1996 Explorer driver's side door handle (inside) does not work.

[macdowell]

Hello all - I have searched the threads but cant find a similar issue that i'm having regarding my drivers side door handle (Inside) I currently have to roll the window down and exit the vehicle by using the exterior handle; when i pull the interior handle, nothing happens. Any ideas or suggestions. Thanks in advance -

Fred

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounds like the rod clip broke or came off. This thread was moved into the stock 95-01 section. I've deleted your other thread since it's the same as this one.

 

[Curtis]

Ive replaced this interior handle on my 96 many times.

When you pull the handle, there are plastic teeth that move another part in the handle so that the rod will open the latch.

Those teeth break, so pulling the handle does nothing.

You will need a new handle. They are Left and Right specific.
A junk yard piece should be about $5

 

[Curtis]

New ones on fleebay for $11
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...rer+interior+handle&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[JamesinTX]

I have the same problem with my rear door. Except, the door handle seemed to be "stuck" in the open position...meaning as you pull the latch, it was stuck at 45 degrees. I pulled the door panel off according to the directions I've seen on other websites and was able to pull the door handle off. Couldn't see what was preventing it from "closing". As I applied pressure, the door snapped back into place. But, when I thought I fixed the handle and put it back onto the door, I noticed that as I pulled on the handle, while the spring would still spring the handle back into a closed position, the eye (hole) behind the assembly that the door handle release rod clips onto doesn't move. I would expect that as I pulled on the handle, it would pull on the rod. Is the eye(hole) behind the assembly supposed to react/pull as I pull the handle? I'm assuming 'yes'. Trying to see if I have a problem with the handle or a problem with the rod. Any help would be great! Thanks.

James C.

 

[Curtis]

I have the same problem with my rear door. Except, the door handle seemed to be "stuck" in the open position...meaning as you pull the latch, it was stuck at 45 degrees. I pulled the door panel off according to the directions I've seen on other websites and was able to pull the door handle off. Couldn't see what was preventing it from "closing". As I applied pressure, the door snapped back into place. But, when I thought I fixed the handle and put it back onto the door, I noticed that as I pulled on the handle, while the spring would still spring the handle back into a closed position, the eye (hole) behind the assembly that the door handle release rod clips onto doesn't move. I would expect that as I pulled on the handle, it would pull on the rod. Is the eye(hole) behind the assembly supposed to react/pull as I pull the handle? I'm assuming 'yes'. Trying to see if I have a problem with the handle or a problem with the rod. Any help would be great! Thanks.

James C.

When you applied pressure to the handle, you broke off the teeth. Ive done it too. I have han multiple handle failures all on the rear passenger door.
Sometimes the teeth just fail and the handle does nothing.
Other times, it seems the teeth can skip. Meaning they are not broken but the handle is stuck out. When you try to push it back, the teeth break.
Either way you need a new handle.

To try to make this clearer, I just dug out my extra handle and took a picture and video.

 

[JamesinTX]

Curtis,
Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to see. That video showing the hole/eye not moving confirms that I needed new handles. Sucks that it happened on both rear doors! I just ordered got a pair off ebay and will be fixing it soon.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

James

 

[Curtis]

Curtis,
Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to see. That video showing the hole/eye not moving confirms that I needed new handles. Sucks that it happened on both rear doors! I just ordered got a pair off ebay and will be fixing it soon.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

James

Excellent!
Glad I could help