adriangriffin

I just replaced a door handle on the rear door of my 1988 5000. I put the door panel back on and after I locked the door, it will not open either from the inside or outside. How do I (a) open the door or (b) get the door panel off, so I can work on the lock.

I saw the seat cushion trick in an earlier post, but as far as I can tell, the door *must* be open to remove the panel.

Audios69

remove the panel on the door panel, cut a hole in it, manually open the door. glue the panel back on.

FmWhitaker

I had similar problem once. was able to figure out how assy. worked by examining another door and than with a strong piece of strong, stiff, wire was able to get into the crack of door between corner post and latch assembly and release the mechanism. make sure when you experiment with the other door that you simulate the latch in the closed position with the door open. You can than see how this releases. Good Luck Fred

adriangriffin

Luckily for me, the door released. I am not sure what did it. I took the ashtray block out, peered inside and wiggled the pull rods. No luck. Then after an hour of staring and pulling the lock button and latches, the door released. Should this happen again, I am not sure I could reach with a wire to push the hook that holds the lock closed. I might have to sacrifice the door panel as Audios69 suggested.

BTW this problem may not have been anything to do with replacing the door handle. The owners manual specifically says that the air locks work slowly in cold weather and that the lock can be damaged if you try to open the door before the buttons have come up all the way. I think that this is what I did.