How do you remove the interior door panel of a 2 door 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?

Answer 1

It is almost all snaps. There are two screws hidden under a little pop-off panel near the handle.

After you remove the small plastic panel (3/4" x 3") remove the two Phillips head screws located there, then go down to the small red plastic lens (reflector) and remove it by slipping a slot screwdriver under it and pry it off. There is another Phillips screw in the back of the hole. Remove it, then go to the bottom of the door and drill out the two pop rivets on the bottom panel of the door (please see comment below), then you can slide a large slot screwdriver between the door and the panel and pop the fasteners loose and lift the panel off the door. Be careful not to damage the paint on the door when using the large slot screw driver (you can also go and buy a specific tool to pop off the panel- it's angled, heavy plastic so it causes less damage (about $7 at Autozone)).

Oldsmobile changed the window regulator and motor. You will need to purchase a new window regulator with a motor ($80.00 on internet, or you can get a refurbished one for about $55). If the plastic part located at each end of the window is broken you can buy the new regulator clips at the dealer ($36 each), rather than buy a whole new regulator. The dealers want $175.00 for a window regulator and $200.00 for a motor plus labor to install.

Comment:

I just removed the Panel from a 2002 Alero and on my Car, found that it was not necessary to drill out the two Pop Rivets at the bottom of the panel. On my car, those rivets held 2 plastic parts of the door panel together and were not involved with holding the panel to the door frame. I would suggest removing just the 3 screws (2 near handle, 1 under reflector) and try popping off the panel. I used a wooden paint stirring stick to avoid damaging the paint

Comment: window switch housing -- the two panel screws under the switch housing also hold a bottom piece of the housing with vertical metal clips into the top part of the housing. Pry downwards on this bottom piece to release the upper part of the housing. Switches will then pop out for disconnection before removing door panel.