M35x 2006 Driver door interior/exterior handles not working

[Ceara]

We just obtained and licensed a 2006 Infiniti M35X last week, and upon arriving at home from work, I was unable to open the driver side door with either the interior or exterior handle. Had to climb over the console to get out on the passenger side. LOL

The lock seems to work, as you can hear it when the door handle button is pushed, or use the keyring buttons.

So I'm wondering, according to the diagrams online, there are 3 cables that attach to the door actuator. One to the interior handle, one to the exterior handle and one to I'm not sure where exactly.

Logic says to me that something is wrong with the main actuator in the door, but is it possible that it's only either a grease problem or are the cables broken/damaged somehow?

I'm just trying to gauge what it will cost me to have this repaired. If it's just a cable problem, are those able to be replaced without replacing the entire actuator?

We also live in a place far away from any Infiniti dealer. The nearest one is in Quebec City, which is about a 10 hour drive away. So, will the local Nissan dealer be able to get the door and door panel open to make the repairs?

[tigerclaws1318]

Sounds like the cable isn't even hooked onto the door handle. You can take it to your Nissan dealer and have them take the door panel off and see what's up but they will charge you an hour labor.

[a.blanco0905]

There's only 2 cables... & here's the instructions on how to take the door panels off so you can take a look & possibly fix the issue...

diy-how-to-remove-m45-and-m35-y50-inter ... 19940.html

[Ceara]

Yes I've seen this diagram before, but the door cannot be opened and my husband is unable to wiggle the door panel off while it's closed. (Or at least that's what he told me.)

So does this mean the panel could be taken off while the door is closed? Or do we need someone to use a tool to get it open?

[Ceara]

Sounds like the cable isn't even hooked onto the door handle. You can take it to your Nissan dealer and have them take the door panel off and see what's up but they will charge you an hour labor.

I'm hoping that is the only problem, and that the lock assembly isn't broken somehow.

But I am wondering, how could the cable unhook like that? Certainly it's a rare issue, from what I'm able to read online.

We never had any trouble like this with the other Nissan vehicles so I'm a bit baffled. *shrugs*