I am beyond stumped/.. I doused mechanism with white litheum grease and the little release lever moved up and down, so I closed the door. Now I am locked out. I used to be able to crawl in from the passenger side and use the inside door handle and that would open the door. Not so much anymore. Some questions
1: would AAA with a slim jim get it open ( they have also gotten me in with a bladder that when inflated bends the door enough to do something but I am not sure what)
2. Would it help to drill out the lock and hope poking around would release the mechanism?
3. I can get inside the car so can I remove the door panel from inside?
Hopefully someone has had this predicament and can help me out
Thanks
R
Door release issue - Stumped!
-
07turbeaux
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 10:00 pm
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 7 times
- Tom
- Site Admin
- Posts: 8907
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:04 pm
- Location: Silicon Valley, CA
- Has thanked: 930 times
- Been thanked: 3983 times
- Contact:
Are you completely locked out of the car, or is it just too hard to get in from the passenger side or rear hatch?07turbeaux wrote: Mon May 11, 2026 6:35 pm I am beyond stumped/.. I doused mechanism with white litheum grease and the little release lever moved up and down, so I closed the door. Now I am locked out. I used to be able to crawl in from the passenger side and use the inside door handle and that would open the door. Not so much anymore. Some questions
1: would AAA with a slim jim get it open ( they have also gotten me in with a bladder that when inflated bends the door enough to do something but I am not sure what)
2. Would it help to drill out the lock and hope poking around would release the mechanism?
3. I can get inside the car so can I remove the door panel from inside?
Hopefully someone has had this predicament and can help me out
Thanks
R
Re-reading his question, I think the door mechanism itself no longer works. That's a problem because you can't get the door card off with the door locked in order to release the door from the inside (somehow.)
As the outside and inside handles will not work it sounds like a problem with the cable. Although, your initial problem of just the ousdide not working suggested a problem just with the exteriior handle mechanism. You'll need to remove a few screws on the door card enough to reach into the mechanism from the inside.07turbeaux wrote: Mon May 11, 2026 6:35 pm I am beyond stumped/.. I doused mechanism with white litheum grease and the little release lever moved up and down, so I closed the door. Now I am locked out. I used to be able to crawl in from the passenger side and use the inside door handle and that would open the door. Not so much anymore. Some questions
1: would AAA with a slim jim get it open ( they have also gotten me in with a bladder that when inflated bends the door enough to do something but I am not sure what)
2. Would it help to drill out the lock and hope poking around would release the mechanism?
3. I can get inside the car so can I remove the door panel from inside?
Hopefully someone has had this predicament and can help me out
Thanks
R
-
chrischrischris
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:10 am
- Has thanked: 4 times
- Been thanked: 29 times
This happened to me when I over extended the plastic ball socket piece that connects the door handle latch to the door release mechanism. I don't think the panel can be completely removed, but I was able to remove enough of the fasteners to allow me to open the top edge and then I could get my fingers inside. It was a bitch, but it worked.
-
07turbeaux
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 10:00 pm
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 7 times
thanks for the tips. Was able to pry the top of door panel back and grab the vertical knob. Door popped open.
Printed out Clark's BODY 12 Door Handle---removal adjustment installation
We shall see how things go during tonight's project
Printed out Clark's BODY 12 Door Handle---removal adjustment installation
We shall see how things go during tonight's project
-
07turbeaux
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 10:00 pm
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 7 times
-
07turbeaux
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 10:00 pm
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 7 times
I got the door open but while fiddling with the lock i set off the alarm and now it will not go off.
I removed fuses and relay for horn without success. So I assume the noise comes from a horn that is attached to the firewall just behind the battery. Will the sound be gone if I just disconnect the wires to that horn?
I removed fuses and relay for horn without success. So I assume the noise comes from a horn that is attached to the firewall just behind the battery. Will the sound be gone if I just disconnect the wires to that horn?
-
dr bob
- Moderator
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:30 pm
- Location: Central Oregon
- Has thanked: 247 times
- Been thanked: 243 times
Disconnect the battery to stop the noise, plus it resets the alarm/immobilizer. If it's like mine --
-- Alarm trips when you attempt to unlock without the key in the lock.
-- Alarm active relocks the doors for you. Disconnecting just the horns doesn't reset the alarm/immobilizer.
I just received a couple bags of the white door-card 'pins' if you need some. I can deliver.
You have my phone number.
I added a battery switch for when the car is hibernating or in surgery.
-- Alarm trips when you attempt to unlock without the key in the lock.
-- Alarm active relocks the doors for you. Disconnecting just the horns doesn't reset the alarm/immobilizer.
I just received a couple bags of the white door-card 'pins' if you need some. I can deliver.
I added a battery switch for when the car is hibernating or in surgery.
dr bob
1989 928 S4, black with cashmere/black inside
SoCal 928 Group Cofounder
928 Owner's Club Charter Member
Former Ex Bend Yacht Club Commodore Emeritus
Free Advice and Commentary. Use At Your Own Risk!
1989 928 S4, black with cashmere/black inside
SoCal 928 Group Cofounder
928 Owner's Club Charter Member
Former Ex Bend Yacht Club Commodore Emeritus
Free Advice and Commentary. Use At Your Own Risk!
