driver side door latch issues

[Geoff Reese]

99 1500 4wd. Recently started not being able to open the door from the inside. The handle seems to not pull the latch open far enough to open the door. How can I take the door panel off to check the linkage.

[Greg]

We have the same problem on our 95. What happened is the handle is plastic and thru years of use has failed.

Taking the panel off is easy, you can pick up a door panel romval tool for about $10 at NAPA, but a puty knife will work if you are carefull. just slide it between the panel and the door and gently pry.

Unfortunately once you get the panel off, you will not be able to do anything else to fix this. The handle is part of an assembly that is rivetted to the door (with a rather large rivet).

I'm debating getting a replacement door from a salvage yard, but that really just trades problems.

Good Luck.

[JHumm]

Had the same problem with a 95. The handle gets bent and wont open the door,but you can replace just the handle if you have the right tools its not to hard to do

[Shane]

Same problem with 99 Suburban and pulled door apart twice and modified the latch to get it to work again. Last time I verified that if one pushed the linkage tied to the door handle all of the way down the latch still didn't release, so the problem is definitely with the latch. I'm looking to buy a new latch.

[slimjim]

same problem with 99 suburban careful i tried rigging it up to work and it broke it is only plastic (handle)

[Mick]

So, I have both the front and rear passenger door handles broken (hey, we have 5 kids, so ours goes through alot). I've bought a new handle, but can't figure out how to get the old handle off. There is a trim piece around the handle assembly that I can't seem to get off. It feels like if I pry too hard, it will break. Does it push left or push right?

[Justin]

weoll, once the full door panel is off, now its time to attack the actual handle trim. slide a flat head screwdriver inbetween the handle assembly and the trim "ring". there should be a tab on the handle part that holds the ring. one on top, the rear edge and the bottom. be carefull.

i know the handle's rivetted on, but does anyone know if there a screw/bolt set that will allow you to replace the handle or will i need to re-rivit in the new handle?

[Bob]

I've got a 99 Sub and was having similar type problems. (Not being able to open the door easily from the inside, seemed as though the latch was not fully disengaging, had to really push hard on the inside against the door to get out) Turned out that the hinge pins have a brass bushing on them that wears out. Had those replaced and it works better than it ever had. I almost throw the door of the hinges when I open it up now because I'm so used to really pushing hard to get out from the inside. What a difference $128.00 made.

[fishcutter]

I have the same drivers side door won't open from the inside. Hmmmmmmmmmm sounds quite common. Way to go GM. Hope you saved ummmmmm 50 cents screwing your customer. Out of six doors ( including barn doors on back ) 5 are having problems. This is on a car with just barely 100K. I will never buy American crap cars again.

[Jake]

I've got a GMC 99 Sub with the same problem drivers passenger door doesn't work from the inside or outside. At first I thought someone was trying to break in and broke it. Now I find out it is a common problem...I still haven't gotten it fixed. Thanks for GMC...

[Double G]

95 Cavalier having the same trouble. Anyone know how to get the latch off of the rods?

[DanG]

'95 K2500, I had one problem with the latch itself getting crudded up and not working. I live on dirt roads, and the dust had built up in it very heavily...the grease was more like silly putty. This caused the latch to be hard to operate, and then the handle started breaking, short stroking the unlatch motion. So folks pulled harder. Eventually the handle broke.

It is actually not too bad a job to pull off the trim panel, then the handle trim assembly...the second time. My very expensive manual covers this very poorly.

Drilling off the rivet head on the handle assembly leaves the rivet itself poking out. Then you can pry the plastic trim piece up off of the rivet and slide the trim asssembly (forward, I think - but fore and aft anyhow) to get the asssembly out to replace the handle.

The handle costs about $35 US. The latch itself was almost double that. Hope this fixes it for me.

I think I could have degreased the old latch, and then lubricated it with some dry lube, but it did not seem worth it.

Taking the door apart far enough to replace the latch was a bit of a pain, due mainly to poor instructions. I think you must have the window in the right position - not fully closed.

My '95 k2500 big block with auto transmission has been almost entirely trouble free, other than this.

I did have to replace the heater hose adapter.

[DanG]

Double G wrote:

95 Cavalier having the same trouble. Anyone know how to get the latch off of the rods?

If you can get to see well enough, you can see how it clips on, but it is very hard to see it.

Go and look at a new latch - it will come with a new rod clip.

I destroyed my clip the first time I took it off.

I can try to take a photo of one, if you would like. I think I have one laying around. Now, where did I put that thing?

[Steve G]

Had same problem with 99 K1500. I ordered a new latch, drilled out the rivet and used an appropriate sized bolt. Works fine now.

My problem now is the back barn door latch came apart. Does anyone know of a website that would show the schematic for this so I can determine if it just came apart or is there a broken piece?

[MaryT]

I have a 95 cavalier, and am trying to fix this thing on my own. The drivers door will now NOT latch at all. I have been trying to get the door panel off, but to my disgust, not an easy job at all. I just want to know how in the world the door panel comes off!!!!

[eric g]

I have a 96 grand prix with the same type of problem. The driver side door will not open from either the inside or outside. A real pain to get in from the passenger side door. Is there any suggestions on how to resolve this issue. Can't remove the door panel since some of the screws are hidden becuase of the door is closed.

[hep me please]

what do i have to do? my drivers door wont stay closed. latch is in the up position, not stuck down,, but my door wont catch onto the striker plate. whats wrong with my door?:(((((

[99 Tahoe driver]

Hey GM how about a recall? Everyone is having this problem with your planned obsolecense plastic japanparts!
Driver door does not open from inside of my '99 Tahoe driver, must reach outside to open it.

[Robert]

I am having the same problem way to GMC you guys are a bunch of screw ups.

[98 Silverado Pickup]

My driver side inside latch won't open the door. I have to roll down my window and open from the outside. Was hoping to find an easy fix?