Ghosteh

I'm not quite sure what the best way to approach this issue, but my door lock is broken & the door is shut. The key won't unlock it from the outside, and the **** on the inside isn't working; it seems to move with no resistance when turning counterclockwise from 12 to about 7, and will not go any further in either direction.

I just replaced my inner door handle hinge and had everything working, but obviously something isn't aligned right or I twisted the lock too much and broke something inside. I did get the handle to work again... until the issue with the lock.

The door panel is on & I can't take it out because the door won't open. The only thing I can think of doing is getting my hand in there and trying to unbolt the linkage on the handle & lock. Luckily, I can get in thru the passenger side & rear hatch.

Any simple ideas that I'm missing? I'm already 3+ hours deep in the door handle hinge replacement & my frustration level with that door is pretty high.

Ducman82

Hmmmmmmmmm.......

Ghosteh

lol... exactly!

Wisconsin Joe

This has happened before.

I can't find the thread, but IIRC, he ended up pulling the door panel insert and reaching back through the hole with something to unlock the door.

Mrmerlin

get in the car remove the handle surround ,
remove the door insert piece,
cut the vapor barrier,
with a good flashlight reach up into the door and push the lock rod so it unlocks the door.

NOTE First, make sure the inside door locking **** is not screwed on too tight,
as well make sure the **** surround trim is only palm handed snug

mj1pate

I have had the disaster of replacing an exterior door handle latch, closing the door, windows up and watching in horror as the central locking locked both doors and subsequently the key lock seized on both sides. Yes, even in that situation I was able to use a long shim to trigger the lock open from the outside. If you can get in the car to try what Stan suggested, you’re farther ahead than you think. Be patient, you’ll figure it out.

Ghosteh

Figured it out. Luckily, I was able to manipulate the lock linkage and got it open. Everything is back to normal.

skpyle

Glad you figured it out!

Alan

Test the opening & closing with the door open (use a thick screwdriver to simulate the lock post) do it from the inner & outer handle. Check also the locking & unlocking with the key & remote (e.g. other door or KE) as well as the lock ****. This doesn't eliminate all possibilities for this kind of stuck situation but it helps. Then try actually closing the door and opening with both handles and locking & unlocking while closed (from all sources) before reinstalling the door panel etc... Make sure the movements of the lock tab & turn **** and keys are smooth - if they aren't now they will likely never get any better. Lube, clean and/or adjust if needed while its all apart, going back in again is a PITA.

Do this at every level - when just re-fitted - with the door panel just back on, with all the trims back on and adjusted as you think they need to be. Remember to do all the adjustments before putting things back together e.g. the turnbuckle that set the degree you need to pull up on the outer door handle (less is generally better) check the adjustment of the inner door pull handle too.

Alan

lewfletch

Bit of a late reply but the exact same sht happened to my 944. My car locks have been acting up before but it somehow works after a while but I guess doomsday finally arrived. My keys would not work, every time I insert it, it would not fully twist. I somehow got in because of a small opening on the window that I pulled down and I managed to noticeably scratch the sht which added to my anger. I tried fixing it myself by removing the panel and replacing the key cylinder with this new one which is expensive. I think I messed something up because it was still not working. I was getting frustrated because I had a meeting to attend later that day. That is why I called this local locksmith and thank god they fixed it really fast. They said my car had a wiring problem that messed the locks. The lesson of this story: Do not do it on your own if you have small patience or you'll end up damaging your baby lol.