1997 - rear door mechanism not working

[eddie3825]

i have a 1997 explorer with the rear driver side door stuck closed. Will not open from inside or out . child lock is disengaged. all linkage looks to be intact . Is there a way to force the mechanism open from inside the door so i can get door open to replace with a new mechanism? FYI there is plug on the top section of the mech that was broken off, coule replacing the plug be a solution?

 

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum.

I moved your thread to our Stock 1995 - 2001 subforum.

 

[Rick]

[MENTION=9927]MONMIX[/MENTION] I thought you might have an answer to this question. I'm interested in learning what it would take as well.

The only thing I could think of is tripping the latch with a rod stuck between the window and the seal.

 

[Rick]

[MENTION=9927]MONMIX[/MENTION] I thought you might have an answer to this question. I'm interested in learning what it would take as well.

The only thing I could think of is tripping the latch with a rod stuck between the window and the seal.

 

[Nobody]

I've had this happend several years ago. There is a post here on how to open the door from the inside. You'll have to do the impossible task of removing the door panel from inside... It actually is possible. Then you'll have to manually pop the latch with a small screwdriver or pick. Not so easy, but possible. I did it all in the dark to keep the wife happy.

The really hard part now is going to be finding a new latch.

 

[swshawaii]

98 Ford Explorer Door Problems- how to open without panel removal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ0Fsh3561s

 

[eddie3825]

Thanks for the tips. I finally got the panel off and after much manuevering and cursing ogt the latch opened. soaked it in wd40 and got it cleaned up enough that it works again. guess i will do that to the other latches on the truck before they do the same thing