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Question

Suddenly the drivers door on my 96 Miata MX-5 will not open. The latch moves, but nothing happens! The passenger side clunks just like always and opens. Is the mechanism broken or what?

Submitted: 68 days and 21 hours ago.
Category: Car
Value: $23
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Year: 1996
Make: Mazda
Make (other): Miata
Model: MX-5

Already Tried:
Just started. Although a couple of times i would have to re-lock and then unlock again with the clicker.

Posted by Tracer 68 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello, so you are not hearing any noise from the actuator inside the door that unlocks it like you do on the other side? You can not manually open the door correct?

68 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

That's the strange thing I think I am hearing a noise, but it could be the passenger side making the noise. I climbed in over the door and tried to manually push it open and no...my shoulder hurts now. It did not open.
The lock on the inside does slide to the unlocked postion, but the door will not budge. I am going out to the garage now and will listen and observe very carefully. Back in a few minutes.

Posted by Tracer 68 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

lmk thanks

68 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

Tracer - it sounds like it is unlocking. But when I attempt to pull the outside or inside handle...nothing happens. Door is acting as if, well it is not unlocked. There is still tension on both handles so I suppose the cable or whatever are still in place. I think I need someone to tear the door apart...right?

Posted by Tracer 68 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

let me get that info and send. back shortly

Posted by Tracer 68 days and 21 hours ago.

Answer

<p>yes, there are rods and clips that attatch the rods to the latch . Most common is a clip breaks or falls of. Thus the problem you have. You could have a bad latch as well. In either case, you would have to pull the inner door panel with door closed to access the inside to see what happend. The diagram is below. The door pane can be removed while door is closed but obviously more difficult. This is the approach we would use in the shop. I am thinking it is more a latch problem than a clip as both handle are inop.. If at one time you get lucky and door opens till at a shop. leave unlocked as the labor rate will drop if they can work with open door. the book time to remove door panel and replace latch is about 1.5 hours and the lacth is around $35</p>

68 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

Tracer - I thought as much. In retrospect both handles seem a bit slack...although they are acting like they are not unlocked. I do appreciate the information, but I don't see the attachment? Thanks again.

Accepted Answer

I am now leaning even more to bad latch or one taht is stuck rather then just a clip off. it is possible if the door panel off, then you can spray the latch from inside door with say WD 40 and free it up. Latch failures are not common on this vehicle.

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Edited by Tracer on 9/14/2009 at 11:42 PM

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Expert: Tracer
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 9/14/2009

ASE Certified Technician

32 years Foreign / Domestic Cars All aspects of Diag and Repair

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