Well, I knew I did not have a Power Lock problem, but did have a Driver Door Latch that wasn't working right on 1999 Merc Mountaineer . Used your video to help figure out to install the new one. By the way the old latch when I pulled it out, a small broken spring fell out of it. So the spring does matter. lol. it is kind of a tough job with the lack of light and cramped conditions and all the linkages that are attached, and my bad knees. Thanks for posting your vids.
Thank you Sam for this video, you showed and explained in terms I could understand, wasn't ridiculously long, and the same door I was needing!!!.. I was referring to your video as I replaced my new latch on my back driver side door. Thank goodness!!! All other ones were showing the drivers door...... My gosh the actuator is bigger than I thought!!! Had fun with it and the door knob attaching to the new latch...but after a few hours, I got it done! Thank you so much!!!
This was like de'ja Vue!! I did the exact same investigation last night. I had door open and panel off and had to watch the internals for like 15 min and I found "the spring". Difficulty is having nothing to compare the broken assembly to and so hard to get at. Attachment points do not reveal themselves easily. That metal bar or tab if pulled fwd from the opening will allow the handle to function. Wild stuff. Every repair is an investigation, isn't it!! You were like repeating the words and things that happened to me. Notice spring gone both sides. etc.
nice video really good explanation of how the lock actually works with your explanation and another you tubers video on attaching a spring to the bottom of the rod coming from the outside door handle and the other end of spring going to the lock cylinder or the door handle opening I was actually able to get the lock to work Thank you
The spring mechanism is some sort of anti-theft mechanism. This $.20 spring is the cause of so much woe... So it is by design. Naturally, Ford considers this a "Feature"... If only they would have used a better spring. Couldn't somebody take one look at that and say, yeah that's going to fail about 100% of the time after a few thousand unlocks... Groan... The spring needs to lift the mechanism so the lock can work and a slim jim won't work... Frankly, steal the dang thing, I just need to get my groceries out man... He starts talking about it at about 13:15. Thanks for the video... The back is slightly different in the set up as the front and all the videos I have found are the front, so thanks for this.
Thankyou Sam for an informative video, for both removing and disconnecting the door locking mechanism and I found it reassuring to refer to your video during reinstallation. I had to make 2 SST's (Special Service Tools), both made of wood strips... one to hold the door handle open while I installed the 2 bolts to reattach the new door handle, the second SST was a long flat tapered wedge to assist reinserting the actuator into its bracket. How can I share the photos with you, and any other viewers of your videos? It was a sense of achievement to finally get my door working again. Your video made it easier. Thanks again. Caren Barnet, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
I've been researching and watching a lot of YT videos and I think your video has convinced me that the problem is with the latch on my '02 Explorer. On Friday the rear passenger side door wouldn't open from the outside. The only way to get it open is from the inside, but I have to hold the unlock switch in place while pulling the handle. Otherwise pulling the inside or outside handle automatically switches the lock into a locked position. The key fob and pressing unlock from the front switches seems to work. Would you agree that I need a new latch and not an actuator? Definitely don't want to spend money on an actuator if that's not the cause of the problem.
Thanks! I was debating whether or not to get a used one from a junkyard or on ebay, but I don't want to run into the same thing as you did where the junkyard one doesn't work all the time. Probably will just purchase a new one.
Is there any difference between the latch assembly for the front passenger vs the rear passenger? Doing some searches on the internet and I can't tell.
It's most likely the spring inside the latch. Once it breaks the latch is toast. Check the Actuator as well cthats another problem. I've done all 4 more than once that now I can remove a latch in 10minutes. Give or take a few. Meaning if your kids are bothering you or your wife is nagging on your ass for not taking out the garbage. Be patient and take your time.
you can get the inner door panel off without opening the door it is a pain but can be done then reach in and figure out what rod goes to the lock and try to manually pull it if you can't get it that way you may have to cut the door panel to get to the actuator don't try to pry it you will just cause more damage hope all goes well
sorry if you can't get the latch to pop manually then you have to try breaking the latch try to break open the back part and manually try to get the latch to open you may have to get a locksmith that might have a idea but i luckily didn't have that problem so ime not exactly sure how to open it otherwise sorry again if this doesn't help
I couldn't open my door either. The lock button wouldn't pop up. It turned out to be that the outside door handle rod had to be pushed up slightly to be able to unlock, and then I could open it. Some use a spring attached to the clip at the bottom of that rod and to something up above to keep upward tension on it.
Well, I knew I did not have a Power Lock problem, but did have a Driver Door Latch that wasn't working right on 1999 Merc Mountaineer . Used your video to help figure out to install the new one. By the way the old latch when I pulled it out, a small broken spring fell out of it. So the spring does matter. lol. it is kind of a tough job with the lack of light and cramped conditions and all the linkages that are attached, and my bad knees. Thanks for posting your vids.
Thank you Sam for this video, you showed and explained in terms I could understand, wasn't ridiculously long, and the same door I was needing!!!.. I was referring to your video as I replaced my new latch on my back driver side door. Thank goodness!!! All other ones were showing the drivers door...... My gosh the actuator is bigger than I thought!!! Had fun with it and the door knob attaching to the new latch...but after a few hours, I got it done! Thank you so much!!!
glad i could help thank you
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.door latch removal in a 1995 ford explorer
This was like de'ja Vue!! I did the exact same investigation last night. I had door open and panel off and had to watch the internals for like 15 min and I found "the spring". Difficulty is having nothing to compare the broken assembly to and so hard to get at. Attachment points do not reveal themselves easily. That metal bar or tab if pulled fwd from the opening will allow the handle to function. Wild stuff. Every repair is an investigation, isn't it!! You were like repeating the words and things that happened to me. Notice spring gone both sides. etc.
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thanks for the video, really help me a lot and I didn't find it ridiculous long, just perfect.
+Rottie For Life thanks glad i could help
nice video really good explanation of how the lock actually works
with your explanation and another you tubers video on attaching a spring to the bottom of the rod coming from the outside
door handle and the other end of spring going to the lock cylinder or the door handle opening
I was actually able to get the lock to work Thank you
glad i could help thanks
The spring mechanism is some sort of anti-theft mechanism. This $.20 spring is the cause of so much woe... So it is by design. Naturally, Ford considers this a "Feature"... If only they would have used a better spring. Couldn't somebody take one look at that and say, yeah that's going to fail about 100% of the time after a few thousand unlocks... Groan... The spring needs to lift the mechanism so the lock can work and a slim jim won't work... Frankly, steal the dang thing, I just need to get my groceries out man... He starts talking about it at about 13:15.
Thanks for the video... The back is slightly different in the set up as the front and all the videos I have found are the front, so thanks for this.
Planned obsolescence..
Thankyou Sam for an informative video, for both removing and disconnecting the door locking mechanism and I found it reassuring to refer to your video during reinstallation. I had to make 2 SST's (Special Service Tools), both made of wood strips... one to hold the door handle open while I installed the 2 bolts to reattach the new door handle, the second SST was a long flat tapered wedge to assist reinserting the actuator into its bracket. How can I share the photos with you, and any other viewers of your videos? It was a sense of achievement to finally get my door working again. Your video made it easier. Thanks again. Caren Barnet, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
you should make a youtube vid. i don't do social media you could try pinterest .
I think you solved this problem All my actuators work fine. Its the spring you are talking about. Its a manufacture flaw with these latches.
I've been researching and watching a lot of YT videos and I think your video has convinced me that the problem is with the latch on my '02 Explorer. On Friday the rear passenger side door wouldn't open from the outside. The only way to get it open is from the inside, but I have to hold the unlock switch in place while pulling the handle. Otherwise pulling the inside or outside handle automatically switches the lock into a locked position. The key fob and pressing unlock from the front switches seems to work. Would you agree that I need a new latch and not an actuator? Definitely don't want to spend money on an actuator if that's not the cause of the problem.
i would say it's probably the latch they have a spring that breaks
Thanks! I was debating whether or not to get a used one from a junkyard or on ebay, but I don't want to run into the same thing as you did where the junkyard one doesn't work all the time. Probably will just purchase a new one.
Is there any difference between the latch assembly for the front passenger vs the rear passenger? Doing some searches on the internet and I can't tell.
it's been a long time so i can't remember but i think there is a difference
@@JunkworksGarage yeah it looks like there is a difference. Finding a new OEM one is challenging.
Did you ever install the new latches ?because I'm having the same issue with all my doors
i did, unfortunately i lost some of the footage, but i have a couple vids in my explorer playlist that explain more about the latches on my channel .
Do you have apart number for the rear door latch my 1996 is doing that . Also did u get them at rock auto or Amazon. I need to replace mine
it's a doorman part i got of amazon i'm not sure of the part # sorry
Everybody takes the springs from the wrecking yard... It is that damn spring. If you order a new latch, I don't think it will fix it.
It's most likely the spring inside the latch. Once it breaks the latch is toast. Check the Actuator as well cthats another problem. I've done all 4 more than once that now I can remove a latch in 10minutes. Give or take a few. Meaning if your kids are bothering you or your wife is nagging on your ass for not taking out the garbage. Be patient and take your time.
I wish you showed the pin so I can get my door open
check out my explorer playlist i have a door latch common problem vid that shows a more in-depth look at the latch
My door is locked shut tho how do i get it open
you can get the inner door panel off without opening the door it is a pain but can be done then reach in and figure out what rod goes to the lock and try to manually pull it if you can't get it that way you may have to cut the door panel to get to the actuator don't try to pry it you will just cause more damage hope all goes well
Junk works DIY Garage ive got the panel off just not sure what to do now to get it open
sorry if you can't get the latch to pop manually then you have to try breaking the latch try to break open the back part and manually try to get the latch to open you may have to get a locksmith that might have a idea but i luckily didn't have that problem so ime not exactly sure how to open it otherwise sorry again if this doesn't help
I couldn't open my door either. The lock button wouldn't pop up. It turned out to be that the outside door handle rod had to be pushed up slightly to be able to unlock, and then I could open it. Some use a spring attached to the clip at the bottom of that rod and to something up above to keep upward tension on it.
where's the video to get the screws out?
i had problems with that and lost some of the vid i will try to put something up in the future thank for watching