98 Avalon XLS Inner Rear Door Latch

[tmctodd]

Good Day to All,

I am unable to open the passenger side rear door on my Avalon from the inside of the car. The outer door handle acutates and operates normally. The inner latch/handle does not. I can tell, by feel, that the linkage inside is not engaging. I would appreciate some direction in removing the door panel and suggestions on what might have happened. I plan on repairing the door myself and any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

[cexsiman]

rear door panel comes off by removing a push in than pull out pin on the outside edge of the panel about mid way down. there are two phillips screws both at the bottom of the panel and behiend the caps on the arm rest. the caps are easily removed with the head of a screw driver. the trim around the handle on the inside pulls out, but pull it from the pointy end because that is where the connector is. and lastly there should be one more screw on the edge by the B pillar. when removing the panel it is necessary to disconnect the window switch wire as well as the door light. both just unplug. remove the vapor barrier and voila!

it looks like a lot, but you can do it in less than 10 mins i just wanted to be detailed for you. the front panels are mostly the same except you need to remove the switch assembly to remove the second arm rest screw big PITA,

if you search my posts there are some door panel pictures from a speaker install i did a little bit back.

but before you do all of that. is the child saftey lock on? small switch on the rear door jam that prevents the door from being opened from the inside but the outside works fine.

[garytmb]

My 96 Avalon had this happen to the LH rear door. Removed door panel n found a broken small plastic connector attaching the latch linkage. Couple bucks for part n real easy replacement. Door panel was a piece of cake.

[CupCate18]

I have the same issue with back driver side door. I have taken off the panel multiple times, but I dont know how the door stuff is supposed to look. Nothing looks wrong though. I'd love to fix it though bc it's known as my "Gimp door" by friends.

Edit: I know child lock is off.

[jetlag44]

[quote=tmctodd;2147037]Good Day to All,

I am unable to open the passenger side rear door on my Avalon from the inside of the car.

Todd,I just got finished replacing a cable on the driver's side front door of a 2001 Avalon so I hope this is still the same set-up on yours.. It was doing the same thing ..i.e. It would open fine from the outside handle but the inside handle was not engaged. Found that the cable to the inner door handle was broken. Ten bucks at Toyota for the cable. Make sure that they order the correct cable there are two. Stress that it is the inner door cable that is broken. They gave me the wrong cable first ttime around.

After getting the door panel off you have to feel your way to get the connecting rods disengaged from the door latch mechanism. There is a plastic tab at the end of each rod where they are attached to the cable that flip up and allow you to disconnect the rods. This took me a bit of time since on the front door at least you're working in the blind. After that it's just a matter of attching the new cable and reconnecting the rods. Let me know if there is anything more I can do for you...

I got quite a bit of help from Qslim who is also on this forum. Here is a copy of the front door system. Sorry I don't have the rear door but I'm sure it is basically the same......Butch

This is out of your manual, the latch assembly is at about 8:30.
Did you disconnect the two control rods on the back side? They're tough to see, you almost have to do it by feel.