Third door wont open

Tiny
FRANK2318
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD F-150
The third door will not open. It releases at the bottom but not at the top. It has a rubber cover at the top I removed to see if I can get to the latch no luck.
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Thursday, January 29th, 2009 AT 6:09 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Remove the plastic trim on the upper door push down on striker and open door and then take panel off see what broke or came loose

There are some diagrams attached below to help you get the door panel off so you can inspect the latch
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
GWALTON991
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD F-150
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 162,000 MILES
My third door won't open unless I pull the cable to release the top latch on the 3rd door. Need to know how to fix it. If I knew what it was supposed to look like I could fix it.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SWEENDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My 1998 3rd door wouldnt open and I had to replace the cable in the door. The cable got frayed or something along those lines. I lengthened it at first but it broke the 2nd time I opened it. So if this is your problem I suggest replacing the whole cable, I dont think it was that expensive
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHEL LEIGH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
Third door of cab will not open how do I take off panel if door wont open of 1999 ford f150 tritian v8
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
It's tight, but you need to get in there and remove the few screws around the panel and then the plastic clips between the door and panel.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARCUSCAVAZOS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • FORD F-150
I have a '98 Ford F-150 pick-up, and the third door doesn't want to open from inside or outside. I have tried to open it, it unlatches from the bottom, but not the top. The third door doesn't budge, and I have tried removing the paneling to see the problem. When I removed the paneling, I still couldn't see inside the door to see if it might be a broken latch inside. I utalize this third door for my family everyday, not being able to utalize the third door is becoming upsetting to us all. Please Help!
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GLENROBERTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey Allâ ,
I'm having the exact same problem. Started today when I tried to open it to let my daughter in the back. Did you ever fix it, or find out what the problem was?

Glen
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERBYBOYRR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
My car door opener won't on either door of my truck. I know that both cellinoids are both bad. How hard is it to replace?
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
The worst part is accessing the part. Because of the design of the door, a lot of the work is done by feel rather than seeing what you are doing.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOUTHERNBRED61
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 FORD F-150
  • 200,000 MILES
I have a 2001 ford f 150 both drivers side rear door and passenger side rear door is stuck. I am not able to open these either side to remove door panels, which I need to know how to remove door panels so I can see what I need to replace in order to fix these door so I will be able to open them. Dealer ship quated a price of 300.00 dollars per door for parts. I feel this is out of line for parts plus what they will charge to install parts. I am pretty handy at working on my on truck, if I can get the doors open I do not believe it would be a problem to repair my self. I would apreicate any information you could give me to help a do it your self person.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There should be some scres in door pulls and mayb at bottom of door, they can be taken off with door closed but a pain. Once they are off check for clips broken on door rods, that's the most common cause.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • 16,000 MILES
I have the third door on the passenger side. I have never had any trouble with it until about two weeks ago. I went to open it and it will not open. Apparently something inside is broken or stuck and I have done all I know to do to get it to open short of breaking something. What is most likely wrong and how do I repair it? Thanks.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
You are most likely correct, the linkage inside is either broken or disconnected. You need to remove the door panel to check the linkage.

Here is a guide that will help with removing the door panel.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Let us know if you need more info. Thanks
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIM HALLORAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
The truck has 4 doors, with the rear being the small doors. The door on the passenger side will not open. What has to be done to get it open? You pull on the handle that is built into the door jam but it does not release.
Thanks for your time
Jim
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Jim,

See my profile,

Around here things are mello, nobody in a big hurry,

When I have issues similar to yours and want to get by inexpensive. Or FREE!

I visit the local Ma and Pop Type AUTO SALVAGE YARDS. Small operation.

My face is now recognized at most of them, I have a very good repore at them.

The best way to sorta win them over, is to take a small cooler of soft drinks with you, offer them at JUST the RIGHT TIME!

Usually these guys will Know exactly how the Mechanisms work. And will have you in, in a Jiffy. If a part is needed, they may have it.

Prabably cost you a COKE or a MOUNTAIN DEW. Play it up right, My 24 year old Daughter is considered really attractive, Sometimes she will go too. Icing on the Cake!

Your Turn,

Respond with good news!

The Medic
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BEAR17
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD F-150
  • 99,000 MILES
My 3rd door on passenger side og my 1997 Ford F-150 is stuck closed. How can I get it opened?
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
You will have to pull the inner panel.
It is simply heald in with plastic clips that are re-usable. You cab purchase a tool to help remove it but a screwdriver or chisel will suffice.
Start by removing all the trim which is heald in by phillips head screws under plastic caps.
Pulling at the panel carefully you may be able to get to the rod that releases the door. Usually the rod comes out of a plastic socket that attaches it to the door handle. It is probably a good idea to replace this as it will come apart again.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ACEBALLOS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD F-150
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 125,000 MILES
The rear hinged rear door on the passenger side is stuck in the closed position and we are unable to open it. It won't budge. We can't take the door apart because it is stuck in the closed position.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,395 POSTS
It's rare that both inside and outside latches fail at the same time, but it does happen. The only way you will be able to open the door is by removing the inside panel. If you pull out the rear seat you should be able to pull the trim panel out enough to get a hand in and release the latch.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)

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