Help Door latch broken!!!

[Barndoor]

Hi,

I have a 90 sedan deville. Something is broken inside the drivers side door and I can't get it open. I think one of the plastic parts is broken, will a slim jim be able to open the door if the latch is broke. We have tried the key and door locks over and over with no luck. pushing the button and pulling the latch inside or out do nothing, I'm not feeling any resistance either way. I have a replacement latch ready to install but need to get the door open to fix it any help would be great. Plus getting out on the passanger side is getting old!

[Ranger]

I think a slim jim should work.

[Eric]

Removal of passenger door trim panel would show you how door opener works. Presume manual not available.

[Barndoor]

I had a locksmith try to get it open today. He worked on it for 20 min and gave up. A body shop wanted to charge me $50 per hour to try but were less than happy about it. I will take off the other panel and try another locksmith, that is a great idea.

The interior is burgandy so worse case I will try and find matching interior, I need a new drivers seat as well.

thank, barnoor

[caddy-F]

I had the same problem in my 90 fleetwood it wasnt the door latch it was the lock mechanism so try the slim jim to unlock it...

[Barndoor]

Thanks for the info. I am afraid the lock may be ok but something is bent in the series of pully's, locksmith has tried with a slim jim and no luck. Does anyone know how to find a used door panel, I think I know the answer... salvage yard... Ok I will look in some local yards, I could buy a parts car if it had good interior, I need seats, headliner and other velour parts any way.

[Ranger]

Try http://www.cadauto.com

[Barndoor]

Caddy-F you are probally correct. I am going to take the replacement latch with me to the locksmith and try again to get it open. I contacted Rangers web site connection and no luck on the new door panel.

Once I get it open I will install the new latch and should be good to go. Caddy-F did a locksmith get your door open or are you handy with a slim jim from a past life of crime?

[caddy-F]

no but i did it myself i pried the door panal open and pushed one of the connecting rods and the door opened if you can get to the access hole the rod i pushed was all the way to the outer door skin and beside the door latch push it up and while your pushing it up pull the handle...get back to me

[Barndoor]

How did you pry the door panel open with the door closed? Did you take of the arm rest or go down the weather strippine and window. I have a coupe Deville latch off a 90 but the bolt patterns are different, but I can see how the key works and It looks like if I can pull up enough the door will open. let me know my kids keep making fun of me getting out on their side! Thanks for the help, Oh and did you use the "old style slim jim" or the round bent things the locksmith use?

[Barndoor]

Update,

I took the latch found at u pull it to the locksmith and we removed the panel and in 15-20 min. got lucky and opened the door! I drove over to my friends shop and we removed the panel and latch.

The funny thing is the lock works fine out of the car. Put it back in and hook up the bars and no workie. We ended up putting it in minus the door locks being hooked up. Now its off to find a different u pull it drivers side latch and key and outside door innerds to see if that will work.

I can't lock the drivers side door but can at least get in and out of that side now. I can't use the latch I have now because it came off a coupe Deville and since mine is a sedan the doors are different.

[caddy-F]

well barndoor im glad to here you got it open... and im doin the same thing right now jus not locking the drivers door...