Door won't open from inside or outside

[MillerPKA]

Well I'm pretty sure I know where I went wrong, but I can't get the damn door open to fix it.

My passenger rear door wasn't locking electronically so I decided to dive into the locking actuator. Ended up pulling the one from my donor door and replacing the internals from it. Somewhere in reassembling the locking and handle assembly I forgot to hook the lever line back into the latch, so now this thing closed and I can't get any action from the inside or outside.

Any help would be grrrreatly appreciated. Good news is the actuator now works!

 

[slowpoke99]

That sucks!!! That happened to me on my '88 but I was able to remove the door panel to get it open. I know the panels on our 3rd gens are a little different because of the plastic push lock tab thingys on the forward/hinge side of the panel up against the dash. I'm looking at mine right now trying to figure out a way to get in.

 

[kball]

Doubt it without any levers hooked up but maybe a slim jim would work..?? Only other thing I can think of is rip the inside cover off and replace it with a junkyard one if it gets too messed up.

 

[shootmymime]

Doubt it without any levers hooked up but maybe a slim jim would work..?? Only other thing I can think of is rip the inside cover off and replace it with a junkyard one if it gets too messed up.

i agree with the slim jim idea.
if you know how the inside internals work you can try and stick something down there to grab the latch.

good luck because your in a tight spot.

 

[1blink]

Have you tried pulling the inside handle and grabbing the bar with pliers?

 

[IBallEngineer]

Have you tried pulling the inside handle and grabbing the bar with pliers?

Over 30 years in the body shop industry I saw this sort of thing a lot. We often were able to get the interior panel off, but not always. Sometimes we sacrificed the outside handle. Take your opposite side panel off, and identify your options, then be patient. We struggled with an Audi A4 once, and finally decided the least expensive option was the interior panel at $300. Maybe you can find one ahead of time and it won't be a scary thing to rip up your old one.

 

[TheDurk]

This may help.

It won't be easy. If the lock end was left loose, I see no option other than going through the panel. If the lever end was left loose (unlikely), you might be able to snag it with a slim Jim. There is only that tiny lever on the mechanism to get the door to open if it is loose at that end. Good luck.

 

[MillerPKA]

All fixed up. With a little finesse and the seat bottom unbolted its fairly easy to take off the panel with the door shut. Once I rigged it to open I took everything out and broke it all down, then built it back up piece by piece and reinstalled. Never thought I'd get so familiar with those internals but I'm real glad I did.

 

[slowpoke99]

That's good to hear! Unfortunately finesse is something I don't have. I looked at mine with the door shut and I can honestly say that it wouldn't have been pretty. I'm glad it all worked out for you:cheers:

 

[BrianSD_42]

[MENTION=8329]MillerPKA[/MENTION]

On another note ... you going to the meetup tomorrow?

Its going to be at Fiesta Island @ noon.

 

[MillerPKA]

Actually yeah I should be able to make that. I'll pm you my cell
[MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION] I'm guessing you aren't coming to this one?

Also, would anybody be interested in a write up on how to service these actuators? I won't be doing one unless someone explicitly asks.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Actually yeah I should be able to make that. I'll pm you my cell
@ChildrenOfBodom I'm guessing you aren't coming to this one?

Also, would anybody be interested in a write up on how to service these actuators? I won't be doing one unless someone explicitly asks.

I'd love to but I can't make weekend meets

 

[brandon1]

I just went through the steps to replace the actuator motor (rather than the entire actuator assembly) on the passenger side rear door. Put it back in and the can confirm the actuator motor now works! But when I closed the door to do a full test, like the original poster, I cannot open from the inside or outside.

I have a 5th generation - 2014 4runner. I was able to remove the entire inside panel, I just can't find anything that will manually move the latch an open the door.

Can anybody help me with what I should be looking for? Again, actuator motor works (I can hear it moving), but the door latch will not open from the inside or outside...I must have missed a step in the reassembly of the actuator. I have the entire inside panel exposed...just can't find what I need to manually move/pull/push to release the latch and open the door, so I can remove the three bolts in the side portion of the door, and get the assembly out to repair.

I also tried removing the panel from the other rear door but couldn't see anything to help identify where to unlatch the door manually.

Any help would be so appreciated!

Brandon

ps tried posting this in the 5th generation forum, but it says I don't have enough posts to make a new post...so thought this was the next best place, since same issue (though different generation 4runner)

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I just went through the steps to replace the actuator motor (rather than the entire actuator assembly) on the passenger side rear door. Put it back in and the can confirm the actuator motor now works! But when I closed the door to do a full test, like the original poster, I cannot open from the inside or outside.

I have a 5th generation - 2014 4runner. I was able to remove the entire inside panel, I just can't find anything that will manually move the latch an open the door.

Can anybody help me with what I should be looking for? Again, actuator motor works (I can hear it moving), but the door latch will not open from the inside or outside...I must have missed a step in the reassembly of the actuator. I have the entire inside panel exposed...just can't find what I need to manually move/pull/push to release the latch and open the door, so I can remove the three bolts in the side portion of the door, and get the assembly out to repair.

I also tried removing the panel from the other rear door but couldn't see anything to help identify where to unlatch the door manually.

Any help would be so appreciated!

Brandon

ps tried posting this in the 5th generation forum, but it says I don't have enough posts to make a new post...so thought this was the next best place, since same issue (though different generation 4runner)

You have a 5th gen, this is a 3rd gen page. You also posted on a thread that's been dead for more than 4 years. You might want to start a new thread in the 5th gen section. You're much more likely to get the help you need that way.

 

[brandon1]

Thank you, I realize that. See the ps I wrote at the bottom of the post. I suppose I could tack this onto another thread inside the 5th gen forum, but thought it was more pertinent here, given the issue.

 

[brandon1]

I figured out why I couldn’t post, being a new member. I’ll repost in 5th gen forum once I can. Thanks!