Removing door panel when door cannot open, any ideas to get the door panel off with the car door shut, or a way to pop the child lock.

KTAYLOR09C

MEMBER
2000 ACURA TL
140,000 MILES

Hey, my vehicle listed above the back driver door is really messed up. The outside handle won’t work (broken latch most likely), and the inside handle won’t work (child lock is on), and my window mechanism broke so the window is stuck down. Getting the door panel off with the door being stuck shut is near impossible, so I’m wondering if there’s any ideas to get the door panel off with the car door shut, or a way to pop the child lock without removing the door panel to make it easier.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

Hi,

That is a tough one. However, what I recommend is this. If you remove the rear seats, you will have more access to the panel.

If you look at pic 1, it shows where the retainers are located. Remove the seat portion first. It has two clips at the front. Lift upward and then pull it straight forward. Once that is out, then you can access the bolts holding the back section in place.

That is the best you can do. Also, the remaining pictures are the directions for removing the panel.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions,

Take care,

joe

See pics below.

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Sunday, December 17th, 2023 AT 7:53 PM

KTAYLOR09C

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hey Joe, thanks for the info! Taking that panel off was such a mess, however I was able to get the back side of the panel off with the door closed. What I did was pry the top part of the panel from the window section to get the top clips off (getting the panel over the lock indicator that goes up and down is the hardest part of that process, I ended up snapping it but that’s easily replaceable) then kept pulling down and right to get enough space to look at the inside of the door near the handle, and was able to get the door open and remove the rest of the panel. I haven’t found any information on doing this, so I might as well leave my process in the comments for others. :)

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Sunday, December 17th, 2023 AT 8:04 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

Hi,

Thanks for the update. And yep, your process will likely help others. They are a nightmare to work on when you can't open the door. I usually do what I suggest because customers don't like anything damaged. LOL

Regardless, thank you for the update, and feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Take care and have a great Christmas.

Joe

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Sunday, December 17th, 2023 AT 8:37 PM