FAQ: Power Door Lock Problems

You should be able to remove the small panel behind the door latch, and you might be able to work the rods from there. Won't unlock? hmmm. Is the lock button inside stuck, or disconnected. If it's stuck, try having somebody push the door closed hard while you jiggle the thing...

not much help there I know, but it's worth a shot. Could be the seatbelt latch stuck in the shut door or something...

Good call, deekster.

I took my hip and began pushing in and out and hit the unlock button and voila, it unlocked and opened. I'm not experienced with trying to diagnose these type of problems lol

I guess I'll remove the panel and look for any binding and grease it up.

Also look for a worn hinge. Could be the door sagging low causing some issues.

I'm thinking it has something to do with the latch after playing with it. If it won't unlock I can give the door a shove and then it will unlock. I wonder if it's not latching correctly.

check the striker.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

check the striker.

Albertj

As in the piece inside of the door held in place by the torx? I'm pretty sure thats what it is. Lube doesn't seem to be doing it, but when it happens I can just shove the door and then it works. May have to get a new one and replace it.

Sure it's not something like the seat belt hanging down preventing the door from closing all the way? I've had that happen many times.

The striker is bolted to the door jam and is adjustable.

Door wont unlock all the way , outside handle wont engage, inside handle wont work either.
any suggestions, guess i gotta take the panel off and fix it ?
looks like fun with the door shut ???

You can't get the interior panel off without opening the door, unless you want to tear something up.
You might try using a "Slim-Jim" tool to unlock it directly at the mechanism?

99Rivman wrote:

You might try using a "Slim-Jim" tool to unlock it directly at the mechanism?

That's what i was going to suggest also.

yeah i used to have one i made outta band strap for a 77 cutlass ... ill give it a try ... any idea wich way it pulls , used to be slide tward rear and pull up when ya had it hooked

Be VERY careful, where the linkage attaches to the mechanism is PLASTIC and breaks very easy!

thats probably whats broken , ill take the panel off the other door first to get a look at what i gotta play with in there ....

well i got the door open , with my makeshit slim jim , gotta replace outter handle , thr rod that actuates the closure is broke i guess ... havent looked yet .... no biggie , atleast i can still use the door

Look here for a "better?" idea than replacing it:

Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle

yeah , i could do that ... thanks ... when i get to it . im just glad it opens now .

Well my door handle is now completely inoperable. Have to open it from the inside

I saw the writeup but I think I'll just order a new one, I guess.. pending what I see when I pull the door panel

You probably already saw the write up on removing door panel also but just in case:
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/interior-f20/write-up-interior-door-panel-removal-t317.htm#2570

When the handle on my wife's 99 Riv broke it was cold/wet and I knew it would behoove me to carry it and get it fixed instead of making her drive it like that until I could get around to it.
So I had a local body shop repair it, they ordered the part and got it for the same price that I found it for on GM parts direct and installed it for $50.00 labor.

Good Luck

Bert

Yeah I guess I'm gonna order a new one but I don't see anything broken right off hand. I've got it pulled out of the door but still have the rods attached

So I don't really see anything broken. It seems like that spring should move when I pull the handle, but it doesn't. Is that how it works? I don't see how it would move because the rod that goes through it is much smaller than the spring hole.

manofmany wrote:

So I don't really see anything broken. It seems like that spring should move when I pull the handle, but it doesn't. Is that how it works? I don't see how it would move because the rod that goes through it is much smaller than the spring hole.

I've circled in red where the piece is broken ... there should be a hook there that pushes against that metal piece

Yep I pulled the passenger panel to see that. Thanks

Just ordered one from rockauto.

Look in the very bottom of the door and you will probably find the piece that is missing. Also if you get that broken piece out of the door now it wont annoy you after the repair is completed when you are driving down the road and hear it bouncing around inside the door.

Bert

Looks like the passenger door handle has already been replaced.

Yep I found the piece. Plastic FTL