Passenger door pull-tab just pulls up with no friction and no action (stuck locked)

[enginelover]

I have three problems which happened almost simultaneously on my base 2wd 1997 4Runner, one of which is the driver side passenger door lock pull-tab just pulls up with no friction and no action (so the door is stuck locked).

It can't be opened from the inside or from the outside.

I suspect I need to open up the door panel, but before I do that, can you give advice as to how to open the panel up as I've never done that.

Also, is this a common problem?

Do you think it might be purely mechanical or perhaps electrical?

 

[spartacus]

I have three problems which happened almost simultaneously on my base 2wd 1997 4Runner, one of which is the driver side passenger door lock pull-tab just pulls up with no friction and no action (so the door is stuck locked).

It can't be opened from the inside or from the outside.

I suspect I need to open up the door panel, but before I do that, can you give advice as to how to open the panel up as I've never done that.

Also, is this a common problem?

Do you think it might be purely mechanical or perhaps electrical?

It could be a number or things. The clips holding the mechanical rods could break. Take the panel out and check.

. https://www.youtube.com/watch?is=oZBc6lHbB4VVy8iC&v=oeSUS_rGKAo&feature=youtu.be

 

[phattyduck]

Do you think it might be purely mechanical or perhaps electrical?

Do you have power locks? If so, have they stopped working on that door? There is no way to electrically disconnect the manual lock actuator from the lock mechanism.

It will be very hard to get in the door panel with a non-working lock (door stuck closed). Practice on the working side to see if it will be possible. You need to remove the inner door handle and a few screws hidden under the inside door pull (pull off cloth inner trim). Check for hidden-ish plastic 'rivet' fasteners too, then pry out around the bottom and lift up the panel where it hangs in the door frame.

-Charlie

 

[brillo_76]

I am suspecting the plastic rod holder broke as Spartacus suggested, and the rod fell out of the lock assembly. Would explain the friction. However, like phattyduck says. Not easy to work on at all. Especially if you cant open the door at all. :-(

 

[pluton]

Prying/lifting that panel off and getting to the inside of the door mech is always done with the door open or at least ajar. Someone must have gotten the door unlatched in the past. On old cars, slim jim tools directly lifted an internal lever that unlatched the door, but these vehicles may have come too late in car theft history for that to work.
Buy or order a few (6 or 8) of the plastic retainer pin things that hold the interior trim panel to the door frame. Often, a few break when you are gently prying the int. trim panel off.

 

[phattyduck]

Prying/lifting that panel off and getting to the inside of the door mech is always done with the door open or at least ajar. Someone must have gotten the door unlatched in the past. On old cars, slim jim tools directly lifted an internal lever that unlatched the door, but these vehicles may have come too late in car theft history for that to work.
Buy or order a few (6 or 8) of the plastic retainer pin things that hold the interior trim panel to the door frame. Often, a few break when you are gently prying the int. trim panel off.

If the window is able to be rolled down, it may be easier/possible to get in there with a tool. That's why I suggested opening the far side door and comparing. I don't remember the specifics inside the door - but that's where I would start.

-Charlie

 

[spartacus]

I have three problems which happened almost simultaneously on my base 2wd 1997 4Runner, one of which is the driver side passenger door lock pull-tab just pulls up with no friction and no action (so the door is stuck locked).

It can't be opened from the inside or from the outside.

I suspect I need to open up the door panel, but before I do that, can you give advice as to how to open the panel up as I've never done that.

Also, is this a common problem?

Do you think it might be purely mechanical or perhaps electrical?

This would help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?is=igZkJoQ3qbTThY51&v=CcYaJKlhX5s&feature=youtu.be