I have a 1998 Explorer AWD...normally I love it. :) Today, I drove to Target...parked, hit the unlock button as I normally do before exiting (so the other doors are also unlocked), but the button wouldn't come up! If I pull on the handle, the door won't open. I got out through the passenger side (fun) and tried to insert my key to unlock it manually. I felt no mechanism. I can turn the key in either direction and I feel nothing. The people at the local repair shop want to do an $80 computer diagnostic before they'll do any work on the vehicle. Has anyone seen this happen and a.) how do I open the door and b.) can an average guy DIY-fix this and c.) if b. is yes, how? :) Thanks, Dave

If it is what happened to me ( locks wouldn't work but the handle would cause I did not break the whole piece just the part that pushed the lock up) but it ended up being a $4 part from Ford and about an hour or so to fix not knowing anything about the door panel, but having worked on doors a bit. that was on a 94. don't know if this helps - I think I would contact the dealer. talk to the service manager and see if he can help you out to. Can you hear the solenoid in the driver door? May be hard to distinguish from the others in the car. But since the key won't work either then that kind of rules out a bad solenoid. The parts department should be able to give you an exploded view of the door so you can look for the part between the key/interior door handle and the lock mechansim. Make sense? Good luck. I am having my own issues with nothing locking on the power locks, the drivers door won't unlock anything but the passengers will ??????? I think mine is relay related. Jerry > I have a 1998 Explorer AWD...normally I love it. :) > > Today, I drove to Target...parked, hit the unlock button as I normally > do before exiting (so the other doors are also unlocked), but the > button wouldn't come up! If I pull on the handle, the door won't open. > I got out through the passenger side (fun) and tried to insert my key > to unlock it manually. I felt no mechanism. I can turn the key in > either direction and I feel nothing. > > The people at the local repair shop want to do an $80 computer > diagnostic before they'll do any work on the vehicle. > > Has anyone seen this happen and a.) how do I open the door and b.) can > an average guy DIY-fix this and c.) if b. is yes, how? :) > > Thanks, > Dave
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Thanks—how do I get the door panel off?

“:Dave

 

> Re: Broken Driverside Lock > Posted by: "Dave Saunders" dave@... ? nemock > > Mon Sep?18,?2006 8:58?am (PST) > Thanks-how do I get the door panel off? > > ":Dave On mine there are a set plastic clips around the sides and bottom, screws around door handle area. Pop all surrounding clips use something like a putty knife with tape or padding around it. The first one is the hardest then they come off easier. There is probably a special tool for it. and you might check to see if a 98 is different. I bought an extra set of the plastic clips (cheap from the dealer). Once the panel is loose you have to work it up off the lip the window area while holding the door handle open and ..... You are probably better off with a manual for your model that will detail the procedure better than what I can tell from what I did to my 94. http://www.jerryhadamphoto.com jerry@... P 208-726-3834 F 208-726-7669 C 208-720-2383 Toll Free 888-540-8053 Located in: Saddletree Gallery 471 Leadville Ave N Ketchum, ID 83340 Mailing address: Jerry Hadam Photography Box 2749 Ketchum, ID 83340
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