HELP!! Rear door stuck closed!

Hey All,

Ok, rear drivers side door is stuck closed. Unlock/lock mechanism sounds like its spinning inside without doing anything. It's stuck in the locked position and will not open from door handles. I've spent an hour trying to get it unlatched to no avail. I've even tried kicking it open from inside.

Am I screwed, or does anyone have a way to get it open so i can replace the latch mech?

Thanks,
Jerry

 

This happened on my Altima. Had to remove the door panel from the inside with the door shut. ( not easy) then I had to manually pull the release latch on the lock mechanism by hand. ( not easy) have fun

 

Totally agree

 

I actually had to remove the driver side seat out of the passenger side of the car to get the panel off far enough. Altima coupe by the way so it was even worse.

 

Lol turn off your child lock maybe ?

 

Ok, thanks for the insight.

So I looked at the panel on the Tacoma rear door and when the door is closed the seal is on the sides of the panel, in other words the door closes and the seal contacts the panel. Aside from busting or ripping the panel out, I can't see how to get to it to pop the snaps off to be able to pull it up and out. I am guessing the worm gear inside the lock mechanism is stuck in the lock position. These motors are known to burn up and stop working as this happened on a couple Prius'es I owned. Anyway, I am not even sure that if I can get to the cable that attaches to the lock, that I can even get it to unlatch. Seem that Toyota could have designed this better in my opinion.

 

Could a slim jim from the outside be used to unlock the door? The kind police and locksmiths use? Without messing things up too much?

 

Nope. if there were a key lock maybe a slimjim would work. Rear doors have no keylocks.

 

Open up the door on the other side and see how things are put together.

It might give you some helpful clues on how to get the stuck one released with minimal damage.

 

The rods are still there to grab no?

 

No rods. Cables like on a bike break. I did pull the other door panel. Unless I can get to the unlock cable or latch, im completely screwed.

 

Try the dealer, pricey but I’m sure your not the first.

 

Would this work with a 2nd generation? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-will-not-unlock-solved.469156/#post-14119001

 

This video may help

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aitzr_3p9MM

I’ve never had this problem but this video always helps me with any problem in life

 

I think I may have to watch the video again to make sure I get it.

 

Dont remember what this thread is about, but i enjoyed the video.

 

Can you get through the door panel if you unbolt it and move it back a few inches. The door opening cables won't do anything if it's stuck on lock. You have to manually move the lock lever.

 

That video didn't help me with my rear door, but it helped me with a few other things.

 

I like your perspective and disposition!

 

Guys thanks, the video helped a lot......got my mind off the door for a bit

Anyway, When you close the doors, the panel is sandwiched in between the door frame and the door, and as I said earlier, the panel contacts the seal. I can't see any way to pull the panel without destroying it. BUT, once that happens, "Bebop" says the cables won't do a thing, and since the lock mech is encased in the plastic assembly, how would I manipulate the latch or lever to unlatch it from the striker even if I could access it??

BTW, this is the WIFE'S Tacoma and she treats it like her child. SO, I'm kinda on the hook for this one.

In my 35 years of doing mechanics, I've never run into this problem without me being able to resolve a locked door problem with a slimjim, pulling a door lock or pulling a panel. This downright SUCKS!!