Exterior door handle inoperable

[Vincent96SR5]

Driver's door will not open. Seems like exterior door handle has disconnected from mechanical gear on the inside of the door. Have the FSM/instructions to disassemble door. Am wondering if anyone else here as done the repair and has pics/helpful tips.

Thanks

 

[brian2sun]

I had to fix mine a while back. A little plastic linkage piece broke so I zip-tied it up and no more problems. Once you pop all the plastic rivets out and unscrew the 2 screws by the inner handle, there's a lip on the top of the panel that "hooks" the panel onto the window area. Just lift straight up once the panel is loose.

 

[Vincent96SR5]

Thanks for the help!

 

[97-4xFunner]

Also, just push the door handle through the door panel when removing the panel instead of removing the handle. I had the same problem, zip tie has been in place and working for over six months now.

 

[jspagna1]

You will need to take the door panel off and see what is up in there. It could be like the guys said, the the plastice clip broke and you can zip tie it. In my case the handle had broke and therefore I have to replace the handle completely. Try and make sure you get the same year if you need to replace. The first handle I had was from a 99 and the door just would not open without putting a little muscle into it, then I got one from a 97 and the same color as my truck and it worked out perfectly.

 

[Vincent96SR5]

Thanks

The fix was simple. Just used a zip-tie like you said. Attaching a pic for anyone who has this problem and searches the thread for it.

 

[Coach58]

Pulling the door panel to access door handle

These threads have been very informative for the same issue I'm personally dealing with...broken door handle mechanism. However, what's stumping me is the removal of the panel itself. HOW DO YOU POP THEM OFF AND SNAP THEM BACK IN?
Is there a certain tool needed? I popped out and peaked in the side of the panel and I can see that the plastic rivets 'slide' in sideways. WILL THIS BE AN ISSUE? Or, do they just pop back in?
I'd hate to pull off the panel and not be able to reassemble it.
Thanks for any input.

 

[Coach58]

No need to all caps. The plastic 'rivets' will just pop right back into the door (you keep them on the panel when reinstalling). Once all the screws are out you just pull the panel out by hand popping the plastic clips free. Takes some force but you won't break anything. The link in my sig called Door Panel Removal may be helpful. Let us know if you have any more questions.

Great! Thanks.
However, just minutes ago...the door locked when I put the window down and now the door won't open or fully shut from the inside (or outside). The locks won't go up and down either.
How should I proceed from here?

 

[Coach58]

Locked Door

I rolled the window down and it stopped half way and popped my door open (while I was driving). I couldn't re-shut the door. I think I triggered the locking mechanism. I stopped and moved the door latch with my key and it allowed me to shut the door so I could continue to drive. When I stopped, I couldn't open the door...from the inside or (obviously) the outside. The door lock won't go up or down. It just activates the electronic locks and makes the usual noise. Oh, and the panel is still on the truck...I hadn't gotten to it yet.

 

[Coach58]

I rolled the window down and it stopped half way and popped my door open (while I was driving). I couldn't re-shut the door. I think I triggered the locking mechanism. I stopped and moved the door latch with my key and it allowed me to shut the door so I could continue to drive. When I stopped, I couldn't open the door...from the inside or (obviously) the outside. The door lock won't go up or down. It just activates the electronic locks and makes the usual noise. Oh, and the panel is still on the truck...I hadn't gotten to it yet.

Ok, right now, the driver side door is completely shut, locked and neither one of the door handles will function. The driver side door lock is jammed and won't go up or down. The electric locks will operate the rest of the doors however, the drivers lock only moves a few fractions. I can't get it to move with my hand either.
My situation just worsened!

 

[Coach58]

OK - It appears that both door handles have disconected from the door mechanism. My situation now is that I have to get the panel off while the door is shut. I've looked at this from several angles and I just don't see how that's supposed to happen. Can these doors be jimmied open by having AAA or a lock smith come out?
I await your response.
Thanks!

 

[Coach58]

The exterior was broken first and if I didn't put the window down, I wouldn't be in this mess. Something happened when I put the window down.
Thanks for the time and attention to my, well...mess.
I'll let you know how it plays out.
Good suggestions though...at least the first two.
Thanks.

 

[CD2010]

I'm having the same multiple door handle/window issues on my 97. Were you able to come up with a solution?

 

[Rock]

Exact same thing happened to me too!

Wish I had known about the ziptie workaround!

 

[hcck3d]

Just used this thread to fix mine. worked out great.

 

[lfurr704]

Great! Thanks.
However, just minutes ago...the door locked when I put the window down and now the door won't open or fully shut from the inside (or outside). The locks won't go up and down either.
How should I proceed from here?

My 1999 4 Runner is doing the same thing. I rolled the window down while driving,heard a loud noise and the door popped open. Held it closed. Got out, shut the door,now it will not open AT ALL. The electric locks work on all of the other locks ,but, not the driver's door. the lock seems stuck,"halfway". How to take the panel off if door will not open? Could not be opened with slim jim or by AAA driver trying to lift lock. Any help is appreciated. Tired of crawling over the seat.

 

[savior85]

1988 Door Handle Link Assembly

Would anyone happen to know the part number for the "link" which connects the 1988 4runner exterior driver handle to the lock mechanism.

I researched and managed to find a solution for the plastic piece. somehow the metal link broke before the plastic...