Locks and Latches

Had the same problem. Though the handle breaks easily, it may just be that the latch is rusted shut. Make sure you're using that lever to hook and pull the latch like you normally would, (you may have to hold it with two hands) but have somoene bang the hood of your car at the front near the center as you're doing it, it may pop open. I've had problems on my 89 having some rust that has that effect.

Ummm... I have a 2004 freestar whose back hatch wouldn't open either, but then I got smart/stupid and yanked on the handle really hard and presto!! It opened, but uh oh now it won't shut...So I guess that's how not to fix it unless you would rather it not shut than not open. I'm thinking about maybe spraying it with WD-40...Let you know if it works. If all else fails I will get my dad to look at. He's really smart about these kind of things.

Try spraying a bit of WD40 or similar lubricant into the keyhole and waiting a few minutes.

Hope this helps!

door/trunk locks are a simple cam lock with a lever attached to the inside end of your lock. this lever will have a hole with a rod attached to your lock/unlock button on your door panel. first use penetrating oil with spout like WD40, to spray inside lock. next, with window up, move rubber window seal back to spray any and all pivot points of the rod i mentioned in the begining. this will also help in winter from frozen locks if done in the fall. while your at it, spray you door handle mech. and rods, and latch mech. on end of door. this will help from outside handle breaking because of too much dry resistence on cheap made parts.

the hardest part is getting to the latch. You maybe able to get to it by reaching up behind the bumper or wedge a screwdriver between the hood and the top of the grille. The grille has 2 plastic tabs on top of the grille that hold it in. There are also 2 tabs on the bottom of the grille. Use the screwdriver to depress the top tabs to release the grille. Remove grille. Use your hand to follow hood latch cable to find the latch. Pull the lever attached to the cable to your right. This should release the main locking latch.

First call a dealer of your fridge in the yellow pages with your model number along with the serial number.

Next order the part if not on hand and if they have it buy it.

Next ask someone you know that's handy to replace it.

The first cars like the Stanley Steamer had mechanical door locks. The first car with power locks was a luxury car called the Scripps-Booth in 1914. It is unclear through most references which engineer working on the Scripps invented the power lock. Power locks were popularized by Packard luxury automobile Co in 1956. It is unclear through most references as to which engineers working for Packard invented their power locks.

At most common convenience stores. If you are referring to the snack by that brand name, the above answer applies. If you are referring to the door-opening tool called a slim jim, you can find them at nearly any auto parts stores, probably also at Walmart or K-Mart.

There is a spring clip that holds it on. Take a paperclip and bend the end about 1/8 inch at a right angle. Press the door panel in and you will see the clip on the backside of the door handle. One end is looped. slip the paperclip into the loop and pull. The retaining clip will slide out and the door handle will come off. To put the handle back on just. put the clip back in the slot on the handle and press it onto the shaft.

= outside door handle on a 1997 Toyota Camry. =

Check fuses

Hi, You should find the hood release inside the glove compartment on the right top. Steve H.

If the fuel cap is jammed when a Volkswagen Polo is open the lid can be wedge with a flathead screwdriver. Depending on whether the cap will come off or not, the unit may need to be broken off and replaced.

Check for instructions in the owner's manual.

On the edge of the door there'll be a thick bunch of wires with a plug on the end. Unplug from the door, peel back the rubber cover and chances are you'll find that one of the wires has broken. I had this with the drivers door, one wire was broken so I soldered and covered it with insulation tape and the door locked again. It appears that sometimes simply opening and closing the door can cause problems.

My dad had the same problem. Check the fuses, especially if you have a remote.

Usually it is the switch, if there is a switch on other doors use those to see it the locks work until eventually you find the one that does not work.

i approve of these answers, very well said

i dont know if your grill is like my 98 s 10 but i did the same thing. to open i just pulled the front grill off, it just snaps on with clips then you can find the broken cable and pull it viola it open IF YOU CAN GET YOUR GRILL OFF!

Probably depends on where it is broken but before you resort to a crowbar, go to any body shop. They'll probably show you how or pop it open for free.

If your door locks do not work manually via the switch on the drivers side control panel on the door, there is a good possibility that there is a short to ground or a loose ground contact through the switch. It locks when u start to drive it bc the locks are multiplexed through a ecu which takes reading from various input sensor in the car,(ie trans. position sensor, and throttle position sensor) Use a multimeter to search for a short to ground or possibly an open at the drivers side switch. If your problem is that the doors lock when you put the car in drive, you have no problem. It is designed to operate this way. Read your owner's manual! i sort of had the same problem, only the driver side lock on mine would only lock, so first i would check the switch on the door to see if you are getting power by using a multimeter. if there is power going there, which what happened to me, the take off the door panel and see if the rod is bent, and if it is just bend it back.

I just had to repair the driver's side door on my 87 Celica. The door release did not have much resistance when you pulled it. I removed the door panel and found that one of the door release rods had slipped out of the door release mechanism. The plastic retaining clip had cracked after 20 years of use. I bought a replacement at my dealer for less than six bucks, installed it, reinstalled the rod and everything is now working fine. It is a tight fit inside the door so give yourself enough time and a good flashlight to get the job done. Hint: I used tape back-wound around my finger to get the retaining clip into place.

It's tricky, but you have to manipulate the latch mechanism with a long flat bladed screwdriver from under the car. Reach up between the front exhaust manifold and the radiator, and start blindly fiddling. Push it in, then turn it. You're trying to turn the blade in a manner that forces the movable portion of the latch open. It helps a ton to see another identical car (LeSabre, Park Avenue, 88, etc) to get an idea of what you're trying to do.

www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com is a good resource, and you can typically find an 'expert' in your area to help.

www.cb7tuner.com Will answer all your problems

My wifes 2002 sport trac quit working from the inside but would open from the outside. It was the cheap plastic door latch a small piece had broken off. I hope this works.

You can prevent it from breaking By spraying all the moving parts with wd40 periodacly that will keep parts from getting stuck which causes handle to break instead of buying a new handle when mine broke I drilled a small hole through the two broken pieces and screwed a screw through the hole to attach the pieces back together it worked great.

That is a common problem with 2004 jettas. The power converter on the driver side door just needs a new carbon pump. You can pick up a universal one at a local auto parts store. 5 minute fix.

You may very well save yourself alot of time and money if you call a locksmith. -----------------------

Door lock cylinder: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pl8lo3fqQbQ Ignition lock cylinder: http://youtube.com/watch?v=D3o4IuScZZI

by opening it using the keys