Hello!

The driver's door on my 1998 Subaru Forester is stuck and won't open. I have removed the door panel and it appears that the lock mechanism does not engage when I turn the key. It seems to engage when I pull the rod manually but it still doesn't open.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to fix the problem (please keep in mind that I cannot remove the panel completely since the door is closed)?

Thank you very much,

Elisa

Basically the latch is still locked. The lock mechanism inside the latch is broken or jammed and even though you can move the lock lever (on the latch) it isn't allowing the release lever to engage.

 

Only two things you can really do:

1. Access and/or Remove the latch mechanism on the passenger door and play with it to see where and how the release lever works and figure out where and how to push/pull on the latch to get it to release.

 

B: Start cutting with a dremel and destroy the latch so you can force it open.

 

Either way, once the door is open the latch mechanism will need to be replaced.