door won't open

First, this has to be the best post I read in a long time. As far as the problem, it sounds like the lock rod has fallen off. Lets remove the door panel for an inspections here is a guide to walk you through the steps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Please run down this guide and report back.

Yes, linkage accessible. What next?

Sorry for the delay... Christmas, kids, family... it's easier to go to work.

As far as the linkage, have you checked to make sure nothing is bent, disconnected, or broken? As far as the window track, you don't need to remove it. However, check to see if you can manually move the lock linkage.

I have a 98 with the exact same problem. The door won't open from the inside or outside. I also half way ripped the inner pannel off. All the linking rods are fine. I can't figure out a way to open the door so I can fix/replace the latch mechanism.. Can I take the front quarter panel off and unbolt the hinges and get it off that way, or should I just hook up my Warn x8000i to this #$%!%$#%#@#$%@#$%? Talk about frustrating.

I wouldn't recommend that (lol). Removing the front fender is an option, but check the passenger side door to make sure it is unboltable and not welded. If you have access to the latch assembly, you should be able (not easy) to manually unlatch the door.

Hehehe, thanks. After further digging and leaving the winch taunting me on the Jeep, I've decided on a dremmel. I have removed the inner door pannel entirely. Only broke a couple clips which I can replace. I pulled it upward and toward the back seat. I removed a white protective piece of plastic near the vertical manual lock rod (one tiny hidden screw), removed the elctric door lock actuator (3 small screws + two larger screws for a guard thats on the back side of it + two electric connection plugs). All that is is in front of me is the latch mechanism. Pulling the handle rods and lock rods I can see that externally it appears to be fine...but she still ain't opening. So, I'm going to dremmel the backing plate off the latch and carefully remove pieces until I find the mechanism that opens the door. Good luck to anyone else having this problem. There seems to be no simple way to open the door from inside the panel.

Let me know how things work out for you. I thought for sure you would be able to access it. Tonight must be the night for dremmel tools. I got mad at my truck and used mine to get a stripped bolt out of the dash. God, I hope 2011 is a better year.

Well I have 1994 Honda Accord and today I had same exact issue door is stuck and actuator works fine I kind a remove inner cover just enough to see in and all looks good. I guess my only option is to drill a hole in latch to open the door. I have seen video at you tube where some one mentioned by using some release clip it should open with out drilling but I can not find it.

Well, got the door open. After removing everything listed above plus two rods in the way (the lokc rod I had to cut the white plastic carefully unitl I could pull it out), dremel (cut off wheel) just above the top rivet and just below the bottom rivet. Dremel the rivet flat. Use a screwdriver or needle nose to pull the gold backing plate off (don't booger up the screws holding the latch mechinism in place, you may need them later and you should be far enough way that it isn't a problem). When you pull the backing plate off there is a ton of white plastic. Just below where the top rivet is, start making a big hole with your dremel moving towards the bottom rivet (rasping attachment - short burred end that eats plastic quickly). I went deep enough to feel like I was hitting metal and just continued to make the hole bigger until I could see the C-clip latch (gold in color). Then, took a screwdriver and flipped it up. Door opened. Took about 15 minutes to get the rods off, 30 minutes to carefully cut off the backing plate and about 10 minutes to make a big enough hole to flip the gold colored latch up. Now, I'm off to Honda to get the new latch.

Good luck, hope this helped you.

The driver side door latch on my 99 Honda Accord (2 door) won't unlock or open. The door is stuck closed. Pulling the handle to unlatch the door mechanism won't work. It pulls back but the door latch doesn't unlock or open. Since the latch mechanism is installed inside the door and the fasteners are installed from the outside of the door, through the sheet metal, and then through to the mechanism, I am unable to replace the mechanism because I can't get at the fasteners with the door closed. How can I open the door to get at the fasteners?

You would have to try to remove the door trim to try to get the door opened. With door closed, it could mean damaging the door trim as you try to wrestle it off.

Remove whatever holding screws you could get to and try to pull the trim off. Usually the only screws are on the door handle (arm rest) and behind the window/lock switches.

Attached below is a diagram of the latch assembly

When I use the clicker or do it manually, the door will not open. Everything acts like it is working, but the door will not open. Is there a way to get the door open so I can look at the latch assembly?

Hi Barry,

Not going to be easy. You need to remove the inner door trim by forcing it out.

can't open drivers sid door. took side panel off to get to hinges still wont open.

Hi dana ray,

The door latch is faulty and you would need to break the plastic part to remove a small spring to unlatch.

hi , i have take used car from my friend , but rare right side door is not opening , he told to unlock the child lock , but i couldn't find its location ,it doesn't open from inside or outside , please where is it located thank you

You need to open the door frpm outside to unlok the child lok. It is located under the door panel near the door lock.

Seems you have a problem with the outer handle or door lock and the child lock is also activated.

Under such circumstances you would have to remove the inner door panel, which is not easy considering the door is closed and might damage the panel as force is required to bend the panel to get it off.

After removal of panel, you have to try to wiggle with the door opener from the outer handle.

My front driverside door will not open with the key from the outside nor the latch from the inside. How can I get the inside door panel off being that I can't open the door to get at the bolts and what part may need to be replaced if I'm able to get the door panel off?

Hi there,

I believe the door lock itself is faulty. Part of the unlocking mechanism has worn off and is now stuck.

You need to replace the lock assy but opening the door is a messy job as the unlocking tab is almost unaccessible.

You need to get the outer door moulding out and then close the window. From there you need a long and strong screwdriver to chisel away a plastic part of the lock to release a spring inorder for the lock to open.

Get a new door lock and from there you would get an idea which area to chisel away.

I hate doing this job but have done it umpteen times.

Interior problem
1990 Honda Accord 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My driver side door will not open! I took the door panel off, but I had no luck releasing the latch. Any suggestions as to how I can get the latch to release? Thanks!

Hi batmanwho,

You have a sticky one on your hand.

The latch is bad and the only way to unlock is the drill or break the plastic tab to release the loaded spring to release the catch.

How to fix Driver door.Will not open inside or outside.

Hi Gabe.B,

Seems the door lock has failed and it is going to be messy getting it done.

I tried to open my driver side car door yesterday and it will not open from the outside. The door is unlocked and and this is the first time it happened. All the other doors are fine when I open them. Is this a problem I can fix, or something that has to be looked at by a professional? Thanks

[quote:61feea2902="tro0925"]2004 Honda Accord 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 53000 miles

I tried to open my driver side car door yesterday and it will not open from the outside. The door is unlocked and and this is the first time it happened. All the other doors are fine when I open them. Is this a problem I can fix, or something that has to be looked at by a professional? Thanks[/quote:61feea2902]


what you want to do is to look on the side of the door where u see it lock to the car theres a hook there that pulls back when u open the door so watch it when u pull the door handle if it doesnt go up then take off ur door panel and it should be a spring tht came loose

door is unlocked ,door handle doesn't feel like it is engaging the latch

I have a 1999 Accord and had a similar problem with the driver side door. I can't tell you exactly how to fix it, but when the mechanic fixed mine, he had to (somehow?!) remove the door panel from the inside and replace the electronic door latch. It cost me about $85. Hope that helps a little.

there was no major incident.
i locked the car with the remote and when i tried to unlock the car, the driver's door does not open, all the other doors are working fine.
i tried opening with the key also but nothing happened.
the lock is pulled up but the door does not open from outside or inside.
a lock maker tried to pull the lock form inside but could not.
how can i fix the door.
its locked and no one can open it.

Hi binayak00977,

Seems the door lock has failed and you would need to drill the door to get the latch to release.

Before drilling, if you can get the door trim off, check for dislodged actuator links.

for some reason it won't work. i changed the sensor with another one and it work for a short while. The light turned off on the dash about the door being open. Then is went on again. I switched it with the passenger side to make sure it wasn't the sensor and it worked the passanger side so i know its the electrical. I cut the old connection to it and replaced what the sensor plugged in to and it worked for a short while but again the door light is on the dash and the light on the bottom of the door won't turn off. Is there a way to check if its getting power to the switch?

Hi greenchevymalibu,

Thank you for the donation.

The door switch is working correctly and is not an electrical fault. The problem is the door switch is not being turnewd off when the door is closed and the probable causes are :
1. Door switch rubber cover is missing causing excessive clearance and when door is closed, the switch is not turned off.

2. The door striker is out of adjustment and when door is closed, it is not flush, resulting in gap between door and switch. Loosen the door striker screw and push striker inwards slghtly and retighten. Up and down movement might be required to adjust for smooth closing of the door.

the thing is that if i push the sensor with my hand it still doesn't shut off the light on the dash. It's as if it isn't there. I'll give the door adjustment a try.

Ok now its working? I haven't done anything.I didn't try the jam adjustment or anything. so I'm lost.

Remove the switch and check the wire from harness for broken covers or shield. There is a possibility that the wire is exposed somewhere and it would intermittently contact with the body to ground the circuit causing the indicator light to show.

i took the side panel off and looked at the wire where it comes out of the loom but i didn't see any wire showing. Also i moved the wire around to see it there was maybe a break but it didn't work then not work when i did this but now again it is not working?

Sorry I am a litle confused.

Let us review the problem over again and correct me if I am wrong.
1. Dash door ajar indicator is showing for the driver door and door courtesy light is on when door is closed.
2. With door open, manually pushing the switch does not turn off the courtesy light or dash indicator.
3. Switch has been swapped with other doors and still same problem.
4. No exposed wires noticed around the door wire harness

You are very correct.

From the conditions stated, the only possible faults are
1. A short of the wire between the door switch to the intergrated control unit plugged into underdash fuse box.

2. Faulty Intergrated Control unit.

Unplug the Integrated control unit and test the door switch wire for shorting to ground. If no continuity is found, the integrated control unit is faulty.

How do i test the door switch wire for shorting to ground?

To test for wire shorting to ground, unplug the door switch and intergrated control unit.

Use DVOM to connect between the door swtich wire terminal and body ground. There should be no continuity.

if there is continuity what do i do?