My drivers side rear door on my XJ decided it doesn't want to open any more. I can hear the lock actuating but it doesn't unlock the door nor does the lock inside. Neither handle will open it either. Anybody have any tips on how to get it open?

 

Someone else may have a magical solution but my guess is that you are going to have to remove the inner door panel to get at the lock mechanism.

 

I figured as much but was hoping somebody had a tip or trick for it.

 

Never hurts to ask....

 

My drivers mechanism failed such that nothing would work. Using the left side to gauge where, I actually plunge-cut with a saws-all and cut the pin from the door post.

A little piece of Gorilla tape, and she's good as new!

 

If its just the lock that has stuck with it in the (Locked position) and the handle not broken use a Slim Jim to open it I had to do that on my rear pass side.

 

If you decide to take the door panel off, it may be easy enough to just take the back seat out to give extra room. It uses a torx 55 bit on the 97+ not sure about older but your signature has a 98 in it.

What I find also works, hit the door a few times.

 

Yeah that's what I plan to do is take the panel off. Good call on the rear seat. I'll see if I can get it by smacking the door by the lock a few times before I dive into it.

 

I thought slim jims only work on vehicles with vertical locks

 

Slim Jim makes tools to work with those also along with several other companies other than the "Original Slim Jim".

Some of these kits are not sold to the general public I forgot that, we used to do lockout calls also.

 

Just remove the lower rear seat cushion. And then the door panel. Very easy to do.

 

Mine does the same thing. Just apply pressure on the lock on the inside of the door and bang on the outside of the door right below the body line mid door. The rod gets hung up on something. But again could just be my situation.

 

Yeah I've tried all the little tricks to get it open, looks like this weekend I'm tearing the door panel off.