Door latch issues

[OPRN]

We have a '85 944 that the outer door trigger broke off, got a used one and after some difficulty replaced it. Worked fine for a while but now the door will not open from the inside or the outside. no combination of lock button/inside/outside handles will release it. They all feel like they are still hooked up and working too.

How do I get the door open to work on it without destroying something?

[Bradical]

Oh boy. Typically the inside door handle would work even if the linkage has an issue. It's going to be very tough to get access to the door linkage without the door opening and without destroying the door card itself. I am sure you tried getting the inner handle removed and seeing if there is anything that can be done from that vantage?

You might be able to get most of the door card out of the way with the door closed if you can get a stubby screwdriver to the bottom of the door and back the screws out that hold the door pocket and armrest on.

Please update us, I am curious to see how this works out. Good luck!

[IdahoDoug]

So that reminds me, my driver's outside door trigger requires a lot of force and only releases when it's almost out of room. Is this a known issue and what should I do? The car has only 59k on it and has been garaged all its life and not driven in the rain, etc. So I'm figuring it is hopefully a known design issue as I doubt its corrosion with the pampered life.

Thanks in advance and it will also shed light on the OP's needs I suspect.

Doug

[OPRN]

That is exactly how this problem started but I left it too long and the trigger broke. Normally it's a matter of the latch mechanism getting road dust in it and the original grease drying out over time. If you catch it soon enough, wash and re-grease it all is well.

We left it perhaps until something is too worn or bent a bit.

[944 Ecology]

It almost sounds like the locking part (the part connected to the key tumbler and the lock button) is not doing its job. That would keep the latch trigger from unlatching.

[OPRN]

I do believe you are correct.

[944 Ecology]

If that is the case, you may be able to use a slim jim to pull the locking mechanism up to unlock the door.

[djnolan]

I know that if the outside door handle gets loose there will be enough play that the door won't unlock from the outside. If it gets that way tighten up the door handle screws.

Sounds like yours may be beyond that. Did you try going in from the other door or rolling down the window, and using needle nose pliers to pull up the lock while working the inside door handle? Vigorously work both back and forth it and it may pop.

[Swennydawg]

I'm doing that fun job right now! I've replaced everything but the trigger spring. If the door won't open,try (from the outside) pulsing the trigger with your finger and attempting to rock the door up and down and back and forth at the same time. Use someone on the inside to pull on the latch also. I've had some success with this in the past. A slim jim would allow you to push down on the opening arm,but the window track may get in the way. You can also get inside and remove the inner door latch and mess with the cable that operates the latch. Maybe a rod placed into the lock button hole and fish around the latch.Fun!

[OPRN]

All good ideas that have mostly been tried. I will have another go at it as soon as my blood pressure returns to normal...

[djnolan]

Think about which way the door handle migrates if it gets loose, and push it back the other way and see if it will work then.

[c5pilot]

Originally Posted by OPRN

That is exactly how this problem started but I left it too long and the trigger broke. Normally it's a matter of the latch mechanism getting road dust in it and the original grease drying out over time. If you catch it soon enough, wash and re-grease it all is well.

We left it perhaps until something is too worn or bent a bit.

Funny as I just thought last night on mine how I need to see why so much force is required. I better start looking now. Good luck as sounds like you will have as much fun accessing the door panel screws as I did the top bell housing bolts


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[IdahoDoug]

Top bell housing bolts (shudders). That was amazing. I got a cheap set of universal swivels to get up there with extensions. I literally did this 48 hours ago on our 1988 Toyota Supra and they were so easy to get to. 15 minutes. Many things like this seem literally designed to come apart during competition. I can remove the rear axles in 5 minutes flat, and the entire differential in 10. Crazy.

Thanks for the tips on the door handle. I will get in there and clean and grease the action.

[OPRN]

Good luck with that Doug! The mechanisms are very hard to access, the parts are very brittle so go gentle or you will be breaking things like we did! This chore takes the patience of Job!

[IdahoDoug]

OPRN,

Do you think there's an opportunity to simply insert the red spray tube of a white lithium grease canister in through a gap and shoot a bit of grease in, rather than risk opening it up?

[thomasryan]

with the window down, see if you can hook the plastic end of the dog bone. bend the last 3/16" end of a 8" thin flat head. with someone holding the key in the unlock position, push down on the plastic. if its broken, push on the ball.

I use motorcycle spray on chain wax but it gets stiff in the winter months.

[IdahoDoug]

From the instructions, I was kind of wondering if I can simply unscrew the phillips at the back of the door, then partly pop the outer handle off and gently flex it enough to get a red spray hose with white lithium grease right on the inside of the handle? Anyone?

[OPRN]

We finally found the time to address this issue yesterday!

Yes tomasryan, that is exactly what we ended up doing. Found the link has slipped off the door handle lock and had stuck in the "half mast" position which seems to disable even the inside lock button. Well that's the theory anyway as with it hooked back up it seems fine now. Not taking any chances, leaving the door pad off for a few days just in case...

Doug - yes try the spray grease. If it works it will save you a ton of time and frustration. If it doesn't and you still have to take it all apart to clean and lube and there is no harm done!

[IdahoDoug]

OK will do. Was waiting till summer temps arrive and the old plastic bits were warmed. Finally here and your post is well timed.

[OPRN]

Well we left the door pad off and the door worked perfectly so on it went.

Yup you guessed! The next day it did the same thing again!!