How do you open rear door of 2000 Sienna when link between handle and lock is broken?

Answer 1

I have a 2003 Sienna. Go to your owners manual and under replacing tail lights and stop lights you will find instructions on how to remove the back panel covering of the rear door/hatch. You need to get at the lock from the inside of the van. In my manual the info is on pages 317 and 318.

To do this you must remove the second and third row seats so you can get at the door. You can not open the rear hatch from the outside.

In particular, you have to remove the overhead strap and the inside door handles by removing the screws. The screws are covered by plastic slip over faring. the strap faring slides off, the handle covers pop up as per page 317. You remove the handles/ straps.

Of course ,these handle are now down near the floor with the door closed.

Then you gently pull off the plastic inside door covering to expose the lock. You will see the cable that goes from the outside handle to the locking attachment. Just pull on the cable and the door will open.

Once the door is open, just remove the entire mechanism and take it to Toyota parts department and as soon as they see it, they will tell you they have a replacement unit. Buy the whole unit. Mine cost about 35.00. The plastic part is doesn't glue well. I tried it and then some.

Note: the inside door covering is held to the door frame with white plastic snap in plugs, these plugs sometimes fall out of the covering when trying to replace the cover after putting in a new latch assembly. Line up all the white plugs in their slots then match them to the holes in the door frame and gently push them back in. If they are out of line the cover will not snap back in evenly. Check the floor of your workplace before you do this, one may have fallen on the ground, then you need to remove the cover again to put one plug back in. Good Luck..Will26c@juno.com