driver door is stuck locked. manual locks/windows - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

97toyotacam · 08-12-2011, 07:04 PM

I'm not sure how it happened but I think someone tried to break into my car. They never were able to get in but they bent the rods all up inside of my door and the handle works still but the lock is jammed! I Pried off the interior door panel as best I could ( keep in mind the door is stuck closed so most of the access screws are blocked ) and got at the part where the rod connects to the lock! I tried with pliers to move the part where the rod connects to the lock and it moves but only slightly. The thing is really stuck! I tried to open it from the outside at the same time as the inside. Also I tried using the key from the outside while doing what I just mentioned and it did not work! I'm stumped but I really don't wanna take it to a mechanic what should I do?

Somebody help me so i don't have to keep getting IN/out of the passenger door LOL!!!!!!!!

Pvt-Public · 08-12-2011, 09:30 PM

I would try a bod shop, they usually know a few tricks for getting things unstuck. Just my 2 cents worth.

***TrailDust*** · 08-13-2011, 02:16 PM

There are a number of past threads like this one that discussed jammed doors, so you'll want to use the forum's search feature to locate them and read through them and hopefully find a resolution. From what I've read so far your situation doesn't look good.

97toyotacam · 08-13-2011, 09:23 PM

Thanks Trail Dust... I did another search in the forums and came away with some inspiration to go at the job again. I got a long wire off a water pale and tried to move that gold rod( mine was totally caked black from dirt/grime and hard to see )that Chris mentioned in your link post. Well I wasn't sure exactly what i did but I tried to push down on the lever i could see moving when i pull the inside handle and it OPENED!!!!!!!!! now.... i then went about removing screws and such to take the panel off. Out of curiosity I tried to close the door again.... to see if it was really fixed.... and now its stuck back in the same position closed and locked.... and I can't get it to unlock again... tried the same method and all.
So close yet so far... I will try again soon

***TrailDust*** · 08-13-2011, 09:35 PM

Too bad it's still stuck...bummer! I'll take a look off-site myself and see if I can turn something up for you.

EDIT: FWIW, this was the most relevant item I could find.....http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3132917AAt4nGF

bolink654 · 08-13-2011, 09:59 PM

If you do get it open again, don't close it to check if its working

Instead, when you think its fixed, stick a screwdriver into the catch (the part that latches onto the pin on the car) and there should be jaws, or a jaw that latches around the screwdriver shaft. Then pull on the screwdriver and try the handle - if the jaws open and release the screwdriver, then it SHOULD be working. Of course if its not, you wont be able to close the door, because the jaws will be in the way, so remember that. But if your working on it, its better to have it stuck open than stuck closed.

As far as getting it open, just keep trying different stuff, I've never had this problem on these cars but I have had it on a 89 Nissan pickup, my 82 Toyota, and a 86 Nissan 200SX. In all cases, there IS a way (if you have the door panel off), tugging rods, pulling levers with pliers, or sticking a flathead screwdriver in the right spot.

97toyotacam · 08-13-2011, 10:55 PM

I have had the door panel removed enough to where I can get to all the parts I need to in order to play with it to get it to open. I didn't damage it either like everyone says they did.... I removed the screw holding the inner door handle and took that off ,then pried the door panel off enough from the top of the door frame with the window down so I can manuever inside. i had to bend it quite a bit however....

Since I drive my car a lot i would rather have it stuck closed than stuck open so I can drive the car and lock it. thank you though for the screw driver idea. I will try that when I get it open again

97toyotacam · 10-12-2011, 06:59 PM

ok so here I am, two months later I am able to get the door open again! I got it open by using a wire and also jimmying the outside handle along with the inside one and the lock all at the same time. Well I tried the screw driver idea and it proved that my door is not yet fixed. The latch on the door (where it secures to the metal pin) will not go back to its normal position ,therefore my door is now STUCK OPEN and its locked! I know its good to have it open to work on it, but the only way i know how to fix it would be to replace the latch and that seems difficult. So now if I want to close my door I will have to repeat the tedious unlocking process all over again, and it still won't be fixed. I'm feeling like getting a NEW DOOR. HELP

97toyotacam · 10-12-2011, 09:30 PM

LOL K I fixed it........ Took everything apart, staightened all the rods and lubed it with WD 40 now everything works again. It was important that I also took the outside door handle apart, as the rod on it had contributed to the jamming as well. I really don't know EXACTLY what I did to fix it. Like Bolink said you just have to keep trying and prying. Hopefully it doesn't happen again