Passenger door will not open

[surfah]

HELP! I have a 94 J30. I can't open my passenger door- from the inside , or outside. It seems like my door latch is not releasing the door.

Symptoms: When I use the power door lock switch, it goes"CRAZY". The door locks will open and close at random without me touching the switch. Doors lock automatically without touching the door lock switch- like it's possessed. I've read something about a door lock timer causing this. Can a faulty door lock timer prevent my door from opening? All other doors are OK.Any help is greatly appreciated.

[yodawill2000]

sounds like two problems .The timer will make them seem possesed (Locks)but you need to remove the inside panel from that door and see whats up . Maybe a broken latch mechanism.Instructions are at the J30 DIY section at fuzzycats.com

[surfah]

Thanks for the reply. I think it's two problems also. I went to fuzzycats.com, thanks. Very useful site.

Being that I'm unable to open the door, is there a way to take off the door panel without ruining the panel?

I called an infinity auto shop and one of the service guys recommended I take out the passenger seat and do my best at not destroying the panel. He didn't sound very confident that it could be done without cutting a hole in the panel (ouch). I think I'll save that option for last.

If the door latch is in fact closed, is there a way to manually unlatch it?Thanks for your input.

[yodawill2000]

Hmmm. Not sure .If I recall two of the screws are on the bottom.That would make it tough.Gotta be a way to jimmy that thing open.

[surfah]

Absolutely incredible! I got the door open without taking the door panel off! I took the other door panel off for reference and figured out where the door latch mechanism is located. On the locked door, I lifted the door panel off the door as much as I could so that I could see into the door. Then I got a long steel rod and started banging on the mechanism hoping something would jar loose. Sure enough, I heard a pop and I was able to use the outside door handle to open the door. WOW!

Now I need to figure out what to replace. Here's what I think I need:

1. Door latch mechanism2. Door lock and handle mechanism( the one with the two rods)3. Door lock timer

Can anyone tell me what I should replace now that I have the door panel off?

Can anyone point me in the right direction to where I can get these items?

[yodawill2000]

Good Job !!!Somebody here is bound to have gone through this.All Ive ever done is replace a window actuator.

[surfah]

I was almost ready to cut into the door panel! The GODS are with me!

I know I saw a picture of what I need here somewhere. I hope someone can point me in the direction. Otherwise I'll have to go to the stealer, oops, I mean dealer. Either way, I'm glad I'm not buying a door panel too!

[Elisha]

i have not been able to open the back passenger door since i bought the car 2 years ago and cannot open the panel as well. i have a latch that i bought more than a year and a half ago but haven't bothered changing it cause i do not want to damage the panel.so far it hasn't bothered me yet since i rarely have more than one passenger in the car.