Can't Open Driverside Door

[mabrams]

I am trying to sell a 1998 Explorer Sport for a friend who is out of the country, and for some reason the driverside door will not unlock or open. I know that there could be a variety of problems...the locking mechanism, the latch, a relay, etc. but I don't even know how to begin to work on this problem if I can't get the door open and the door panel off. Has anyone ever had, or heard of a problem like this before. I am kind of at a lose, and don't really know where to go from here when I can't get the door panel off. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I want to get this fixed and sell the truck soon.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Mr Wiggles]

My 98 did this not long ago. Turned out it was the latch in the door.

I went to the local auto wrecker to figure out how to take one apart, took it apart, and then went to ford to get a new one. I think it was around $90 and SUPER easy to do once i took the one apart at the wrecker. Good luck!

 

[gijoecam]

Will the door unlock, but not open, or will it not unlock in the first place?

 

[Mr Wiggles]

When mine went it didn't unlock or open.

I had to force it to unlock and basically bend the rod in the outside handle to get it open.

 

[tobybul]

new to forum... have similar problem with my 97 drivers door. started with outside latch losing its spring tension - just flops around but still able to open door. inside latch works fine. door lock does not work consistently.

will open it up this weekend. called dealer and part is around $40. hopefully this is the right part. won't know till I open it.

 

[booda]

Hello,If the outside door hanlde just goes up and down with no tension,then it's just the handle,And if the inside door handle doesnt work either then it's the linkage.Get a slim jim and open the door from the outside,as if you locked your keys in the vehicle,them you can get the panel off.

 

[tobybul]

Hello,If the outside door hanlde just goes up and down with no tension,then it's just the handle,And if the inside door handle doesnt work either then it's the linkage.Get a slim jim and open the door from the outside,as if you locked your keys in the vehicle,them you can get the panel off.

thanks. the inside latch works fine. I took panel off yesterday and checked mechanism. Found springs on each end of the dooe handle to be loose or broken. Small piece laying on inside bottom of door.

I'm afraid I may have to replce the handle since I believe you have to buy handle assembly. What do y'all think.

 

[booda]

Yes handle is cheap on e-bay,unless it's a painted one.Remeber it is rivoted on from the outside,so you need big rivets.