Door will not open

zj95 · 01-31-2009, 12:56 PM

In an attempt to fix my rear passenger door PL I have managed to unable the door completely.

Steps I took to get there.
1. Removed door panel and latch.
2. Took latch apart, cleaned and lubed
3. Reinstalled latch and rods, all felt well.
4. Closed door to test.

I must have put the child safe switch to unable the interior door handle. The outside door handle is not opening the door either. I can feel the exterior handle move the rod it is supposed to, but it does not open the door. I have played with the lock and nothing works.

Does anyone know how to get it open? I did not reinstall the interior door panel so I still have access from the inside.

This is what I get trying to knock out a task quick while the baby naps!!

95 ZJ Loredo

elmer_fud · 01-31-2009, 01:54 PM

if you still have the interior pannel off, you should be able to reach in and pull part of the latching mechanism. One of the connections you pull should open the door. If you know where the exterior handle is supposed to be connected I would start there.

zj95 · 01-31-2009, 06:26 PM

I worked all of the rods from the interior. I was able to flip the child lock as well and no dice. Whatever I did to the latch mechanism, it didn't appreciate it.

I took off the panel behind the door and can see the bolts and plate for the striker. I am going to grind the plate and bolts off at the sheetmetal and hope that the sriker will just come with the latch when I open the door.

Does anyone have a striker and bolts laying around from an old rig to sell cheap?

elmer_fud · 01-31-2009, 11:03 PM

maybe try jamming the door in a bit, and see if it will give the latch a bit of room to shift, then try opening it. If not sounds like drilling the bolts out would work

zj95 · 02-08-2009, 08:33 PM

Well I got it open in time to go to the Parker 425. There where a few nice ZJs and WJs around.

I removed the side panel behind the door and removed the seat belt. I had to remove a little sheet metal to get at the bolts. Bolts cut off easy enough and I was able to open it with the striker still attached to the door. Cut the striker apart so I could remove the lock/latch mechanism and replaced with new. Glad I picked up a new striker while I was at the 4x4 yard. That door latch was not going to let go!.

So the lesson is, watch youreslf when you try and rebuild your locks!!

01-31-2009, 06:26 PM	#3
zj95 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 32 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I worked all of the rods from the interior. I was able to flip the child lock as well and no dice. Whatever I did to the latch mechanism, it didn't appreciate it. I took off the panel behind the door and can see the bolts and plate for the striker. I am going to grind the plate and bolts off at the sheetmetal and hope that the sriker will just come with the latch when I open the door. Does anyone have a striker and bolts laying around from an old rig to sell cheap?

02-08-2009, 08:33 PM	#5
zj95 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 32 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well I got it open in time to go to the Parker 425. There where a few nice ZJs and WJs around. I removed the side panel behind the door and removed the seat belt. I had to remove a little sheet metal to get at the bolts. Bolts cut off easy enough and I was able to open it with the striker still attached to the door. Cut the striker apart so I could remove the lock/latch mechanism and replaced with new. Glad I picked up a new striker while I was at the 4x4 yard. That door latch was not going to let go!. So the lesson is, watch youreslf when you try and rebuild your locks!!