After replacing rear passenger door handle assembly rear passenger door will not open

2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
200,000 MILES • 4WD
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
The handle broke. So i went and got a whole new unit and put it in. Put the door back together, closed and locked and unlocked and opened the door from the inside and outside. Went into the house, came back out and opened the door from the outside went inside the truck, closed the door and locked it, unlocked it again and tried to open it. Wont open. I go out the front door and try to open it from the outside while unlocked and it wont open. What do i do now? I can't open the back passenger door at all from the inside or out. It is not powered locks. It is the back right passenger door.
Sep 26, 2019 at 6:46 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening.

When you pull on the inside or outside handle, can you feel the rods move?

Pull up the lock rod and hold it while you try to open it. It could be the latch that is bad.

Did you put new hardware on the rods when you change the handles?

Roy
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:03 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
I can't open the door. I did feel the rods move when i was assembling it.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:11 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
It was a unit from a salvage yard. It worked on the other truck and worked on this one for about 3-5 openings and closings. Now i can't open door from inside or out while unlocked.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:13 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
I only had to change inside handle. It was the only one broke.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:15 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Did you try pulling up on the lock rod while trying to open the door from the inside or outside?

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:16 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Yes.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:17 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
I cannot get to the inside of the door again to the rods while the door is closed and wont open.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:19 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, since you had the door panel off anyway, it will have to be removed.

It will be difficult with the door closed. You will need to remove the back seat and try removing the panel to look inside and see if the rods are moving enough to open the door.

The seat will come up by pushing back on the front of the seat and lifting up at the same time.

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:20 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
The bottom bench part folds forward and the back part folds down to make it flat. That is it.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:25 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
How can i get the door open?
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:28 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Got it. As I stated, the seat has to be removed, not folded down. That is the only way to access the door panel without damaging it.

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:28 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Okay. I see now. Gotcha on the seat.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:29 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good. Keep me updated.

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:31 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
The inside panel will now pop off?? Cause i have never done it this way with the door closed.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:32 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
How about using my car unlocking tools? like the tow trucks or roadside assistance use when you lock your keys in your car. Do you think using those tools to unlock it from the outside will work??
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:35 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
You can try that but you said the rods were moving. Give it a try and see if it will work.

I know what you mean by the panel. It is difficult to release the panel with the door closed without damaging it.

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:46 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
When you say put new hardware on the rods, what do you mean? The one clip for the door handle? Because the door unlock one was a tab that i snapped in.
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:47 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, those tabs are what I am talking about. They can break especially since are using junkyard parts. If the rods fall off, it will cause this issue.

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 7:52 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Where can i get a new tab? So the rod wont fall out.
Sep 26, 2019 at 8:12 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Parts stores have these clips. They have an assortment of them for all the different styles.

Roy
Sep 26, 2019 at 8:19 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
The door is opening now but not locking.
Sep 28, 2019 at 9:31 AM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
How do i get it to lock back up?
Sep 28, 2019 at 9:32 AM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Please explain?

Do you mean the lock rod fell down?

Can you post a picture?

Roy
Sep 28, 2019 at 2:10 PM
Avatar
JONES TESS AND JOE
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
I can't get the door to lock.
Sep 28, 2019 at 2:56 PM (Merged)
Avatar
94 TRANSAM
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 680 POSTS
Hi and welcome back,

This is a common issue. Over time the door latch gets filled with dirt and all the grease dries out. It keeps getting stiffer until it wont move anymore.

You need to pop the door panel and remove the door latch. Soak it in gas or the like and clean it out real well. Make sure everything is moving good, Re-lube it with white lithium grease or I prefer using chain lube and reinstall.

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

Let me know how it works out.

Rich
Sep 28, 2019 at 2:56 PM (Merged)