Locked rear door

[iamjoey]

1999 Explorer XLT. Passenger side rear door is locked closed. The lock activator wants to push up but feels as though the lock assembly is frozen. The guy I bought it from said that he never used that door as he usually had work stuff piled yup alongside it. Any thoughts on how get the door open? Once open I can remove the door panel and WD40 the lock assembly until it breaks loose. Not surecI can get the panel off while the door is closed.

 

[nameskreen]

You can first try putting the window down and spraying some PBBlaster down inside the door. I'm not sure about the Explorers, but on some cars if you remove the belt molding. you can have some better access to the latch and lock rods.

 

[iamjoey]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[allmyEXes]

Can you unlock it manually from the inside?

 

[iamjoey]

Can you unlock it manually from the inside?

No.. The actuator lifts the lock button about halfway an d I can't get it above that. I've tried pulling it up at the same time I hit the unlock button on the front door. No luck. And if you pull on the exterior door handle you can feel the door lock binding. I am going to try some spray lubricant tomorrow through the window seal. Hopefully I'll get lucky

 

[XLTrunner]

Sounds exactly like how my front driver side door behaved. Fortunately, I was able to eventually pull the lock lever upwards with the gentle persuasion of some vice grips to unlock and open the door. Problem was that the small spring that is notorious for breaking had done just that and jammed inside the latch...preventing the linkage from working properly. As recommended, try squirting lubricant down from the top window channel and keep working the lock up and down. Good luck.

 

[iamjoey]

Sounds exactly like how my front driver side door behaved. Fortunately, I was able to eventually pull the lock lever upwards with the gentle persuasion of some vice grips to unlock and open the door. Problem was that the small spring that is notorious for breaking had done just that and jammed inside the latch...preventing the linkage from working properly. As recommended, try squirting lubricant down from the top window channel and keep working the lock up and down. Good luck.

Thanks! Will do.

 

[J_C]

I'm glad you guys had luck spraying lube down the window channel but I wouldn't want that all over the window track (unless it was silicone).

I'd sooner pull the seats for more working room... they're just bolted down?

 

[iamjoey]

You can first try putting the window down and spraying some PBBlaster down inside the door. I'm not sure about the Explorers, but on some cars if you remove the belt molding. you can have some better access to the latch and lock rods.

I bought some PBBlaster but before I used it I was able to unlock the door using vice grip to grab the lock rod and pull hard. It worked and the door opened. Took the panel off and soaked the door lock assembly with the silicon. It still sticks a bit but now I can unlock it with a tug up on the lock rod. D methinks for the help!

 

[XLTrunner]

Awesome! But, you best look inside the latch for that spring I was talking about. If it's broken and jammed in there, your problem will come and go until you either replace the latch or the spring.

 

[allmyEXes]

@iamjoey While you have the door panel off find the little clip that hooks the electric door lock solenoid to everything latch related and then use the door lock/unlock switch to see if that solenoid is good. I was wondering if one could jam or freeze up possibly keeping the door latch from being unlocked manually...

 

[Pete Deering]

@iamjoey While you have the door panel off find the little clip that hooks the electric door lock solenoid to everything latch related and then use the door lock/unlock switch to see if that solenoid is good. I was wondering if one could jam or freeze up possibly keeping the door latch from being unlocked manually...

Did you try to open it up from the outside. Make sure the button is up, unlock the doors from the driver front master switch. I am thinking maybe the the child lock is switched on. Door will not open from the inside, only outside

 

[iamjoey]

Did you try to open it up from the outside. Make sure the button is up, unlock the doors from the driver front master switch. I am thinking maybe the the child lock is switched on. Door will not open from the inside, only outside

Thanks. I got the door open.

 

[Pete Deering]

Thanks. I got the door open.

Did you changed the child lock switch, so it will open normally