biggyfries Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 I saw a 94 Cutlass convert and spoke to the owner who said he was moving and was going to sell his car. It was driven by a 16-yr-old son for quite awhile and was given NO care whatsoever. It was a bit shabby, but is a loaded car with only 37K miles!! So I bought it fairly cheap and have set about repairing things bit by bit. My first thing was to fix the driver's door ext handle, I wanted to disconnect the batt but couldn't figure out how to do that, so I dug out the battery, and found it was ancient, needing replacement, so I am in the process of doing that today. Still have not gotten the door apart! Whenever I clean something or adjust something it looks like new under all the dirt. I am pleased at the way it is responding to the attention, and I expect to have it looking great very soon. Now that I have access to this site I will have plenty of questions about odd things--this is a VERY different car than I am familiar with--I was a Mustang restorer for many years (65-66 mainly) and have much to learn about this car! Nothing translates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Wow, nice find! And welcome to the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94 olds vert Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Welcome! Lools like a nice find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Nice find! Welcome to the site! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakdown Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 One trick that I use to disonnect batteries in AJAM & AMY (if you simply want to be safe and don't need to replace said battery) is to. Use one full length 3/8" drive extention and attach it to a second half length extention wth the correct socket on the end and you can thread the device through and turn where near the hood release, this pretty much works on all 1st Gen's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Welcome! Nice score! For the door handle, it's really easy. You only need to take off that plastic door bezel behind the handle, in the sill of the door. 2 screws to get that off, 1 screw and 2 crush nuts to get the handle off, and 2 clips holding the lock rod and the opener rod onto the handle. Don't mess up the clips too bad, you'll need them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 My car had the original door handle when I bought it, however, not in very good shape (bent and scraping). I had to remove the inner door panel to remove a screw that held the outside trim piece in place to allow the door handle to be pulled away from the car to be removed. Ever wonder what that extra hole at the bottom of the door handle was for? ( or maybe there's just an indent on the aftermarket ones, it's only been 5 yrs ago). To keep the trim tight to the car. I used duct seal putty to hold the trim so I don't have to remove the inner door panel to change the door handle next time, and you know it's going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psych0matt Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 welcome aboard, looks like a nice grab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggyfries Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Removing my handle seems anything BUT easy--I removed the tin access panel behind the handle (removed 3 screws) removed several other nuts,screws securing the black verticle piece surrounding the handle. From there I seem to be stumped--the black tin won't let go (can't remove it) and I don't see how to remove anything else at this point. My lighted key cylinder came apart and is jammed in there in such a way I can't get it to do anything productive. Wow, it seems like a nightmare to a beginner like me. I don't see a sticky about fixing the door handle but have read page after page of verbage that doesn't apply to my mess. Am I discouraged? Kinda. I know this has been covered by many others before me and I know I will prevail eventually, but right now I am stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggyfries Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Man I bet if you were here you'd have this thing figured out in no time. I usually like these kind of challenges but today I am stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 The vertical black trim is part of the door handle, It's all one piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich_e777 Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) Man I`m happy you saved it. 37K miles? Really? Sounds almost to good to be true. What engine does it have? If you plan on really getting into this car you will love the dealership manuals for it. I got a used one for about $70 and its worth WAY more. The door handles might be stuck behind the trim, once all the self threading things are off there might be one or two little TORX screws around the key cylinder. Its been awhile since I had to mess with mine I cannot recall exactly. I always tell everyone when replacing these things to take a dremel tool or grinding mechanism to the brass sliding piece that sort of pivots where it makes contact and try to round off that edge to keep it from gouging the metal over time. I had a few pics but could take some new ones if needed. Forgot to add that even pointless question get replies here, don't hesitate to ask about anything but be prepared for the replies. Edited July 25, 2014 by rich_e777 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 ...and generally not repairable. The long bar tends to snap in half, resulting in a door handle that doesn't work, and usually leans way out from the body of the car. I used to keep a emergency stock of coupe handles for the Cutlass, but I've used all of them up, and haven't found a good one at a junkyard in at least a couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_mezz Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Nice find and welcome to the site! Here's one of the door handle threads... http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/43727-GEN-1-Coupe-Door-Handles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.