Door Handle and Lock

[terminator0723]

Hello. I have a 1998 Explorer. From inside the vehicle the drivers side door handle is in the 'open' position like somebody was pulling it to open the door but its stuck there. It wont go back into it's normal place. I have to roll the window down and open the door from the outside. Once outside when I lock the doors the lock only goes half way down. I can pull the door handle and the door will come right open when it's locked. The alarm goes off though.. Its like the outter handle has no tension on it either. While driving down the HWY you can hear the outside door handle just flapping in the wind.. Anybody have a clue what could be wrong with it? Or any suggestions or anything?

Thanks

 

[Turdle]

You need to replace both the inner and outer door handles--
the outer wears, then fails to push rod all the way into the home position, which then causes the mechanism to jam, and break the inner handle. Also, because the rod is not all the way up, the door will not lock.

 

[DR98]

Read this thread on how to do it- http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165081


Dean

 

[terminator0723]

thanks guys!

 

[terminator0723]

I just went and pulled the door panel off.. one of the teeth are missing on the door handle and it did something when you pulled it to the open position that woulden't all it to return.. Since Fords Parts Dept. was closed I just switched the front one and the rear one.. It works But still it won't lock... Coulden't play with the lock any... ran out of day light