Door stuck shut. Problem solved

[Valett240sx]

95 Nissan 240sx

I had the same thing happen to me that i've read a lot about in other forums. My passenger door once opened was just bouncing instead of latching... Played with the latch and got it to shut. After that i couldn't get it open again.

In doing these steps i did crack the door panel slightly but not anything i cant fix with some glue or epoxy.

The conclusion i came to is that the rubber on the latch had pealed and kept my lock from working properly. also, i've been having issues with my door not locking very easily for a while, so i'm thinking my locking mechanism needs replaced. Once getting the door open it opens and closes fine but my locking mechanism is very stiff and i have to lock/unlock the door using my key + the inside lock at the same time. I haven't tried fixing the lock yet because i just got my door open a few hours ago.

****Before doing these steps try using your key and the inside lock at the same time to see if that gives enough force to unlock the door.

Step 1: Take the top half of your back seat off.
Step 2: Take the hinge off that supports the top half of the seat.
Step 3: Remove the passenger side rear interior plastic.
Step 4: Remove the weather stripping that runs along the side of the door.
Step 5: Unscrew the three screws that hold the bottom of your door panel on. (you will have to move your seat back and forth and to some wiggling but it is possible)
Step 6: Unscrew and take off the plastic piece behind your upper door handle.
Step 7: Unscrew and take out your lower door handle and detach your wires for your window and door lock.
Step 8: Pop the door panel towards you to undo the plastic rivets that hold it in place.
Step 9: Push the back of the panel up as far as you can. (you will need a flat-head screw driver to pry the door panel past the door handle as you try to lift it up)
Step 10: Starting from the top down try to pry the lip of the door panel past the door trim.
Note: You will not be able to take the door panel completely off. you will be able to pry it open just enough to see inside and do what you need to.
Step 11: Once you get the door panel open. follow the rods from your door lock to the latch which is located about half way down the door. once you locate the hinge point for the latch you can pop it with a small screw driver and wa la. the door should open.

Good luck and hope this helped a few of you.
If this doesn't fix the problem or if you destroy your car trying this i'm sorry. Just letting you all know what i did to fix my problem.