Drivers exterior door handle not working

[PitbullRescuer]

Left work tonight, went to open my truck, door unlatched (to the point like it wasn't closed all the way) but that was it. Opens fine from inside though. Then went to put the window down and seemed like it jumped off track. Went back up with no issues though.

Guessing it's just a clip or something but anyone have any advice?

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

sounds like a door panel surgery is in order... i hate door panel work, wish i had some advice for you

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Thanks man, I don't like it either. I got good at it on my 540 just because the window regulators use to break a lot. But I've never had one apart on one of these so I guess we'll see.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

That's what I get for not searching. Feel free to throw rocks at me guys...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61143-exterior-door-handle-inoperable.html

 

[Millerad1651]

Don't know of its similar or not, but my wife's Escape has plastic clips/retaining pins that hook the door rod to the handle. One broke, and the door wouldn't work from the outside. It was only a $2 part, and it snapped in place. But it was a PITA to get to. I'd look at the handle mechanism from the inside.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Yeah, looks like these use the same thing. I think I'm going to zip tie the rod back to the clip though. That way once it's on there, it isn't moving again.

 

[kball]

It's not too difficult to get to. My write up might help you out.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/79145-door-lock-replacement-96-runner.html

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Kball, thanks man. Always good to know where those clips are before I start prying.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

fixed it this morning. Had it done in about 10 minutes. But, I took the interior door handle rod out of it's guide so I didn't bend it. Put it all back together, went to Advance Auto to pick up some carwash soap, went to get out, wouldn't open. Dumb ass me forgot to put the rod back in the guide. 2nd time was a charm.

 

[Rock]

Happened to me too. Yellow plastic on a rod cracked into pieces.