93 Saturn Door STUCK HELP

BJW8FAN

MEMBER
1993 SATURN

My daughters 93 Saturn SC drivers door will not open from the inside or outside. We have the inner panel off but still cant locate what happened. Cannot get to the outer door skin. You pull on either handle and nothing happens, feels like something just fell off.
What can we do she is having to get in her car Duke Boys style.
BTW I also took it to a body shop, they couldnt figure it out either.

4 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

Both the interior and exterior handles are attached to the door latch with rods. The chance of both coming off are slim.

I would think that the latch itelf is failing or is locked. Try manualy moving the rod that locks the door, either the interior or exterior lock rod and see if you feel anything happening. Once it is unlocked the latch should respond to the inner and outer door handles.

Good luck and let us know. :)

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Sunday, March 11th, 2007 AT 9:44 PM

BJW8FAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, we have played with the door lock it acts as though it is working but nothing happens. We are thinking the latch is bad but. We cant get the door open at all, only resolution we can think of is to remove the panel in the back seat and try to get the striker bar off so the door may open and we can get to the outside skin. Will that work or do you have another idea?

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Monday, March 12th, 2007 AT 8:39 AM

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

The striker is bolted on from the door side. Follow the rods to the latch and with a small screwdriver try to work either the locking mechanism or the latching mechanism with the screwdriver.

I am pretty sure I have an old one in the garage. I will try and take a look today and give you a little more detailed help asap.

Good luck.

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Monday, March 12th, 2007 AT 9:39 AM

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

Looking at the latch mechanism from the inside of the car it appears to be a rough rectangle.

At the bottom of the rectangle there is a metal bar that runs horizontaly. It has the 2 rods from the exterior door handle attached to it nearest the exterior door skin.

The one nearest you is the latch trigger. It is attached to the metal bar. The one behind it moves a plastic piece down below the same metal horizontal bar. If you can see the plastic piece below the metal bar, the latch is effectively locked.

Push the plastic piece up so it is even with the horizontal metal bar. Push down on the metal bar nearest the exterior door skin to unlatch the door. The metal bar pushes down on the plastic piece to unlatch the door.

If this has no effect there is a small acrch right above the plastic piece that when it (the plastic piece) is hanging down, locks the door. It is about the size of a large pea. Inside of the arch is the plastic piece that moves to unlock the door. Push the plastic piece up even with the bottom of the metal bar. You will be able to see a hole on the plastic piece inside the arch after that. Using a punch, insert it in the hole and push down. This will also unlatch the door.

Good luck and let me know. I have the digital camera on charge incase you need a photo. :)

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Monday, March 12th, 2007 AT 8:16 PM