Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 94 Door lock actuator loose - unable to open door

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Sat 5 Sep 2009 11:43
94 Door lock actuator loose - unable to open door - Stoo
The drivers side door on my Ford Escort is utterly jammed. Have the inner door trim removed, so can access some, and have managed to bend the plastic lock cover back to feel the workings of the assembly.

The door latch actuator in the door panel is fine, and the door opens a fraction. It appears from feeling the lock actuator (not latch) that it is loose and appears to be jammed in the locked position. I cannot remove the latch/lock assembly as the door cannot be opened to give access to the edge where the screws are to allow removal of the assembly.

Any ideas how I can get this wretched door open?

Even if it requires a crowbar, any tips on how to get it open so I can fully remove the lock/latch assembly and investigate the problem further would be greatly appreciated.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 05/09/2009 at 14:55

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Sat 5 Sep 2009 12:34
94 1.6 Ford Escort Door lock actuator loose - Jamm - Wurzel83
When this happened to my Escort I was able to free it up by sparying some WD40 on the mechanism and then continuosly pushing and pulling the inner door handle.
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Sat 5 Sep 2009 13:35
94 1.6 Ford Escort Door lock actuator loose - Jamm - Stoo
I will attempt again, armed with some WD40 and give this a go now...

I'll be back shortly to post results.

Thanks.
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Sat 5 Sep 2009 15:19
94 1.6 Ford Escort Door lock actuator loose - Jamm - Stoo
Applied WD40 to latch/lock assembly from outside door (via barrel lock hole) and inside to no avail.

Have even tried a crowbar to try and prise the door open but no luck whatsoever.

You can see the details of my issue in the PDF I've put online (with diagrams).

The main issue being I cannot access the internal workings of the lock assembly to activate the lock release as the actuator appears to be broken and not activating, or de-activating. It's loose.

Please see file uploaded here:

www.wikiupload.com/download_page.php?id=163635
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Sat 5 Sep 2009 18:16
94 1.6 Ford Escort Door lock actuator loose - Jamm - McP
Can you get the inner door panel off?
You might need to remove the driver's seat to do this.

Even if you have to ruin the inner door panel, it seems a better option than possibly damaging the outside.

The last Escort I had was a 1983 model, so can't offer any other advice.

Edit: You already have the inner panel off!!! Ignore useless advice above!

Edited by Primera 97 on 05/09/2009 at 18:18

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Sat 5 Sep 2009 20:18
94 1.6 Ford Escort Door lock actuator loose - Jamm - Wurzel83
Try pulling both inner and outer handles at the same time.
You lubed the cable under the door panel?
Tried operating the lock from the passenger side (assuming its central locking)?
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Sun 6 Sep 2009 12:46
94 1.6 Ford Escort Door lock actuator loose - Jamm - Stoo
Unfortunately still no joy after lubing (with WD40) the cable also.

I think I'm now going to need to get a new door from a scrappy, IF i can get this door off without damaging the frame!

Any ideas on emergency removal?

Thanks for all your help.
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