I am trying to replace the exterior drivers door handle. My car is sitting outside with the door panel hanging off and the exterior door handle somewhat unattached. everything has gone fine except for the actual removal of the old handle. There are two thin,metal poles (kinf of like coat-hangers) that attach themselves into the door andle. they attach to the handle via little plastic plugs. the plastic plugs are wedged shape so when you push them in the hole they expand so it stays. well the problem is that i cant get them off. I removed one, the reddish one, by destroying it(luckily i have another one). Byt i still cant get they yellow one off. It is the one that attached to the key hole. The plactic pieces have a groove cut in them so they stay in place....i just cant seem to get this groove out. I cant destroy the yellow piece because i have no back up. Someone please help. too make things worse, i think it is about to rain!Thanks in advance. -Jeff

 

i'm trying the screwdriver thing. it helps get the top portion of the plug out...but the bottom wont come out and looks like its being strectched.

 

The plactic piece seems pretty warped and out of shape. I seriously doubt its coming out. I may just break it and use my extra red piece in its place. Hopefully it will fit.

 

thanks alot!!! i just got it off finally!!!! The cap is pretty messed up (but not destroyed thankfully). thanks alot guys for all your help and patience! -Jeff

 

last problem....now i got to put those plastic caps back into the new door handle!! they dont fit cause they are a little bent from my last experience with them. anyone know if i can maybe buy new plastic caps? any suggestions greatly appreciated!! -Jeff

 

Relaced the door handle and translucent flap!

While I was replacing the broken outer door handle, I fixed the key flap. Rob Robinette's page describes only part of the procedure. First off, you need to remove the door handle: After unscrewing the two bolts, unclip (1)the lock cylinder wire retainer, (2)the small light bulb, (3)the white electrical wired clip, and (4)the small orange rubber clip to free the lock rod. Then slip the lock cylinder out from the back.

Bring your lock cylinder to a clean place, and remove the metal polished cover from the front of the cylinder by sticking a very small screwdriver under the rim where the tiny fasteners are located. Then remove the black metal keyhole slit. Behind that is a small spring and the broken flap. (My broken flap was gone- disintegrated!) Find a piece of translucent hard plastic and shape it(w/ jigsaw/razor blade/ sand paper) to a rectangle with two small nipples on each for hinging/pivoting purposes that fit into the small hinged indents inside the lock. After the plastic is shaped, place the short end of the spring in the tiny hole and place the shapped plastic on top. Hold the black metal keyhole slit over the flap tightly and test the flap with the key. Reshape plastic if necessary.

To replace the whole door handle, one addittional orange clip needs to be removed to free the latch rod and the door panel must be removed to unplug the 2- foot electrical plug which is hard-wired to the handle.

Just reverse order to replace. Now the lock-light finally works properly again!!

I hope this helps.

 

yup i was working on ym dor handles all day w/ my friend! it's a pain in the ***!! the drivers seat turned out fine! but the passengers seat's all wack! how is the passengers seat different?