Removing door panel, but the door won't open.

[Liquid Drummer]

I searched and searched, and then searched some more but couldn't find anything that wil help me out.

The problem I am having at the moment is that my driver's side door will not unlock with either the key or from the inside. It feels as if the connecting rod (manual locks) is bent or something is in the way because the interior lock switch will not physically move all the way to the unlock position. You can also feel the obstruction if you use the key on the outside of the car, it will go fine into the "lock" position but won't move over far enough to become unlocked. Since the problem is both in and outside the car I am lead to believe that it is the actual bar and not the key cylinder on the exterior of the car.

I have searched and have found many tutorials on getting the door panel off and having a look at the connecting rod for the lock, but this doesn't help me just yet. I need a tutorial on how to either;

A - Get the door skin off without opening the door (won't happen as I can't get the side screws and I don't feel like breaking anything ATM)

or

B - Get the door open and unlocked without using the interior or exterior locking mechanisms

I have no idea how I am going to get this done so I am asking for your help. How can I get the door to open when I can't unlock it from the interior or exterior of the car? Passenger door works like a charm so I am currently sliding over my centre console...

 

[flyinghighlm]

Mine did something like this and it took 2 people but one person was inside holding the lock in the unlock position pushing like hell on it and the other person was on the outside basically jerking on the door and it finaly gave enough for it to open. It took alot or redneck engineering and some swearing but it opened.....let me know if it works for you too.

 

[Coder24]

Try the lock again...Cuss...Try Again...Cuss some more...Rip the door panel apart and kick it accross the yard....cuss some more...goto a junkyard and get a new door panel.

Ok enough with that. My 94 dl did the same thing but only from the outside. What happend to mine is that the arm and lock has coroaded and couldnt lock or unlock. Go to your local hardware store and get a can of PB Blaster and spray alot into the inside of the lock. If that doesn't work to get it open from the outside take a electric saw/drimel/cutting device and cut the door panel open and just goto the junkyard to get a new one. They will charge you like 10 bucks. But their is always the option of going to your locksmith but they cant fix your lock unless he can get to it to take it apart.

 

[Injenpwr]

Mine did something like this and it took 2 people but one person was inside holding the lock in the unlock position pushing like hell on it and the other person was on the outside basically jerking on the door and it finaly gave enough for it to open. It took alot or redneck engineering and some swearing but it opened.....let me know if it works for you too.

Yea, you're going to need to get the door "open" , and the only relalistic option would be what flyinghighlm did. Grab some buddies and be persistant. That's the only way you'll be able to have access to your panel where the rods are located. Good luck and keep us updated...