Car door won’t unlock manually or with key fob. Door won’t open.

[cantdrv55]

Is there a way to get my drivers side passenger door to open without tearing apart the door card from the inside? I can’t unlock it and I can’t open the door from the inside or outside. I can’t get at the door clips around the door which means the door card won’t come off unless I go ballistic on it. I’m wondering if a locksmith with a slim Jim can get at the lock. I’ve seen it in the movies but not IRL. Is there another way? Thx.

[gregpark]

Battery good in the fob and the car?

[cstreit]

Does the inside handle feel loose - or stuck?

I wonder if the mechanism has come loose inside.

[asphaltgambler]

What make/ model?

[cantdrv55]

Battery is good. The other doors work just fine.

The lock sounds like it’s trying to unlock but doesn’t.

2003 Toyota Sequoia.

[fintstone]

[cantdrv55]

Thanks Fint!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Is there a way to get my drivers side passenger door to open without tearing apart the door card from the inside?

The left rear door.

I have worked on an 2008-ish Ford Escape without success, including tearing off the inner door panel. (Rear driver's side)

What I finally found, without executing, is you need to identify where you can destroy the door latch to flip whatever lever is necessary to set the latch to open.

My plan is to get a used latch and tear it down to see what needs to be moved to release the "jaw" then replace the door latch.

You might want to buy a snake camera from Harbor Freight. You might want to get an angle grinder to open a hole in the inner door to march on in and destroy the latch with whatever tools willl work.

I don't think this is routine or easy and frankly, it sucks that these latches can fail in this mode.

I hope I'm wrong.

[cantdrv55]

I’m taking apart the right rear door so I can see the innards.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I’m taking apart the right rear door so I can see the innards.

Good thinking. Keep me posted beause I can use the info.

[pwd72s]

Weird thought...maybe a squirt of WD40 could loosen a stuck lock?

[cantdrv55]

There’s no place to squirt oil tho. No key hole on the rear doors.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by cstreit

Does the inside handle feel loose - or stuck?

I wonder if the mechanism has come loose inside.

There are pull rods running to the latch on the side of the door. Held by plastic clips usually.
If those fall off, the handle just flaps and does nothing.

But having both of those (inside/outside) fail at the same time would be unusual.

[cantdrv55]

Agreed. I think the actuator itself is broken.

[john70t]

The passenger seat might be able to be removed to get to the inner door panel. But IDK.
A slim jim with seal wedge might provide access to the manual level.

Sounds like a gymnastic project..
Wish you the best of luck. Take it easy with those plastic clips.

[Superman]

A locksmith could likely have that door open in ten seconds.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Superman

A locksmith could likely have that door open in ten seconds.

Called the local locksmith and they said they work on the locks and not the latches.

[john70t]

Might be able to take off the inner door pull and snake a USB camera down to the latch

[MBAtarga]

I just replaced the driver's door lock actuator on my 08 Silverado PU last week. The GM lock actuators are a known failure point. Look on youtube - there is likely a video showing replacement for your vehicle. I bought the part of Amazon for less then $20. Of course - you'll have to get the door card off first.

[908/930]

I am not familiar with that lock but check if there is a return spring in the latch that is broken. I had a car years ago that this happened too, it would not unlock until the internals under the handle were back in to correct position.