Disco 2 Disco door lock issues

Hi Guys. Firstly thankyou all for a brilliant forum. I've solved many issues with my Disco using your font of knowledge!

Now a seemingly unsolvable issue.... My 2000 disco 2 drivers door wont open. The handles (inner and outer feel normal) and the key turns in the door lock normally. The central locking works (both off the remote and with the key) but I get a horn beep when I lock (indicating a circuit issue maybe?), but the door refuses to open. I have managed to get the door card off at the top but access is limited from inside the car. I'm wondering if this is an actuator issue? And if so how do I solve it with a closed door? We are considering cutting the door card to gain better access but then what do we do?
It can't easily be taken to a garage as its SORN without an MOT. Its just had a re-spray after crash damage (not my fault - long story) so has been in the body shop for months with the battery discharging a few times.
Any advice will be greatly received.

2000 Discovery 2 V8 (Jap import)

Does the door button pop up? Can you unlock/lock the doors with interior dash switch? I'm thinking it may be a faulty lock mechanism. I'm sure the more knowlegable will be along soon.
Griff

Hi, can you hear or feel any activity in that actuator when you unlock with fob or dash switch? if not unplug it and measure for voltage across pins 4 and 7 in the plug while you unlock ...if you get voltage means that maybe the motor or mechanism is stuck and you'll have to break the actuator from inside or ask help from an auto locksmith...if no voltage we'll speak again

Landmark2 said:

Does the door button pop up? Can you unlock/lock the doors with interior dash switch? I'm thinking it may be a faulty lock mechanism. I'm sure the more knowlegable will be along soon.
Griff

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Thankyou for your swift response. Interior lock button pops up and down as normal. Dash lock/unlock button works as normal yet the driver door remains locked.

sierrafery said:

Hi, can you hear or feel any activity in that actuator when you unlock with fob or dash switch? if not unplug it and measure for voltage across pins 4 and 7 in the plug while you unlock ...if you get voltage means that maybe the motoror mechanism is stuck and you'll have to break the actuator from inside or ask help from an auto locksmith...if no voltage we'll speak again

View attachment 332848

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Thankyou for your swift response. We'll check what the actuator is doing tomorrow. Will also do a voltage check as you suggest if we can manage it in the space we have! Thankyou for the pic.

You can easily remove the 4 bolts holding the seat and move it out of the way

sierrafery said:

You can easily remove the 4 bolts holding the seat and move it out of the way

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I was wondering this but I can't get to the cover plate on the door side to remove the screws holding it over the four bolts?