HELP! 97 extended cab drivers door won't open.

[Zor]

The door is unlocked and won't open from inside or outside the cab. The electric door lock actuator was malfunctioning, but unlocking the door manually wasn't an issue til yesterday. Just bought the truck Monday and the lock actuator was at the top of my to do list so luckily the interior door panel is already off. Any advice would be great.

I'm at a loss. I've pulled the actuating cable as far as it'll go with pliers (the handle was already snapped) and nothing. Also tried pulling up on the unlock mechanism and using the exterior handle or interior cable at the same time, still nothing. Is the door still locked?

I can reach the latch inside the door but can't "find" the right piece to pull, push or pry on. Does anyone know if the latch actuates from the top or the bottom? Also, the cable does not go directly to the latch, what is that intermediate piece and could that be where the problem is?

I tried this in the 911 section with no response so I figured I'd try it here too.

Thanks in advance,
Zor

[pork chop]

I doubt that I will be much help, but here goes. Since you can get in the passenger side, pull the panel off that door and watch what it does when you pull the handle. Also what what it does when you actuate the lock. Reverse that image in your mind and it should get you to open the driver's door. If your lower hinge pin is shot, then you may have to lift up on the door slightly to get it to pop.

[Zor]

Thanks pork chop. I've tried observing the passenger side, but it's difficult to get a good view. It appears that actuation starts in the bottom of the hinge, but that's all I can tell so far. I'll try lifting up. Any thoughts on if the lock mechanism is not unlocking?

[pork chop]

Well, the only thought I have is that Ford (in their infinite wisdom) decided to use a crappy plastic arm on the back of the lock cylinder. That arm is prone to break. The parts guys were pretty damned clueless when I went to find one for my truck, but I eventually found one - for cheap too.

[bucwheat]

One of my rear doors on my CC do that,the elec. locks most of the time operate but sometimes I have to manualy pull up on the lock button.

[pork chop]

Sounds like a need for lubrication...