Door won't open from the inside?

[BLCKFLSH]

Those little cables are a boobie trap. Drop the door panel once, and the little green plastic piece snaps on the bracket. I didn't have to wire or tape anything, but just tried to keep the green thing in the bracket, untill I could carefully put the door panel back in place. I snapped the driverside door cable when changing the lock actuator, and the rear passenger door, while replacing the door checker. The door panels must be holding the cables in the brackets, because niether of them have come out yet. They both work like they always have. I was expecting them to eventually come out, and I was planning to replace the cables then, but that was years ago and the doors still work, even with my son constantly slamming that rear door.

[Phlip96]

Let me complicate this by saying I recently had a similar experience and after putting the plastic piece back together, a few days later it wont open again. Now this time, neither the outside or inside opens the door.

I was able to pry open the panel and inspect the cable while the door is shut, obviously the door is closed still, doing this through the opened window. The latch did in fact fall apart but it also does engage the cable at the latch because I feel it moving down there.

The lock still goes up and down when I hit the lock button, but that is what it feels like, that it is still locked. I hear about this lock mechanism you have had trouble with in other posts as well, where is this lil guy and hopefully I can reach it from the crevice I created at the top while the door is still closed.

Any Idea how I could pop the door open without using the conventional means of a handle?

Sorry for the length but I wanted to be clear. Thanks for the help DA!

[Phlip96]

bump!
gonna go to the body shop next week, was hoping you guys could help me out so i wouldnt have to pay someone for the knowledge. I dont mind doing the work, just gotta know HOW!

[BLCKFLSH]

Sorry, never had both inside and outside handle stop working. All I can suggest is trying to pull the cables with a pliers or anything you can reach it with.

[Phlip96]

I figured I didn't get responses because people were baffled like I am
Yeah, I did pull the cable, right next to the latch even. no luck.
I'll update when its fixed

[michaellowrider]

Had this happen when I replaced a door lock actuator. Your handles are not connected so you have to remove door panel by removing screws and pulling until panel comes out, this requires force and you may break some panel clips(don't worry theyre cheap) then you have to manually move door latch with your finger and pop! The door opens!

[Phlip96]

Okay, stopped by the body shop and he says he may fit me in thursday. he explained he would take the panel off (Im thinking HOW?) and fiddle with it until he gets the drop on the right spot.
That being said, I went home and did what you said michaelowrider, basically ripped off what was left at the dash side (i was able to get the rest off without breaking the clips previously)
Now the window is up and the panel is off as well as that weatherproof plastic. I see the cable is actually sliding this plastic piece down, just as the rod from the handle is. This is working as far as I can tell. I'm at a loss at to what the downward action is supposed to do.
I can move the exterior handle and rod from inside, i can feel this rod move a plastic piece, what is supposed to happen next? what am i supposed to actuate?

[michaellowrider]

Now you must manually operate the door latch from inside the door where it latches to the door frame. It's a spring loaded latch, so just search with your fingers until you find some thing spring loaded and fully compress it and open your door! The next thing is figure out what went wrong. You may need some new parts, it sounds like a bent rod possibly. Good luck with your repairs.

[Phlip96]

Oy, michael, it's sunday and I had time along with my frustration to taxckle the beast again. GOOD NEWS, I was able to open the door. I seen the spring loaded mechanism you mentioned and it was working fine, it did not open the door however. What did open the door waqs the arm that reaches from that plunger into the lever that releases the latch, it is simply NOT there! So now the part is removed and I understand how it works, let's hope I can get the part in hand and put all back together

The lock actuator was in good shape and turns like it should, it was the poor plastic parts taking the beating in the fklorida sun that caused my demise. It makes me wonder if I should replace the driver side BEFORE i get trapped and do it dukes of hazzard style

Thanks for all of your input and enjoying the adventure with me