Can't open door from inside

Hi, Recently I tried to open my driver's door (the engine was running and it may have been in gear) and it refused to open. I thougth "ooops - safety feature" so I put the gear box in PARK and turned the engine off - still no joy. So now I exit by opening the window and sticking my hand out and using the exterior handle, then closing the window - great fun. Has anybody any ideas? I suspect a linkage has gone inside the door panel. Does anyone have instructions for removing this? Much thanks

quick guess off the top of my head... does the door handle feel easy to pull like there is no resistance against it now?? When you pull the door handle you are basically pulling a cable to release the latch, simple guess would be that the cable has come off the handle.

To check, pull the handle open and undo the screw behind the handle. Once removed you can then get the door handle surround off and if I remember correctly you can then see the cable thats linked to the handle. Check its seated ok and when you pull the handle that its actually pulling the cable.

If it is then I guess it will be something to do with the latch. In which case you will need to have the door card off. To remove the door card make sure the door handle surround is removed like I said above, then remove the 2 screws underneath the handle you use to pull the door closed. Next pull off the black triangle piece of plastic at the very front of the door, it usually holds a tiny speaker for the stereo system. You just pull the surround straight backwards towards you, it may take some force but it will just pop off. Once you have removed that undo the screw which is hidden behind the black surround. Next get something long metal and flat, something like a screw driver but put a rag or some protection round the end of it. Then very gently slide the flat object between the door card and the door metal. Very gently pry the door card towards you (so push the screwdriver away from you) and you will probably hear a loud kind of popping which is normal as the clips start to release. Keep doing this all the way round until you can just easily pop the door card off with your fingers. Once the door card is off MAKE SURE you undo the cable that goes to the mid-range speaker as this speaker stays with the door card once its away from the vehicle.

You should now be inside the door, gently peel back any sound proofing foamy stuff and you should be able to see the door lock/latch assy. At this point you will have to try and figure out why its not openning.

Let us know how you get on and post back with any findings

Hope this helps!!
-Wills

Thanks Will,

I'll have a go at the weekend and let you know how I got on.

Tim

Will, thanks for the instructions - they were excellent. The cable had snapped at the lock end. I needed to unscrew the lock assembly from the frame to remove and fit the cable end. It is a Tork screw (T20 I think) Everything went fine - except for my own stupidity! I decided to take the job on when I was at my in-laws about 200 miles away from home. When fitting the new cable to the lock I found it difficult to fit because the window was open. I put the key in the ignition, turned it on and closed the window. Everything snapped into place - after I screwed the door lock back to the frame I decided to check it was closing OK and CLUNK the central locking engaged (anti tamper) and there was the key in the ignition and me 200 miles from home. One bus journey later and a return trip with the wife and all is well Tim