How to open the door if your handle isn't functioning
I was completely locked out while my Sport was running, and it had a full tank of gas. I was locked out because the drivers door was the only one unlocked and the outside handle was broken. I got in through the back glass rather easily (after waisting nearly an hour trying the old coat hanger gag) Long story short Ive learned about the door latches on my 2000 Explorer Sport. I was lucky enough that day to have that opening rear window, which is also how we will get your door open and hopefully fixed.
With the back glass open pull the Interior panel away from the door
-More like pry the top of it if you are outside
-if Inside just remove the 2 screws that are under the hanging handle
Locate two Yellow and White Clips
-clips are connected to two similarly shaped long bars
-The bars should run parallel to each other heading toward opposite ends of the door.
Open the Clips(by hand or a flathead if necessary)
-Once the bar is free from the clips it can fall further down into the door so be sure to hold them onec Un-clipped
Push outward on the bars.
-You will hear a click which means the latch released on that side.
Once the door is open take the cover off completely
-6 clips you can pull out of the top part, then slide the panel up to release the hooks connecting the bulk of the panel (this is assuming that you have taken out the two screws underneath the hanging handle)
Also remove the vent and Water guard
-Pull straight out on the clip while being careful not to damage the vent
Remove the two Gold colored Screws
-They are connected to a plastic handle on the door
Look inside and find which rod/clip has broken on you
-Its trial and error but move the mechanism and look thouroughly before unhooking anything.
-Its fairly simple to diagnose your issue once the door is open and the panels are off.
Hope this helps someone
Thx
Josh
BCarSmart Inc