I'm very remote right now, can I fix this myself? Help!

Brody · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:41 pm

Hey guys,

I'm in the woods right now, very far away from civilization. Writing you with this satellite thing.
Anyways the rear door handle seems to have disengaged from the locking mechanism. That's a real problem right now because of the gear I need to load and unload from the trunk.

Could you let me know how exactly the locking mechanism is supposed to be connecting with the handle so I can try and put it back together?
I removed the interior square plastic panel of the rear door that seems to give me access to the mechanism but I can't see well inside.

Your help would greatly be appreciated.

thanks!

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:49 pm

I was just in a junk yard messing with this, so I may be able to help here. I don't know how the inside of your door is currently situated, but there is supposed to be a vertical rod that is pushed down when the handle is pulled out. If you can find that rod, then the only other thing you need is a flat square feeling "switch" right near the top center of the latch mechanism, this will pull horizontally toward the center of the door (away from the door latch) and that is the locking part of the mechanism. Once that is unlocked, push down on the rod and the door should open.

I would suggest taking the interior plastic off (it just pulls off) and fixing everything while the door is open. Good luck!

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:55 pm

The mechanism that the slotted part pulls on is just above it. As you pull it out, it rotates counter clockwise if you were viewing it from the center of the vehicle. It has the electrical part that pops the window part of the mechanism as well. you may be able to use a wire hook to rotate that mechanism, or possibly a screwdriver if you can see the mechanism looking up into the access hole. If you have a small flat screwdriver and gently push up on the near side of that rotating part that may open it as well.

Good Luck

Brody · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:43 pm

Thanks guys for your prompt help it's really appreciated!
I played with it a little bit but it got dark so I'll have to wait in the morning it will be easier.

I'll keep you posted.

geordi wrote:

I would suggest taking the interior plastic off (it just pulls off) and fixing everything while the door is open. Good luck!

After the little square piece is removed I start pulling using that as a grip or I should start pulling from somewhere else?

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:55 pm

If you can get your hand in that little opening, reach toward the passenger side, you should be able to feel the vertical rod Geordi mentioned. If you can pull down hard enough that will pop the door open.

joe_ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:01 am

Here's the lever on the side of the latch which gets pushed down by the rod, and the backside of the handle. If you're able to reach in, grab that big (cast zinc?) thing just above the handle, and pull it toward the front of the vehicle, that should do the trick.

Or there's a hole in the door near the latch where you may be able to fit your finger through and press down on the lever:

Brody · **Posted:** Tue Dec 13, 2016 9:09 pm

All right, got internet right now so I can do a little update. Thank you again everyone for chipping in! Made all the difference in the world!

I was able to open the rear door, then remove the panel and I messed around a long time to finally be able to put the mechanism back together but it’s not quite right. I think something has been damaged, or a some part broken that makes this all work together nicely.

I can now open the rear door with the handle but the handle is very stiff and not smooth like it used to be. It’s also easy for the mechanism to loosen itself from the handle if you pull too hard.

I’ve included some photos of the loosened mechanism so you might perhaps have some input as to what is missing/wrong.

That's from underneath

Here the handle is pulled out from the outside.

Here it's back in. There's such a distance between the metal part and plastic handle I'm thinking maybe a piece is missing?

And here that's as far the handle pulls out to unlock the door (the mechanism has been inserted back into the handle slot). The other handles pull out twice as more.

joe_ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:21 pm

Looks like a chunk of the metal part that goes into the plastic handle broke off. You're probably going to have to either buy a new handle or grab one from a junkyard.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Tue Dec 13, 2016 11:32 pm

X2. It looks like the cast metal C that fits in the top of the handle slot is broken. You can see it in your photo of the "handle back in".

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2016 1:00 am

If you dig around the bottom of the door below the latch you may find the broken piece. Could be a metal piece or a plastic piece that fit over the metal that remains. I really don't know which.

Brody · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:14 pm

Yeah makes sense the C part being broken but it was so hard to tell.
I tried to dig for broken piece but couldn't find it.

I guess I'll eventually grab one from a junkyard!

Thanks guy again for your help !

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:26 pm

Just a reminder of what should be obvious. This is a KJ item not a KJ CRD specific item so an gasser in the bone yard of the right years will do.

I'm very remote right now, can I fix this myself? Help!

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