My passenger door no longer unlocks. I wanted to take the door panel off to investigate the problem but it isn't budging. I have all the bolts out but the panel will not unsnap from the door. Starting to wonder if it is even possible to take it off with the door closed? If not is there another way to get my door open or fix the problem?

 

Have you tried a SlimJim?

I believe you may have to cut the door liner off bc the plastic pegs at bottom have to release 1st.
They are below the threshold.

Post up when you solve it,gl

 

To remove the door skin you have to pop loose all the clips (runs the perimeter of the panel and some in the middle), tilt the panel outwards slightly from the bottom then pull the panel up vertically which will free it from the door. Once all the bolts and clips are loose it is basically hanging from the window lip. Likely impossible with the door closed, but hey Ive never tried.

Unfortunately if both your inner and outer handles arent working, and trying to manually pull on the cable that attaches to the inner handle doesnt work, you are stuck either trying to use a slim-jim on the door mechanism or taking it to a pro locksmith.

You probably need a new handle assembly, pretty common for it to fail, but when mine went (Ive had both sides go on me) only the outside handle didnt work, the inner latches still opened the door.

 

I just recently replaced the outside door handle. It's the lock mechanism that is jamming. I can hear it trying but not moving all the way. If I try to unlock it by pushing the lock on the inside it stops halfway. So it's not possible to take the panel off if the door is closed? No I don't have a slim jim.

 

Go buy a $10 SlimJim and learn how to use it. Better than a $100 door liner.

If you've got AAA lock it up. Call them for free lockout service, tell them to open pass side...

 

Yes I just looked at the driver side door (not sure why I didn't think of that before) and the panel does extend beyond the threshold so it is, in fact, impossible to take the panel off if the door is closed. I don't have AAA but I do have USAA so I will be using their lockout services to get the door open. Brilliant suggestion. Thanks for the help.

 

Thinking outside the bun.
gl!