Can’t open door from inside

[mazawa]

I have a ‘86 Coupe, passenger door is not opening from inside. Replaced the plastic handle with anodized aluminum, replaced the linkage and plastic retainers. Pulling the handle almost 180 degrees out, the latch will finally release (feels like it’s going to break). Not sure if there is a cable (stretched out) linking to door latch. Checked several manuals but they don’t go into any details. Any info would help, thanks.

[Discseven]

Maz... for clarity... door opens after interior pull-handle moves 180 degrees?

[mazawa]

Yes, door finally opens. I have the linkage at the shortest length - I’m thinking that whatever the linkage attaches to is either stretched out or is moving out of position.

Also, need to mention that the handle does not retract completely towards the arm rest.

[Discseven]

Fact that it opens means the cable and mechanisms are connected and working. I have an '80 that I've had my door apart but it's been a while since doing that work. Am going to look into my photo file to see if there's any images that shed light on this. I think I know what may have happened but before shooting my mouth off... want to see my pics.

Makes sense that handle would not fully return.

[steely]

I'm looking at my pics too.
The first pull rod (link) that connects to the handle is adjustable like a turnbuckle.
It goes to a bell crank, and then to a bowden cable.

I never had issue with mine, but I did have some with the lock mechanism itself - which I removed, cleaned & lubed.

Circled rod on left in pic is the one I am talking about, cable is on the right.
Or is this what you say you adjusted already?

[Discseven]

These pics are inside of '80 door. Unless someone advises otherwise, am thinking workings are close to being the same.

There are two connections that secure the door latch release cable. One is the pivot in the door that's close to the handle. On mine there are two screws securing that pivot to the door. Second is back by the latching mechanism. There are two fasteners there---you can see a cable retention plate hanging loose in second pic.

It's possible one of these securing points for the cable has come loose. Before diving into the door, wait for confirmation from another or others as to this opinion and whether or not your door is similar to '80. If you detach your metal pull handle from the rod and pull on the rod, you might be able to sense whether the play is nearby as in the pivot being loose, or possibly you can feel/hear the pivot working in which case the issue is towards the rear. Notice the cable is solid in pic here---unlikely it would stretch. An endoscope is a cool tool that allows insight into these kind of issues. They're cheap too. Need one with an adjustable light.

[steely]

This is the only view I have with the adjustable pull rod near the bottom there.

[steely]

Just seeing Karl's pics, much better!

[Discseven]

Dan, for my continuing ed... looking at my '80 and knowing your '87 door, are they a very close mechanical match?

[steely]

Unfortunately I don't have any in-situ shots and it's been 10 years, but they certainly look very similar.

I just looked at the rod, cable and lock part nos for the 78-83 and the '89 PET catalog, and they're identical for the most part. (slight variations of course for LH and RH and coupe/targa/cab.

I do have a pic of the mechanism for comparison.

[Discseven]

Thanks for that. Looks a match to me.

I'd say if you don't have an endoscope Maz, remove the door handle in order to move the pull bar (that connects to the anodized pull handle) around to determine if the mounting bracket for the pivot has come loose. Removal of the door handle will allow pushing and pulling the rod at different angles. That's where I'd head with this first.

[mazawa]

Everyone thanks, I will dig into the door this weekend. Great pics, again thanks.