ArcholeLS4

I’ve recently bought an early 1994 LS400 and the passenger door will not open from the inside or out. When pulling the handle i can tell its not engaging the mechanism. I have seen it is relatively common for the connectors to snap and break so i assume this is what’s happened in my case. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, any advice on how to solve it? All I’ve seen is people saying i need to take off the door card to replace the connector but I don’t think this can be done without getting the door open first. If i can, I don’t want to damage the door card or any seals so was hoping there would be another way. Any advice would be appreciated.

TIA.

paulo57509

In general, attempting to remove the door panel with the door closed most always results in needing a new door panel. Might have better luck with finding a replacement door panel first before destroying the exiting one.

I've heard of a guy cutting a hole in the outer skin to get the door open rather than sacrifice an unobtainable door panel. Basically, the lesser of two evils.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

this is an uncommon problem. if it were me, i would see if a locksmith can slim-jim the door open via the glass before doing anything as drastic as ruining the door panel or outer door.
if that is a dead end, i would drill into the outer door handle and ruin that only which can be replaced much easier than doing body work on the door skin or finding a replacement inner door panel.

deanshark

I had this happen on my old 93. (Those darn tiny plastic clips) I used this tutorial as sort of a guide, just to see what's there; http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/fdoorpanel.html

It's actually pretty easy. What I did was take off the trim for the door handle and lift up on the panel while pulling towards me, it has a tiny bit of movement. The panel hooks into the window frame so it's gonna feel tough to pull but I did get mine off with a bit of force without breaking it. The top of the door panel pulls toward the inside to give enough room to squeeze your hand inside to reach the rod that pulls the mechanism to open the door. Then when it's open you can get the rest of the panel off. I did need to bend it back a little when I replaced it.