SigEpCutlass Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 As the title states, my front passenger door won't open from the outside door handle. Back in late February the door froze shut and I practically had to force it open from the inside. I'm assuming that's where the problem started, as the door stopped opening from the outside shortly after I forced it open. I can still open the door from the inside handle. I tried last weekend to fix it, but I couldn't really tell how to adjust the linkages when I took the door apart. The linkage for the outside door handle did seem to have a bit of play to it, whereas the inside linkage was pretty taunt. My Haynes manual is incredibly vague on how to fix this. Summary: 1994 Cutlass 4DR Sedan Right front passenger door won't open from outside Door opens ONLY from the inside Locking mechanism is operating correctly both with a key and the power lock control Appears linkage for outside handle needs adjustment Anyone have any advice on how to adjust/fix the linkage(s)? If it's not the linkage, what do I need to fix? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Do all the W-bodies have problems with door handles. 4 doors and 2 doors? I would take the door panel off and see if you can get the outside door handle off and try to adjust the linkages. Otherwise I would take it in, I can't stand doorhandles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted April 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Do all the W-bodies have problems with door handles. 4 doors and 2 doors? I would take the door panel off and see if you can get the outside door handle off and try to adjust the linkages. Otherwise I would take it in, I can't stand doorhandles. The door handle is not broken. I already took the door completely apart last weekend & put it back together (not looking forward to doing it again). It appears that when I pull the door handle, the linkage is too "loose" to complete the movement necessary to open the door. I was unable to figure out how to adjust the linkage attached to the door handle, as it had a bit of play to it. Honestly, I think I just need someone to advise me how to adjust the linkage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 When did I say the handle was broken? Talk to Ken he should know how. Otherwise I would just fiddle around with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 I've ran into the problem several times in my install bay, those finicky rods getting slightly bent out of shape, and then you can't open the door. If you can, take off your door panel. Then, pull on the interior door handle to see which rod is for that. Now, grab that rod and pull back towards the door handle, this should open the door. If this works, put a slight bend in the rod to tighten it up a bit. Now, if this doesn't work, the part in the door jamp that actually holds the door closed and locks around that little rod may be jammed or gummed up. Get some WD40 or some Silicon Lubricant, and soak it down, and try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 I don;t feel like expalining it fully. best thing to do is to tweek and stretch the rod, as the straighter it is the less propensity it has to bend further. then adjust the rod. want more? PM me and we can talk on the phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 I don;t feel like expalining it fully. best thing to do is to tweek and stretch the rod, as the straighter it is the less propensity it has to bend further. then adjust the rod. want more? PM me and we can talk on the phone. Pretty much what I said in my post. He may have to bend it a bit more to make it tighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Chris & Ken...your suggestions were exactly what I needed. I was very hesitant before to do anything with those rods. I got the door working correctly...it was just a matter of getting just the right amount of kink needed to ensure the rod was taunt enough. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I have to do it at work all the time, it's nothing to get scared about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiiirt Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I have the same problem. Are there any write-ups for removing the door panel? I was at the j/y a while back and I seriously laid an ass whooping into a door panel trying to get it off, I don't want to do this to mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I have the same problem. Are there any write-ups for removing the door panel? I was at the j/y a while back and I seriously laid an ass whooping into a door panel trying to get it off, I don't want to do this to mine. I posted these install guides in the Car Audio section: http://www.wbodydb.com/tutorials/audioinstall/Cutlass88-93.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I have the same problem. Are there any write-ups for removing the door panel? I was at the j/y a while back and I seriously laid an ass whooping into a door panel trying to get it off, I don't want to do this to mine. I posted these install guides in the Car Audio section: http://www.wbodydb.com/tutorials/audioinstall/Cutlass88-93.pdf That pretty much covers what I did to some extent. You're going to want to get one of these to ensure that you don't damage your door panel: The above tool is a door panel removal tool that can be purchased at most any major auto parts store for less than $15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiiirt Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SigEpCutlass Posted April 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 No problem...hopefully you have what you need to fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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