driver door will not open

[cicicole]

Help! I have a 1999 Explorer Sport. The driver door will not open with alarm fob or with key. Door handle feels like it is not attached to anything. Door will not open from the inside either. Makes noise like it wants to work - but does not. Alarm fob opens up passenger door & hatch. Have to crawl in from passenger side ... super sucks.
anyone have any idea on how to fix this without going to a Ford dealership and spending $100's ? I tried searching the forum for solutions - but the site is not very intuitive.
thank you!

 

[swshawaii]

How To: Drivers Exterior Door Handle Replacement
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165081

See YouTube "How to open without panel removal" in OP.

 

[rwcfrank]

I had a similar problem with my drivers side back door, had to pull the seats to remove the door panel so I could pop the door from inside. Broken spring on lock mechanism.

 

[koda2000]

I had the same thing happen periodically on my '97 Sport. Small broken spring in the door latch. I was able to remove the broken spring and it has worked fine ever since. As you can't even open the door there are no easy/inexpensive answers.

 

[Bobmbx]

I had a similar problem with my drivers side back door, had to pull the seats to remove the door panel so I could pop the door from inside. Broken spring on lock mechanism.

This was my experience with a '99 Mountaineer front passenger door.