Rear Right Door Won't Open

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by D/A Fischer, Aug 26, 2003.

  1. D/A Fischer

    D/A Fischer Guest

    OK here's the deal, the right rear door on my 97 Civic won't open. The lock
    is still working, atleast that's what I'm figuring considering that I can
    still work it with the electric lock system. When you move the handle on
    both the outside and inside they are both very fluid, almost like they're
    not attached to anything. I'm figuring that there is some sort of linkage
    or cabling that has broke. Am I correct on that? Short of taking it to a
    dealer, is there any way to remove the inside trim to check this problem out
    or am I screwed? I figure I'm not the first one to have this happen to
    himself. One last thing, my son was playing with the child proof locks on
    the door, are they tied in to this somehow?
     
    D/A Fischer, Aug 26, 2003
    #1
  2. D/A Fischer

    Tony Hwang Guest

    Hi,
    Your guess is right. Remove door panel and look, see.
    Linkage is disconnected or broken(not likely). A c-clip fell off
    or small part is worn out.
    Tony
     
    Tony Hwang, Aug 26, 2003
    #2
  3. Of course, I'm 99% sure you have to OPEN the door to remove the interior
    panel. Once the panel is off, you'll probably see the problem if you
    inspect things carefully. How to open the door is a tricky question. I'm
    sure it can be done, but I don't know how.
     
    Peter Doherty, Aug 26, 2003
    #3
  4. D/A Fischer

    tflfb Guest

    I am thinking something your son did, dis abled the door, call the dealer or
    look in the owners manual under child proof locks.

    Tom
     
    tflfb, Aug 27, 2003
    #4
  5. D/A Fischer

    Chip Stein Guest


    you can try a slim jim that's bent just right to catch the opening
    lever on the latch. the childproof part only affects the inside
    handle. you likely have a broken latch. pull the panel off with the
    door closed, sometimes you have to pull the seat out, but i do it all
    the time. haven't broken a panel yet.
    Chip
     
    Chip Stein, Aug 27, 2003
    #5
  6. D/A Fischer

    D/A Fischer Guest

    I've been able to get the door open, took out the inside handle, pulled on
    the rod and it opened. Still not sure what happened. Of course now you can
    only open the door from the inside, it seems that the outside handle is
    messed up, almost like it's not connected. I've been able to get the inside
    panel off about 80% but the sticking point is the handle you grab to open
    and close the door.
     
    D/A Fischer, Aug 27, 2003
    #6
  7. D/A Fischer

    Brian Smith Guest

    Are you sure that you've removed all of the fasteners?
     
    Brian Smith, Aug 27, 2003
    #7
  8. D/A Fischer

    E. Meyer Guest

    Now that you've gotten it opened, you might try flipping the child safety
    lock back and forth in case it is somehow stuck between on & off and causing
    the problem.
     
    E. Meyer, Aug 27, 2003
    #8
  9. D/A Fischer

    Stan_the_Bat Guest

    I've got the same problem with both passenger-side doors on my 97 Honda,
    and I find most of my friends are able to enter and exit through the
    windows, Dukes-of-Hazzard-style, just fine...

    ....NOT. As a matter of fact, I'd appreciate it if somebody could post
    a description of the method for removing the inside door panel. I was
    going to try the 'go monkey with it' method, but I thought I'd see if I
    could get a LITTLE more info than that first, lest I break something
    that's not already broken.

    Thanks-
     
    Stan_the_Bat, Oct 21, 2003
    #9
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