a giant rectangle at the upper part of the door card and just get it open...
There doesn't seem to be much space behind the panel before I hit something, anyone have a good idea for a hand manual cutting tool?
Last edited by LSpho; 11-10-15 at 11:38 PM.
11-11-15, 02:53 AM
#6
If you don't want sparks from a cut off wheel use a saber saw or a sawsall. Its probably to thick to use snips on.
Please take pics and keep us posted on what you have to do to fix and open door.
I'm editing this so I don't post last and take away attention from Billy's good post.
If it was me I would not cut on the door unless absolutely necessary I would attack the latch assembly / unit, if there are rivets I'd try to cut them off, pull on the rods etc etc.
If you chop on the door you will be looking for another one with the same paint, and it may or may not match correctly, I would really take my time on figuring this one out, it could be something very simple.
Please take pics and keep us posted on what you have to do to fix and open door.
I'm editing this so I don't post last and take away attention from Billy's good post.
If it was me I would not cut on the door unless absolutely necessary I would attack the latch assembly / unit, if there are rivets I'd try to cut them off, pull on the rods etc etc.
If you chop on the door you will be looking for another one with the same paint, and it may or may not match correctly, I would really take my time on figuring this one out, it could be something very simple.
Last edited by dicer; 11-11-15 at 11:03 PM.
11-11-15, 02:26 PM
#7
What have YOU done about this situation? we gave you some clue's
have you:
removed the master switch & screw?
removed inner door handle?
removed door arm rest and screws?
removed door light lens and popped the light out to remove the screw behind it?
were waiting?
have you:
removed the master switch & screw?
removed inner door handle?
removed door arm rest and screws?
removed door light lens and popped the light out to remove the screw behind it?
were waiting?
Last edited by billydpowe; 11-11-15 at 03:52 PM.
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11-12-15, 11:20 PM
#8
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Yes I did take off the inner door handle and window switch but I couldn't access anything at the time, but I'll go through diagram the post from billydpowe tomorrow.
If not then i'll get cutting by the time in return.
I meant chop the door panel from the inside right behind the rod and spring not any other part. I can probably source another panel for under 100$ easy or just live with a cut rectangle that I can ghetto patch.
If not then i'll get cutting by the time in return.
I meant chop the door panel from the inside right behind the rod and spring not any other part. I can probably source another panel for under 100$ easy or just live with a cut rectangle that I can ghetto patch.
Last edited by LSpho; 11-12-15 at 11:40 PM.
11-13-15, 02:26 AM
#9
You don't remove the speaker screen to get the panel off. There will be some screws and then it has the plastic retainers that you just pop the panel out from. This is not for the newer years but likely very similar.
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/fdoorpanel.html
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/fdoorpanel.html
11-13-15, 07:38 AM
#10
Yes I did take off the inner door handle and window switch but I couldn't access anything at the time, but I'll go through diagram the post from billydpowe tomorrow.
If not then i'll get cutting by the time in return.
I meant chop the door panel from the inside right behind the rod and spring not any other part. I can probably source another panel for under 100$ easy or just live with a cut rectangle that I can ghetto patch.
If not then i'll get cutting by the time in return.
I meant chop the door panel from the inside right behind the rod and spring not any other part. I can probably source another panel for under 100$ easy or just live with a cut rectangle that I can ghetto patch.
PS, I am assuming you will have the seat removed at this time... plus I am not telling you how to do this, just trying to help since I have had several panels off in my time (but NOT with the door closed) good luck and keep us posted with some photos ( for others who might experience this calamity)
NONE OF THE ABOVE might work, but at this point it is all at no cost in dollars, just time and labor (which I can no longer do, but think HOW I would do) cheers !!
Last edited by billydpowe; 11-13-15 at 07:45 AM.
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