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wth? how to open a door that wont open?

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Old May 30, 2013 | 06:19 PM
  #1  
SwaintaN's Avatar
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wth? how to open a door that wont open?

Driver side rear door, made poping sounds a few days in a row, last night just stopped opening. wont open from inside or outside... wth is wrong and how do i correct it and open it.
Old May 30, 2013 | 06:39 PM
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843de's Avatar
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From: Kannapolis NC
Most likely you have a door latch assembly that's failed, probably something popped loose inside the door cavity.

Have an assistant sit in the back seat pushing on the inside of the door while you pull on the outside handle, be super careful, its all too easy to buckle the sheet metal or break the outside handle off.

Before you start the pushing and pulling, work the lock knob manually a couple of times to make sure it didn't get hung up on the inner door panel.

Good luck man, if all else fails, scoot to a body shop or your dealer.
Old May 30, 2013 | 06:46 PM
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SwaintaN's Avatar
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I told wife if all else fails would have to get junk yard door and cut stock door. Pull out speaker and Window visor. Ugh.
Old May 30, 2013 | 10:58 PM
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Don't know if it helps, but the rear door hinges are accessible with the front door open. The latch would still be caught, but maybe you could unbolt the hinges and move the door out enough to remove the door panel. With the door panel removed you could look inside for the problem.
I would only advise this method as a last resort. And only advise this if you have any body shop/door hanging experience.
Old May 31, 2013 | 01:09 PM
  #5  
IgottaWoody's Avatar
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From: Washington State, where it rains
bet you had the child safety lock engaged, right? An now it wont unlock.......might call a slimjim owner to work some magic BEFORE you go ripping the door to pieces..a locksmith could probably help to as I'm sure they dealt with this before...
Old May 31, 2013 | 02:37 PM
  #6  
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From: Alabama
Good idea woody. Might be worth a try.
Only problem is, a slimjim is used to unlock a door, not open a door. The OP sounds like his issue is a broken or disconnected latching system. Maybe one could get lucky and "catch" the latch mechanism with the slimjim. Don't know.
I've used a basic slimjim many times over the years. Never had one actually open the door. I have unlocked many doors though.
Still carry a couple of slimjims in my truck toolbox. I might need to put one in my SS.
Old Mar 3, 2018 | 10:59 PM
  #7  
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I know this is an old thread, was the lock and still is the lock. The lock is not coming up all the way. We have to reach back (if no one sitting back there) yank up really hard on the lock to unlock the door so itll open.
Old Mar 3, 2018 | 11:23 PM
  #8  
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You could remove the door trim panel and find out what the mechanism is binding on. Could be anything even a bad latch, usually the latch just needs grease or something is installed sloppy so one of the parts binds.
Old Mar 3, 2018 | 11:30 PM
  #9  
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thats what i was thinking, pulling it all off and cleaning up the bottom of the door where there is rust, grease all the connections that i see.

you can see the lock move when you press unlock, juuusssttt not enough, its one of those moments where you wanna laugh or scream
Old Mar 4, 2018 | 04:22 AM
  #10  
Cat Man HHR's Avatar
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Joined: 08-03-2010
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From: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
I found this for the door lock repair:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...39/#post701045
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