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katty81
Novice
Jun 16, 2008, 5:33 AM
Post #1 of 16
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Door doesn't unlock
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Hi,
I'm new to this forum, i have a problem, can you pls try to help me?
My uncle bought a new truck & i got his Chevrolet Avalanche (2002), i really enjoy driving it.
But now, out of no where, the passenger side door doesn't unlock, my friends have to climb in from the driver side :-(
I don't know what to do.
Is there a way to fix it without going to the garage? if not how much should it cost me to fix it?
Thanks for your help,
Katty.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 16, 2008, 5:43 AM
Post #2 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Does this have a key to unlock from passenger's side? Try that if equipped - some vehicles rely only on the electric motor for locks and if manually inside doesn't work than I don't think the motor can work either but a key probably would from outside,
T
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katty81
Novice
Jun 16, 2008, 6:50 AM
Post #3 of 16
(4760 views)
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Hi Tom,
Thank you for the quick replay, i have a key, but it won't open the door, i also have a remote control, but that also doesn't work.
Thanks again,
Katty.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 16, 2008, 8:07 AM
Post #4 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Arggh! There's got to be a fault right at the latch inside the door. It's not so easy to get to it with the door closed as it requires removing the door panel. A body shop would be a good bet to get this door open and latch fixed with minimal damage to the door and panel. It's just impossible to guess without getting in there.
Good luck,
T
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katty81
Novice
Jun 17, 2008, 12:32 AM
Post #5 of 16
(4748 views)
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Hi Tom,
Googled this page, what do you think of solution number 6? could this be my problem?
Is the $1500 price tag correct?
http://www.fixya.com/...he_door_lock_problem
Thank you very much for your help,
Katty.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 17, 2008, 5:17 AM
Post #6 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Not! $1,500.00 bucks is insane! Gotta get the door open to see what's up. If the latch mechanism if frozen in position by a broken lock motor (actuator) for some reason should be able to be dealt with once you can get there. Defects shouldn't have waited 6 or more years to show.
A good all around mechanic would have that fixed with mostly labor. Used parts if need would be available I would think as the basic parts would be used in GM trucks of all sorts - things are usually right or left handed for parts.
The big problem up front is getting the door open as was stated in the link you posted. That's why I suggested a body shop as they have to deal with this nonsense with smashed up cars and "get-er-done"
Good grief - $1,500 bucks you could just get a whole door - probably the right color! I actually did that for a limo with a smashed (badly dented) door needed the next afternoon for a wedding and the place got a WHITE door Fed-Exed in for me to swap - part, delivery (the big chunk) and my labor was half that!
T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 17, 2008, 7:30 AM
Post #7 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Just to add a little. See if you can find someone with a "slim jim" that knows how to use it. (some Police Officers will do this for you) A lot of times you can unlock it with that and the door will open. You also need to be sure the door is locked and not just the handle linkages loose or broken.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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katty81
Novice
Jun 19, 2008, 5:15 AM
Post #8 of 16
(4720 views)
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Thanks for this advice.
Though i don't see myself approaching a police officer & asking him to brake into my car :-)
Thanks again,
Katty.
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katty81
Novice
Jun 26, 2008, 5:46 AM
Post #9 of 16
(4697 views)
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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No with a "slim jim" came around :-(
Any other ideas?
Thank you,
Katty.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 26, 2008, 12:25 PM
Post #10 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Just take it to an auto body repair shop and let them try as they should have all kinds of stuff to do this including the slim jim and more,
T
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katty81
Novice
Jul 2, 2008, 2:09 AM
Post #11 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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I guess i can understand why you guys give up in me... :-)
Thank you anyway,
katty :-)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 2, 2008, 6:42 AM
Post #12 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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No body is giving up Katty. If door isn't opened somehow there's little more we can suggest. The problem really can't be seen with X-rays and will be apparent when inside the door which is the problem right now. Slim Jim, or consult a body shop, some regular shops too....... if nothing is working so far to get it open. The damage possible to get this open is worth some help from those with the tools and direct experience to minimize that,
T
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flgmtech1
User
Jul 4, 2008, 12:14 PM
Post #13 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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you can take the door trim off yourself, but it requires patience and an understanding that you can damage the interior door trim panel, this is the only way to get thius off if the door latch or lock is frozen to where it can not be moved externally.
Here is a step by step illustrated disassembly of your door trim panel
Insert a flat-bladed tool between the door handle bezel and the trim panel in order to release the handle bezel tab retainers.
 Behind this door handle bezel should be a screw a phiilips screw, remove this screw.
- Insert a flat-bladed tool into the slots on the power accessory switch panel in order to release the retainer clips.
- Remove the switch panel.
- now take off any visible screws behind this or under this panel. The screws may be phillps or may be torx
- Release the upper extension by pulling outward on the front edge in order to release the upper retainer clips.
- Remove the upper extension from the trim panel by lifting up and out.
- Remove the manual lock lever from the trim panel using a flat bladed tool.
- Remove the trim panel screws.
 Remove the courtesy lamp, if equipped. Refer to Door Courtesy Lamp and Reflector Replacement . Remove the trim panel from the door. Carefully slide the trim panel up in order to release the retainers from the door. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
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flgmtech1
User
Jul 4, 2008, 12:23 PM
Post #14 of 16
(4663 views)
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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If you notice the one screw at the bottom right, this may not be able to be accessed as it will be behind the sill plate that spans the door opening at the base of the door. There is a chance you may have to use force when all of the other steps have been followed and you can still not access the right bottom screw. Once you have removed the panel, you can now remove the water deflector seal 
- Using a flat-bladed tool, separate the bond between the sealer and the door.
- Pull the waterproof sealing tape from the deflector.
- Remove the water deflector.
- Disconnect the inside door lock rod from the handle retainer clip.
- Disconnect the manual door lock rod from the door retainer clips.
- Remove the rubber plug (1) in order to disengage the outside handle rod retainer.
- with the seal removed you can reach into the opening of the door itself BE CAREFUL!! IT IS VERY SHARP
- the rod coming from the inside door handle can be followed by your hands to the door LOCK pictured directly above these words. This is where the actuator is frozen. You should be able to use a screwdriver and using care, pry the lock to unlock. Use a flashlight and or a drop light. and go slow, and be careful.
- this will allow you to open the door, and you can now install the new door lock assembly with actuator if you desire. The lock as pictured above is held on with 3 torx female bolts. and the part should be available at your local dealer
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 4, 2008, 3:06 PM
Post #15 of 16
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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WoW!! That's quite the detailed show on how to get in there for this exact vehicle! Great post!
Tom
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flgmtech1
User
Jul 4, 2008, 3:59 PM
Post #16 of 16
(4494 views)
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Re: Door doesn't unlock
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Thank you for your reply to my post. I am a Gm Certified Buick,Pontiac,GMC,Oldsmobile and Cadillac Technician of 28 years. I just found this site today, and look forward to helping any one with anything that I can, as that is the reason I started working in this field and why I am still there today.
It is all about helping people.
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