So I followed the step by step using various past posts, Taking the door panel off went very smoothly. I picked up the latch cable (green) for the inner driver side latch for $35. The biggest mistake was unscrewing parts off the door actator so I could get to and detach the damaged cable. The locking latch mechanism is spring loaded so when I removed it from the unit, small spring and parts started falling out!!

Long story short after several hours of trying to piece it back together it look like I will be making an appointment with the dealer to have a new door actuator put in. Apparently I was not as mechanically inclined as I thought. Some things I'll have to leave up to the pros. Gotta go bag up all the parts and tie the driver side door shut to drive to the dealership tomorrow.

 

Been there, done that, threw the tools, paid the bill.

 

FYI Found a new oem actuator for $180 shipped on Ebay. Part # 69040-50181
Hope I can get a discount on the labor since I have the door off.

 

Don't feel too bad about it, that happens to everyone at some time...if you never attempt complicated stuff you never learn anything at all. At least you tried and probably learned some stuff about your car in the process. I once ruined the water pump on my 79 Grand Prix attempting to flush the cooling system...oh well..I did learn it is very important to hook the garden hose up to the right coolant hose.

 

funny story, well not like ha ha funny, but yeah amusing nonetheless. i had installed a few sets of door speakers in the past on friends vehicles without any big issues, so i tried to do it on my old gs400 one day and the door removal didn't go as smoothly as i would have hoped. i now no longer mess with removing the doors,, seems i'm not the only one

good luck i hope they don't charge you an arm and a leg,, maybe just a leg since you already have the door removed sorry man,,

 

Sorry to hear that - I think we've all been there (or will someday) to greater or lesser degree, even those who are mechanically inclined.

Here's a virtual pat on the back anyway.