driver door handles broke and can't open door.

[james42519]

i have 94 camry le and the inside door handle is broken up to the spring and the outside one won't work because the rod came off it i think. is there any way i can get the door opened to take the door panel off? can i get to the rod to open it by taking the bezel off the inside door handle? have no idea what to do.
sorry if this has been asked already

[rhymz]

i think u can get to the rod by taking the inside bezel off...just use a long nose pliers and pull on it and the door should open up...just make sure once opened u fix it b4 locking it...

[james42519]

ok thanks i will see if i can do that.

[Eric N]

Open the passengers door. Reach over, open drivers door from inside.

[james42519]

Originally Posted by Eric N

Open the passengers door. Reach over, open drivers door from inside.

i said the inside and outside handles are broken.

[Eric N]

Ah, i misread. thats unfortunate. lol.

[vincentfox]

Search on youtube for "camry 1992-96 door panel removal" you will find some videos.

Remove one screw and pop it loose. Make sure you use the trick there of popping the two plastic latches using a screwdriver. If you just PRY it after removing the screw you will probably damage the bezel.

Once you get the bezel open assumedly you should be able to yank on the rods to open it and then finish the job. If it's the driver door and you have power windows I'd replace the window motor/regulator while you're in there. Mine needed it recently and it's only 1997. It's enough of an annoyance to me to open up a door and start working that now I would lean towards service everything at once that I can reach. As opposed to the way I did do it which was open it all up FOUR TIMES as each of those broke within a year:

1) Mirror replacement
2) Inside door handle
3) Outside door handle
4) Window motor & regulator

[ghettosled]

^ wow, youve had some bad luck. i wouldnt replace anything besides the handle.
i would do as others suggested. remove the trim from around the inside handle and gain access to the pull rods.

[james42519]

ok thanks. i seen the video before but didn't know if you could get to that. i am not replacing more then needs to be because i really don't have that money.

[Eric N]

Have vicegrips? you could try to jam them on whats left of the interior handle and try to open it?

[james42519]

Originally Posted by Eric N

Have vicegrips? you could try to jam them on whats left of the interior handle and try to open it?

that would work but there is nothign left of the handle. it is broke past the spring. you can see it.

[GaviN]

Handles are like 10 bucks on Ebay. My cousin literally buys both interior and exterior door handles on a monthly basis. His little sons stay popping them on his 94, lol. I bought one for 15 bucks shipped about 3 yrs ago and its still holding up..and it was already painted black

[james42519]

Originally Posted by GaviN

Handles are like 10 bucks on Ebay. My cousin literally buys both interior and exterior door handles on a monthly basis. His little sons stay popping them on his 94, lol. I bought one for 15 bucks shipped about 3 yrs ago and its still holding up..and it was already painted black

yeah that is not the problem. i was just having trouble getting the door opened to change them.

[GaviN]

^^Ohh. I used to have an 83 Sentra with that same issue about 12 yrs ago...I just removed the door panel and played the rod game for almost 2 yrs, lolol. The good ol days!!! That worked until the rod actually broke and eventually the car caught on fire (no relation to the door issue) and that was that, lol.

[james42519]

thanks. i got the door opened with a flat head screwdriver. moved the back inside door handle to the front too and will see about changing the outside when it is not raining. the hardest part was taking the bezel off the handle and the clips on the rods.