The Dodge Challenger Message Board

MY passenger side door will not open!! Don't have a clue as to why. It feels like the handles are not attached to anything. question is how can I get the door open to work on it? Is there 2 seperate rods one from each handle to open the door. niether handle will do anything. I would think that if the outside handle would not work that maybe the inside handle would work.

If the window goes up and down, you could use it like "Dukes of Hazzard."

Seriously though, I vaguely remember the same thing happening something like almost 30 years ago with our '65 Dodge Coronet. I seem to think we pulled the panel off the door exposing the locking mechanism, and it needed lubrication. I remember when all was said and done it was easy aside from pulling the inside cover off the door which is easier said than done.

I was thinking I could pull the panel off but was wondering/thinking I would have to pull the seat out first not sure?

The contortions if you don't are amazing, but it can work. I needed a deep socket to get the seat out (which I obviously have). There are only 4 bolts for the seat, so it could be a lot easier to work on. We had a bench seat, so we didn't bother. But the door was also smaller because it was a sedan! As I recall there was a little piston thing in there that needed the graphite.

Does anybody else have a better idea?

It is not going to be easy taking the door panel off but I don't see as you have a choice?

If the rods from both handles have somehow disconnected (and I don't see how that could just happen all by itself) I don't think that even a "Slim Jim" would work. Although if you know any car thieves (I hope not!) or roadside assist people you could borrow one from I would try that first.

But if this just happened all by itself I suspect that the rods are still attached but the lock itself is broken somehow. In that case you are back to trying to get the door panel off.

I would take out the front seat for sure. Getting it out of the other side of the car might be hard work without removing the other seat too and maybe the center consol if you have one.

If you are going that far and the panel is not coming off easily you might want to try removing the back seat and the rear panel. That should (if i remember right) give you access to the back of the striker. I can't quite remember how it attaches but I have a feeling there is a nut on the back? If so you can try unfastening that and seeing if you can force the door open?

Probably a long shot that one though.

Dave has the right idea. That door must be open before you can remove that door trim panel, as there are screws to be removed up the front and back that weren't there on my '65 Coronet.

Taking out the seat is a moot point if you've got the door open.

I don't know of any car theives, but a local police department could have one of those openers, especially if you drive the car to the police station.

I love the quote from the Service Manual: "The service procedures for internal door components do not include obvious operations, such as removing door or quarter panel trim...." But of course it does include a section on INSTALLATION of the door trim panel! So do this in reverse order:

1. Position and hook door trim panel to inner panel, allign bottom of trim panel to fastener holes, tap in place.
2. Secure each end with screws.
3. Secure at arm rest with screws. For cars equiped with electric window lift, thread wire thru cut out in trim panel before positioning to inner panel.

I hope this helps. I also hope you can get the door open without having to go through the back and remove the striker bolt from the back!

(Message edited by redchallenger on August 30, 2003)

This situation is not cool! Removing the rear seat and trying to get to the striker plate probably won't work, because it is a plate that slides in a guide and you'll never get this plate to spin off the striker. I would try the slim jim method first. Also is the lock mech. by the arm rest in the unlock position? I've had problems in the past, that the lock doesn't allow the door handle (from the inside) to disenguage the lock. The only other solution I have is......cringe, cringe...destroy the door panel (do't go there)

That gave me an idea Tony. Remove the two screws under the arm rest and take off the window winder.

Then loosen the lever for locking the door from the inside and see if the panel will pull out far enough in the middle to get that lever off.

Then get a pair of grips on the pivot and see if you can get that lock to turn a bit more.

Good idea Dave, I was going to say the same thing. I have a parts car that neither handle will open the door. I open it by pulling forward on the unlatch cable near the rear of the door. If the panel can be loosened enough that might be an option.