97 Explorer XLT 4dr Door issue's

[EmptyRoad]

Hi,

I just recently came onto some issues with my doors. Each one but my driver door has an issue. (unless you want to include the unlock button on my driver door not working a problem) but front right has a stuck lock it wont open and the inside handle I think the clip is needing replaced. As some told me that is the most likely cause. But as for the back two doors the one on the left it will open on the outside. While the inside seems to not be able to open. It will unlock like normal. I can even pull on the lock to unlock it. As for the other door, when I first got the car it had this problem. Looked like they did try to get to it. But they couldn't get into the panel as the door is stuck. Not sure what I can do with the door being stuck closed. Not sure if I need to cut up the panel and get a new one or what. But I just would like my doors to finally work. While I know I also have to replace the window motor to the front passenger side.

 

[XLTrunner]

First thing I'd do since you're down to one door operating is to lubricate the driver door latch. Don't want to have that one go south on you right now. Next I'd try working the lock knob rod at the top of the passenger side door up and down while trying to open the door from the outside. Can you grab it with some vice grips if unable to get a good hold? Try shooting some lubricant spray down thru the opening if you can unscrew the knob to gain some clearance. You might get lucky and get it to unlock. Unless your latch is rusty or stuck from sitting unused for a long period, I'm guessing the small spring inside the latch has broken and is jamming the lock rod from moving. If unsuccessful, you're only option is to remove the inner door panel...and, that will be a challenge with the door closed. To get familiar with how everything works inside the door, remove the driver front door panel. Otherwise, go visit a local U Pull junk yard.

 

[Eric1971]

When I got my '95 two years ago, I thought the previous owner had left the child-locks turn on the back doors because I couldn't open them from the inside. I had a 3 (now 5) year old child, so that was ok. Then one day I discovered it wasn't the child-locks! I had to replace the interior door handles to fix it. Not terribly expensive or difficult.

 

[DAN 88]

My experience with the door not opening from the inside has been either the child lock is activated or the plastic tab on the interior door handle is broken. I replaced my interior door handles for $7 each off of eBay. It’s really simple with only 2 screws after the panel is off. If you take off the panel for the door that doesn’t open from the outside and remove the interior handle, pull the rod manually with pliers to see if it opens. If it does, replace the interior handle. It is possible that the clip holding the exterior door handle lever has failed and that is also why it isn’t opening.

 

[MTiz]

When I got my 99 XLT back in October I was having similar issues as you. The left passenger door wouldn't open from the inside and the right passenger wouldn't open at all. We put a new interior handle from the junkyard on the left side (and a healthy amount of WD-40) and put in a new door actuator and an even healthier amount on the right-side door. Both have been working perfectly ever since.

 

[XLTrunner]

It's a process of elimination as several things can cause a door to not open. So, how did you get the right passenger side door open in order to replace the actuator (I assume you mean the latch mechanism as a dead lock actuator rod can still be manually raised and lowered to unlock a door)? This is what the OP was asking as it seems near impossible to remove the rear inner door panel with the door shut without destroying it.