moneyguy
Active Member
- Joined
- March 29, 2008
- Messages
- 53
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Nashua, NH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Explorer
I recently ran into a problem with my rear doors on my '00 Explorer. They wouldn't unlock. Here is how I got them opened without damaging anything. The latch used in the pictures is the drivers door latch because I had already replaced it some time ago. All the latches are pretty much similar though.
1. Remove the door panel. This can be done fairly easily with the doors closed. No pics of this because it's too dark out.
2. Place a flashlight inside the door so it shines on the back side of the latch.
3. Find this hole
4. Insert a small screw driver or wavy pick (similar to the one in the picture) into the hole. You want the blade of the screwdriver pointing up and down.
5. Move the screw driver towards the inside of the car and the door should open.
The problem with my rear door latches was that they don't get used very often. They were rusty and crappy. I sprayed the crap out of them with carburator cleaner and penetrating oil and moved all the mechanisms till they moved freely. Replacing them is definatly the reccomend fix for them though. I hope this helps.
1. Remove the door panel. This can be done fairly easily with the doors closed. No pics of this because it's too dark out.
2. Place a flashlight inside the door so it shines on the back side of the latch.
3. Find this hole
4. Insert a small screw driver or wavy pick (similar to the one in the picture) into the hole. You want the blade of the screwdriver pointing up and down.
5. Move the screw driver towards the inside of the car and the door should open.
The problem with my rear door latches was that they don't get used very often. They were rusty and crappy. I sprayed the crap out of them with carburator cleaner and penetrating oil and moved all the mechanisms till they moved freely. Replacing them is definatly the reccomend fix for them though. I hope this helps.