Door Handle

Tiny
GRATCH
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
The drivers side door handle lifts but doesn't open the door however the inside handle works fine. Is there a simple fix without the need to replace the entire handle assembly? I am asking before I attempt to take the inside panel off to have a look.
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 AT 1:38 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
You need to remove the panel regardless. Chances are the linkage came off or the handle itself snapped where it attaches to the linkage.

Remove the panel and let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
GRATCH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the encouragement Jacob! I took the panel off and found that there was not much room to play withl. Everything was in-tact. I was able to fix the problem by straightening the bent rod that goes down from the outer handle to the latch mechanizm. I think what happened was that the door froze during the winter and I pulled so hard on the outside handle that the rod only bent rather than breaking any linkage. With the rod bent, it was unable to push the latch down enough to release the clip. Now that it is straight again, it is both strong enough and long enough to release the latch. It worked for me and I hope others find this useful especially those of us in the great white north.

Cheers
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Sunday, March 14th, 2010 AT 11:25 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I'm glad you found the problem. You got lucky that it didn't break something, and you're right, chances are it froze.

Take care and let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe
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Sunday, March 14th, 2010 AT 11:49 PM
Tiny
MJELING66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
How do I replace the outer door handle on a 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S? I have a new one but have no idea how to replace it. It is a long handle the goes towards the top of the door.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have to take the door panel off the inside of the door and remove the nuts/bolts holding it in from the inside. Reverse the process to install the new one. There may be a plastic licp that goes to a rod to open the doorthat will haveto bedisconnected/reconnected.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LBRYAN4
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
I need information on a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S Coupe driver side handle removal and reinstallation.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I am attaching the process for the door panel. Unfortunately the manual doesn't have a complete process for the handle. However, the picture attached of the inside of the handle shows where the two nuts are that need to be removed. All you have to do is remove the panel and then remove those two nuts from the inside of the door and the handle will come out from the outside of the vehicle. Then to replace it, just put the new one in place and connect the release rod then put the nuts back on.

Check the diagrams below. Let us know if you have other questions. Thanks
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:18 PM (Merged)

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