How Do You Fix A Car Door Lock That Doesn’t Open From The Outside?

In order to fix a car door lock that doesn’t open from the outside we need to understand first the reasons it can happen.

Why is my car door not opening from the outside?

The 2 most common problem for your car door not to be open from the outside is usually a broken door handle or a jammed lock cylinder as sometimes the connection between the door handle and the latch might be disconnected or broken.

Follow this detailed guide to fix a car door dock that doesn’t pen from the outside:

Diagnose the Problem

Carefully inspect the exterior door handle, the lock and the area around them for visible damage and try to operate the lock with the key and the handle to see if there is any response. Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate a broken or disconnected part inside.

Gather Necessary Tools

You will likely need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver, needle nose pliers, a can of lubricant like WD-40 and potentially replacement parts specific to your vehicle model such as a new door handle, lock cylinder or linkage rod.

Access the Door Panel

Locate and remove screws that holding the interior door panel in place as these are often hidden under caps in the door handle or along the bottom edge. 

Use a panel removal tool or a flathead screwdriver to carefully remove the panel starting at the bottom and working around the edges. 

Be careful with any wiring harnesses connected to the door such as those for power windows or locks.

Inspect the Mechanism

Observe the linkage connecting the exterior handle to the lock and latch and look for signs of disconnection, breakage or bending and make sure that the door lock actuator if present is functioning correctly.