1991 Lexus Es250 door latch is stuck. Need help.

[Camry_rider]

I know its the wrong forum, but I assume that the 2nd generation Camry and the ES250 share the same doors and latches.

Hello, Im not a new memeber...just have not posted in a very very long time.

I bought a 91 ES250 today and the drivers side door is stuck shut. The door panel is off. The guy told me that the original door handle would open it, but you would have to pull up on the handle really hard, so he replaced the door handle and nothing else.

So Im thinking that the actual latch itself won't pop open.

I have tryed to pop the latch from inside the door and I just cannot seem to find out how to get the thing off. I suppose I could take off the fender and remove the door that way, but the latch will still be stuck closed.

Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

Thank you in advance.

[The Camry Man]

Yes Welcome Back! 2003 Member

I had the VERY SAME problem on a couple of my customers Camry's and One time on THE FIRST CAR I was able to SPRAY SILICONE (after destoying the panel trying to access the inside mechanics) SRAY inside all over the latch and bars then pull on the handle knobs WHILE (at the same time) Moving the Lock Actuator up and down.... WAY LAA It Popped open

THE SECOND car this did NOT WORK although I ADDED a step.

I did the same thing (after I had to rip the panel off again) except this time I had a HELPER Pry up on the door with a large PADDED screwdriver from the outside and WAA LAA it popped open.

ON BOTH INSTANCES I had to go to the wrecking yard and find a matching door panel that I destryed gaining access to the mechanics!

if this does not help ..Let us know how you got it off so we can add a STEP THREE...he he

[Camry_rider]

Im going to donkey kick it.

Ill try that, I have some pry bars. Lucky for me the guy never replaced the door panel...so its still in perfect condition! Im going to go try those options now. Thanks man

[Camry_rider]

Ok, I found the 3rd solution to the problem from the Previa boards, I guess its a common toyota flaw.

If you find the hinge that slides up and down on the latch on the inside of the door you will see a very very small pin that sticks out right under the bottom of that slide. If you take a screw driver and push that pin down the lock will open.

In my case the slide was pulled out too far to engauge the pin. I just took a screw driver and bent the slide back a little bit so it would engauge the pin. Woot, door opens. Now that I got the door open....the thing is binding up on the fender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its a good thing I love working on cars.

Thanks to the previa boards, mods please add this to the Camry/ES250 FAQ's/DIY