> Can't someone help me on this as it is rough crawling over the console from
> the passenger's door.
I don't own a series 3 sedan, but here's my guess.
The door may not actually be "locked", perhaps the latch mechanism
is not being tripped by the door handles. In any event...
Your easiest way out may be to hire a locksmith. Basically, you need
someone with experience using a "slim Jim" to trip the mechanism inside
the door, at the latch. The locksmith may or may not be successful,
meaning the money spent may be lost. Once you get the door open, you'll
need to take the door panels off and find the source of the problem and
repair it (and properly adjust it) before attempting to close that door
again. More than likely a linkage between the door handle or the lock
button and the latch has become separated, bent, broken, or in bad need
of adjustment, or a broken door handle assembly... because if it were an
electric solenoid problem, the manual lock button would still work. Use
a rod (the same diameter as the bolt on the door frame) to test and
adjust the latch linkages before you ever attempt to close the door,
even without the door trim installed. Do not re-install the inner door
trim until you know the door latch and lock are working and properly
adjusted.
The only other method I can think of is to find/purchase another door
panel that matches yours, then cut/destroy yours to get the existing
panel out of the way so you can see the latch mechanisms (you may need
to remove the driver's seat, and by necessity, the passenger seat in
order to remove the driver's seat). Of course you could also cut a hole
in the outside door skin to gain access, but then you'd be into welding
and repainting the exterior.
sploop - 21 Sep 2005 02:53 GMT
What kind of freaky answer is that? Get a grip, your methods come from the
stone age.
>> Can't someone help me on this as it is rough crawling over the console
>> from
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> door skin to gain access, but then you'd be into welding and repainting
> the exterior.
Andy - 21 Sep 2005 10:13 GMT
Seems to me that most 12 year old car thiefs could get into your drivers
door in about 15 seconds flat or even quicker so it can't be that hard, more
a matter of technique (which I do not profess to know).
However had to get into my Datsun many many years ago and the nice man from
the AA used a haxksaw blade with a notch cut in it, slid it down between the
glass and door skin and bob was his uncle.
Andy
> What kind of freaky answer is that? Get a grip, your methods come from the
> stone age.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>> outside door skin to gain access, but then you'd be into welding and
>> repainting the exterior.
waynec - 21 Sep 2005 14:26 GMT
> Seems to me that most 12 year old car thiefs could get into your drivers
> door in about 15 seconds flat or even quicker so it can't be that hard, more
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> the AA used a haxksaw blade with a notch cut in it, slid it down between the
> glass and door skin and bob was his uncle.
The "hacksaw blade with a notch" is essentially what is called a "slim
jim". It's purpose is normally to "pop" the lock so that the door handle
can be used to open the door. It does the same thing that you do when
you manually raise/turn/press a lock plunger/knob/button on the inside
of a car door. When used by someone who knows what they are doing (ie,
they have knowledge of the lock setup on that kind of car) it works fine
on a locked car with a working lock & latch mechanism; it may or may not
work on a car with broken lock or latch mechanisms.
> Andy
>
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>>>outside door skin to gain access, but then you'd be into welding and
>>>repainting the exterior.
Andy - 22 Sep 2005 09:06 GMT
Well, blow me down, learn something new each day.
>> Seems to me that most 12 year old car thiefs could get into your drivers
>> door in about 15 seconds flat or even quicker so it can't be that hard,
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
>>>>in the outside door skin to gain access, but then you'd be into welding
>>>>and repainting the exterior.
waynec - 21 Sep 2005 14:13 GMT
> What kind of freaky answer is that? Get a grip, your methods come from the
> stone age.
...and your modern method is?????? I gave him the preferred way AND the
stone age way. The net of it is that the latch isn't tripping; and if
manipulating the lock either electrically or manually from the (inside
or outside) exterior of the door isn't allowing the door handle latch
mechanism to work, and/or the door handles (inside and outside) don't
trip the latch, it may or may not be the lock, it could be the latch or
latch linkage. The net of it is that he has to find a way to manipulate
the latch with the door closed; that's done with a slim jim, by someone
who knows how to do it (just like a thief would do it), ie, an
experienced locksmith. It's not a job for an amateur. If the latch
linkage is broken, it will be difficult even for an expert to use a slim
jim to open the door, because that tool is normally used by thieves to
get inside a car with a WORKING lock/latch mechanism. If a slim jim is
not successful, what's left but to destroy something to get inside the
door (to either manipulate the mechanism or to remove the door hinges)???
Andy - 22 Sep 2005 09:09 GMT
Just a thought but it may be cheaper to go in via the inner door panel
rather than the outer metal skin. At least easier to change I suspect and
probably cheaper to obtain a replacement from a scrappie (colour match?).
>> What kind of freaky answer is that? Get a grip, your methods come from
>> the stone age.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> what's left but to destroy something to get inside the door (to either
> manipulate the mechanism or to remove the door hinges)???
> Can't someone help me on this as it is rough crawling over the console from
> the passenger's door.
Whats happening ? does the key work when its turned can you feel any
resistance?? when you use the handle is there any resistance??? it is
the lock or handle thats not working?????
the barrel lock has a small lever which faces towards the back of the
door. this lever has a rod connected to the lock mechanism lever - the
lever off the lock mechanism faces towards the outer door skin.
next there is a rod down from the door handle to the lock mechanism.
both the levers on the lock mechanism face towards the door skin.
both rods have plastic bushes to hold them in place.
More details required
denniscuster-news - 22 Sep 2005 20:16 GMT
I have been driving my 88 without a driver door handle for over a
month.....so I see the mechanisms every day every time..I can reach the
WHITE latch with my finger enough to open the door through the outer
opening..A locksmith can get to this or even someone who has tripped a door
before..I don't think a Slim Jim could get to it with enough pressure to
open without bending or slipping off, it would have to be a harder material
or rod...just my two cents...
being an older post, this has probably been resolved I would hope..
>> Can't someone help me on this as it is rough crawling over the console
>> from
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> More details required
Captain Pugwash - 27 Sep 2005 11:22 GMT
We are all busy doing out little bit for dvjag but it might help if the
dialogue was two way.
> I have been driving my 88 without a driver door handle for over a
> month.....so I see the mechanisms every day every time..I can reach the
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>>
>> More details required