2000 Suzuki Esteem 1.8 wagon. I washed the car on a freezing day and tried to open the door from the outside. I pulled up the handle and heard & felt something break inside the door. The outside handle just flaps around now but the interior handle still works. The dealership says the plastic mechanism is broken and I'll need to buy a new one for $83 plus $90 labour. Ouch. My wish would be to do the work myself but I haven't even been able to get the interior door panel off. I've removed all visable screws and fasteners but 1) can't get the interior door handle off and
2) don't know how to remove the manual window handle. Any help?
Same problem. I have a 2000 Suzuki Esteem GL. A year ago the driver's door handle broke. Heard a sound and then it was loose. Could not open it from outside. Had to open front passenger door, open the driver's door from inside and then go out again to enter from the driver's door. FRUSTRATING. My mechanic had to take the door apart to fix it. Just a week ago, my front passenger door died on me. Can't open it from outside nor inside. The door won't open. This is such a stupid problem that costs lots to repair. Never will buy a Suzuki again. Had too many problems with it (had to fix gas tank, doors that won't open, front axle...).
There is a simpler, cheaper way to fix the broken door handle. Each door handle in the car has two sides to attach to the opening lever. All you have to do is take the whole door assembly off, pop out the center pin, (you can use a hammer and screwdriver) but be careful because it is plastic!! Then without mixing the parts up for the handles, you just swap the actual opening part as long as it has both or just the hole you need still attached. Thread the center pin back in, don't forget the spring, tap the pin back into place, and reattach the handle to the car. This process took me about 20 minutes once I figured out I could use another door handle. Just remember, you ARE NOT swapping the whole door handle assemblies!!! You are only swapping the handle that you pull. The assemblies are not interchangable.
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Same problem. Son went to open the door on a below freezing morning.
I have the same problem as well. First the driver door, then the front passenger, then the left rear passenger door. I have to turn my car into a jungle gym anytime I have to get in it and I am not a small man. And it wasn't even that cold when this stuff happened!
I've found OEM parts for less than getting them from the dealership but I also would love to know how to DIY this. The nearest dealership is 30 miles away.
It seems that this is a problem in all susuki esteems the doors are not well made... i have the same problem with my car 3 of the doors do not work and i leave the window open all the time in a garage... we should get together and send a letter to susuki so they can replace this for free. [email protected]
Our 1998 Suzuki Esteem wagon is down to two operating doors. Fortunately one of those is the driver's door. The only passenger door that works is the back right, and you have to push the handle in before you close the door, or it won't latch. I figure the car is too old and too inexpensive in the first place to get any help from the manufacturer at this point.
I have a 2000 Suzuki Esteem wagon. A couple of months ago the driver's side rear door handle broke, and I had to get my baby in and out from the right rear door only. Tonight the same thing happend to me while attempting to get into my car - snap, and the driver's door would not open from the outside anymore.
Did someone notify Suzuki already? Are they aware of the problem?
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