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Driver Door won't open. So confounding.

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Old Jan 24, 2010 | 04:00 PM
  #1  
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Default Driver Door won't open. So confounding.

The driver door won't open from the inside. I put it in park. The doors unlock and then when I pull on the handle, nothing happens. The door is clearly unlocked as when I roll the window down I can open the door with the outside handle.

Any ideas?
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 03:26 PM
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I am having the same issue with my 2003 GS 300. I had it looked at today and there is a cable cord that connects the door handle to the lock. They told me the cable had basically run out of life and stretched out until it was too long and not strong enough to pull open the lock...
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 03:34 PM
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I just picked mine up. That's exactly what they said about mine. Inexpensive fix. But no replacement of any parts. Just a reassembly of what was there. So maybe the problems are not exactly the same.

In any case, I can now get out of the car on the driver's side.
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 04:13 PM
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Based on Toyota's success, Lexus is making a move into NASCAR. The new process to exit your car:

- Put down dual-laminated glass window
- Take down the suede safety net
- Remove your comfort-leather 5-point harness
- Crawl out through the window
- Stand on the window sill
- Put on you sponsor's cap "It's a Lexus - Bubba!"
- Pump your fist
- Do a back flip.

You'll impress your friends and neighbors.

Vinyl numbers and sponsor decals for your car will be for sale at your Lexus dealer parts department next month.
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Old Jan 26, 2010 | 09:24 AM
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OKiestate -

Where did you order the cable from? i called the dealership and they won't sell the cable without the latch itself so they want 280 total! i've been searching but can't find the cable...

thnks
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 01:36 AM
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i had the similar problem with the cable snapping. i used a soldering iron, soldering lead, and thin guage wire to fix it. here some pics:

cable break


solder to link


wrap with thin guage wire


resolder to reinforce

Last edited by Red Square; Jan 28, 2010 at 01:44 AM.
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Old Jan 28, 2010 | 02:44 AM
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How long has that soldered fix held? I would think the break would occur in a location where the cable is bent, which wouldn't lend itself to a solder fix.
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Old May 27, 2011 | 02:32 AM
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Thanks Red Square for the pictures.

Does the soldering hold after this time?

Jac
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Old May 27, 2011 | 07:24 AM
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The flex in the rest of the wire will not be affected so unless that specific spot needs to repeatedly bend it should be fine. If it is not subject to repeated bending the solder joint spot should hold forever.
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Old May 27, 2011 | 03:59 PM
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The soldering has held up. Don't think it will ever break at the spot again. The cable does need a little flex. In the pics, that should be the thickest you should make it. The closer too the ball joint the more flex you need.
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