Passenger Lock broken... can't open to fix ??

[Risran]

i recently bought a 93 5S LE (made the switch from VW to Toyota) and came to find out that the passenger side front door is broken, it looks like it has something to do with the lock because it stays locked and when i push the button over to the lock position then let go the lock springs back into the unlock position (clearly broken) but the door still wont open. so my question is how to i go about fixing this if i cant get the door open to get the panel off?? i'm stumped slim jim??

[bigbird]

you should be able to pop the interior handle, trim, bezel, thing off without the door being open. that should give you access to the door controls.

[Risran]

yea your right i hadn't thought about that option until later ... thanks

[bigbird]

just be careful, its a bitch to get off. i have never removed one without cracking it.

[Risran]

haha my friends have been dukes of hazarding it for a bit now its starting to get old, not to mention the wear an tear on the door panel and the paint on the outside of the door haha

[bcp477]

The drive mechanism for the power lock is jambed. I had the same problem, with exactly the same symptoms, on the driver-side rear door on my '97. The power lock module (motor) inside the door must be replaced. I disassembled my door and removed the lock module, to see what exactly was wrong - and see what could be done. The drive gears/ mechanism are made of nylon...and some parts simply failed (broke up). The module is not designed to be repaired....but, as a temporary fix, I pried it open and removed the offending bits that were jambing the manual lock mechanism. So then, the door lock could be used manually. You can probably get the door open by holding the inside lock switch back, then using the inside door latch. Be careful of doing this too many times, though....as many of the parts are plastic and subject to breakage, if over-stressed like this too often.