My door is stuck shut and idk how to get it to open?

Tiny
KYLEPARKS
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 PONTIAC G6
  • 17,200 MILES
Ok firstthe driver door wouldnt latch meaning I could close the door all the way but it wouldnt latch shut and I had to drive it home so I pulled the door shut and locked the door to see if it would hold it closed but now afer unlocking the door it wont open is there any way to get the door to open?
Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 1:58 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Yes, but it's tricky. You need a slim piece of metal with a hook. Insert it between the door frame and the window at the latch side. I don't remember if your latch moves up or down, so it'll be a little trial and error to open the door. A flashlight will help you see better. Once the door is open, remove the door panel and reconnect the actuator rods or replace the bushings.
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Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 2:08 AM
Tiny
TIMDEBJT3
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2009 PONTIAC G6
  • 23,000 MILES
The front drivers door on my 2009 G6 will not open. Both the inside and outside handles appear to work. I can hear a faint click at the latch when I pull either the inside or outside handle, but the latch does not open and the door remains closed. I took the inside door handle off the door. The cable is tight and appears as though it is attached at the far end.

From what I can see, I don't believe I can remove the door panels with the door closed. I don't believe I can remove the plastic connector that goes in the end and will be very difficult to pop the clips along the bottom of the door.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
Usually the door acuating rods wont pop out unless disturbed. Did u recently lock your keys in the car, so a tow truck driver was called? Usually they are in a rush. And are very rough while slim jimming a door. As far as getting inside panel off while door is inop? Its doable. But not without damage to the panel. Usually the seat will need to be removed, and it still makes it difficult. You described you have access to the cable. If you pull on it with pliers, does it move freely, or with some resistance? If there is resistance, chances are its still hooked up. Now determine if its the door handle, or door lock.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMDEBJT3
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
As far as I know there has been no tow truck or lock problem. I recently purchased the car, so I don't have a long history. It has worked flawlessly up to this point. I got in the car and when I went to get out, nothing happens.

The cable to the inside lock has resistance. I removed the torx screw and pulled the handle out and removed the connector. When the cable is pulled, by the handle it is tight. I tried to pull/pry on it to see if it wasn't quite long enough. It does not move. It appears to be attached at the far end. I hear what appears to motion and something hitting against a stop at the latch when I pull that cable or when I pull the handle on the outside. It is faint.

Thanks for your help.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
Does your driver door still have a key entry on the outside? You may try using the key to unlock the door while you fidget with the cables. Enough patience im sure you can get this open. However, once its open, its the start of an entirely new battle. Removing door panel, and diaging what failed, then replacing.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMDEBJT3
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It has a key. I tried unlocking while working the cable to the inside lock.

The cable moves with absolutely no resistance, then it stops. Any suggestions on how to remove the inside door panel when I can't open the door?

Thanks.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
You may need to remove the driver seat. Once its out, the door panel will be way easier to access. Seat should be held on with 4 fasteners. Pretty simple to remove. Make sure you unplug any electrical connectors before pulling it out.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMDEBJT3
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I got lucky. It got hot here today (low 90s). It worked and opened. I cleaned the latch up good and lubricated it. Hopefully it continues to work. Thanks for all your advice.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
Thats awesome! Such a rare occurance its something simple. Keep it lubricated, hopefully this problem never occurs again. Keep me updated if it happens again.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAPADOC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 PONTIAC G6
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 106,000 MILES
Trying to open the drivers side door from the inside, it does not open. It will open from the outside. Sorry, had that reversed.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It sounds like you have a cable or handle that is broken. You will need to remove the door panel here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job. Check out the control rod on the handle.

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

Below are some diagrams for what to do on your car.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEDO2002
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2009 PONTIAC G6
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
So I parked my car, went back 5 minutes later and pulled door handle nothing happens, (there is no resistance). So I opened passenger door pull on interior door handle same thing it moves with NO resistance at all and the door is now closed with no apparent way to get it to open and of course this makes panel removal virtually impossible.

SO I don't want to have to enter exit vehicle via the passenger door and of course it prevents locking the car as the only door with key entry is the drivers door.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
So, you are saying the power door locks don't work either?
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEDO2002
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The key only unlocks the drivers door, which us the one which won't open. But if I use the power door lock button on the drivers door it functions normally.

The power lock on the rear passenger door hasn't worked for sometime, (which in this case was a blessing otherwise I would have been locked out of the car completely).
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
I misunderstood when you said you opened the passenger door.

The only way it is going to be opened is by accessing the linkage through the window opening. You may need someone that knows what to look for on that one. Once the door is opened, you can remove the door panel to repair whatever came apart.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOLJIABOY22
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 PONTIAC G6
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 77,014 MILES
What do I do if I open my drivers door and the latch closes back? When I close the passanger door, and pull the latch it pops to open. My drivers door does not do that. Any suggestions?
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Sounds like you have a issue with your door latch your going to have to get in there and see whats going on. You could have a broken release spring in the latch or another problem with the latch.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CODYRUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 PONTIAC G6
My drivers side door latch (it is a coupe) that clicks to the striker bar is broken was curious if I could use a sedans door latch concidering they are both the drivers side. And what years maybe compatible with it
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes you can do that. They even may have those at auto parts stores under help things. Long as the thread is the same. I think all gm cars are the same.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 6:14 PM (Merged)

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