I took my door panel off today to see if by chance my actuator was just unplugged or not connected to the door latch. Everything was hooked up so I put the panel back on. (i never disconnected anything) Now my door is stuck closed. I seemed to have wedged the cables behind the panel somehow. Using some flatheads to pry the panel back, I have gotten it to the point where I can make the lock "unlock and lock" with the key but the door wont open. The lock is in the unlocked position but when I pull the handle, nothing happens. Any advice on how to get it open?

 

Does it not open from inside AND outside? Or just one or the other?

I think you disconnected the cable that connects the handle(s) to the actual latch and didn't attach it back correctly before installing the panel.

 

It wont open from the inside or outside handle. I can see down into the panel enough to see the actuator wires attached to the handle and lock. Im assuming one of the wires is jammed due to what happens when I use key. When I lock the door, everything works perfect. When I unlock the door using the key, it only unlocks part way. I dont get that "click" that lets me know "my" door is open. It will however open all the other doors. Ill just keep playin with it and hopefully ill get lucky.

 

Got it open. With the door panel pryed back, I unhooked the actuator cables attached to the lock and the handle. I fished them out vertically with a hanger and with them out of the door pulled them manually to open the door. Interesting find: the cable attached to the inner door handle is utilized for the outer door handle as well. If that cable is wedged somehow, niether handle will function properly.

 

I like happy endings.

 

Me too...

 

wheres the happy ending special at???

 

you have to have your health clinic results, two forms of ID, and cash.

 

@Chans - Thanks for posting this, I was able to open my Acura RL door thanks to the information you posted. The dependency of the outside handle on the inside handle was key for me. Now though I have to find the little retaining clips for the cables...