J30 door problem

[mrdwidle1]

I have a 94 J30. Somehow the drivers door handle quit working. The door is closed. The outside handle will not open the door. The inside door handle will not open the door. When you use the electric locks, it will unlock and then automatically lock again, but the door still will not open. I am not sure what caused it. I am hoping someone might be able to give me insight as to how to get the door open. The catch is you have to take the panel off to get to the door mechanics, but you have to have the door open to take the panel off. Please help.........................

[gniknave]

So right now you're pullin a "Dukes of Hazard"? Honestly, I don't have a solution for this one. If you can get that door open, be prepared to take the door panel off before closing it again.

[driverdriver]

Go here:

http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30_diy.htm

go to the door lock issues PDF file.

[mrdwidle1]

I am still a bit new to this forum thing. I looked at the write up on the door problem and it refers to the 'door lock timer'. It says it is about $60 from 'TJ'. What is 'TJ'?

[elwesso]

TJ=Joe=Infiniti of scottsdale=1888 216 5328

Talk to one of the guys there.. Ive been talking to Frank a lot as well as Joe and theyre all super nice guys!!!

[j30freak]

It's the door latch. I had the same problem with my 93.

[metaverse3]

Before you do anything, take apart the door panel and look inside. Might be something simple. It is impossible to be door lock timer related since as you stated, the door unlock and locks right away...your lock timer is talking to your door lock actuators (motor that controls the physical door lock mechanism) and responding to door switch commands. The sudden unlock and then lock is part of the timer design to react back to original state when resistance is detected in the circuit/mechanism. Basically, it comes back to the point where it started when it runs into or detects an issue. you started out with a locked door, you hit unlock, and it goes back to rested state: locked door ! If you've read the schematics of nissan/infiniti door lock design..a bad pin switch can also cause this since the BCM (body control module) when present, cannot read the status of the doors (open/closed) and decides to go back to where it began (rested state)

It does indeed sound like a physical issue...although sometimes I dread that on the J30 there might be no physical mechanism that is controlled by either the door handle or keyhole switch..just pure electronics. Basically, pulling the door handle and/or using the door keyhole to lock/unlock might just be activating electronic circuitry that uses the motor to release latches and lock/unlock doors. you might have noticed how effortless it is to lock and unlock the door using a key and to pull the door handle..almost like feathertouch. I have yet to read this part in the service manual..maybe now is a good time as any..

[Elisha]

i have the same problem with my 93 j30. at first it was just the back passenger door and now its the back driver door. just won't open inside or out. but unlocks when you use the remote. but just won't open.

[driverdriver]

Welcome to Nico!

I would take apart the door an take a look. Could be a circuit problem or a mechnical door latch/lock problem.

O'Regans on Kempt Road should be able to hook you up with parts. Oh how I miss King of Donair.

[Elisha]

awesome.but everytime i go to Kemp Rd they grin as if saying to themselves "We have a Sucker Coming"i actually priced the part before and they said it costs $3.50 but labout if i'm not mistaken is $84.75 there.

[driverdriver]

labour by the hour is $85 up here, so you're a whole $0.25 cheaper in Halifax. What part is it?

[Elisha]

not sure it was a little plastic looking clip i think. this was in september when one of the back doors wouldn't work.i didn't fix it cause it was only me driving but now both back doors won't open so i need to fix it!

[driverdriver]

You can always buy the part and get a local mechanic to put it in for cheaper. It shouldn't be that hard. The last time I was in Scotia visiting in-laws, I'm pretty sure I was the only J there (although I did see one in a scrap yard on the way to Peggy's Cove). My car did turn some heads and the locals did come and asked me what I drove. So are you one of the few J's in the maritimes?

[Elisha]

definately. although i've seen a silver one and another black j30t around. but not very often.everyone asks me if its a jag.

i have another question.....if the door is an electronic problem and not a mechanical one.....how do i fix it?

[driverdriver]

It would than be a door lock timer problem. You can find the fix for it in the DIY section of http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30.htm

[Elisha]

well i totally remember how my other door got jammed........i thought i unlocked the car and tried yanking the back door to get my snow scraper.after i yanked the back door a few times and it didn't open i realized that i did not unlock the car. and after i unlocked the car that door wouldn't work anymore.so if it is the lock timer good gor me but if its the latch i'm not sure.

i called Kemp Rd and they wanted $144 for the lock timer and $186 for the latch.sounds insane to me.
Modified by Elisha at 11:31 AM 2/3/2005

[STECH]

Its not the door lock timer all doors will lock.It sounds like the door latch and possibly the actuator.

[driverdriver]

i called Kemp Rd and they wanted $144 for the lock timer and $186 for the latch.sounds insane to me.

Modified by Elisha at 11:31 AM 2/3/2005

Welcome to Infiniti ownership. Parts are not cheap.

[Elisha]

Its not the door lock timer all doors will lock.It sounds like the door latch and possibly the actuator.

is the latch an easy DIY job or am i looking at a lot of work?mind you i've never messed with a car before ....only computers.

[driverdriver]

I think you need to take the door panel off.....I'm not sure. I dunno how much work this is.

[STECH]

not too bad to do.first you remove the door panel ,then the rods for the inside door handle and ouside door handle.they are connected to the actuator.you can just remove them from there.They are plastic clips with the rod connection in the middle.just move the clips up and remove the rod.Then disconnect the connector for actuator and remove the 10mm bolt that hold that in.Then the screws that hold in the latch itself.When you have it out in your hand there will be 2 small phillips to seperate the latch with the actuator.reverse to install

[Elisha]

awesome thanx. so the whole panel can come off even when the door won't open from the inside or the outside?

[STECH]

you need to have the door open.i got the door open once by luck.i kept on trying to unlock it while pulling on the outside door handle.

[Elisha]

thast gonna be tough. mine won't budge.