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Thieves damaged the door lock and latch trying to get into the car. I removed the inside panel and was able to reconnect the linkage rod to the lock and that seems to work all right now. However, I couldn't see up into the cavity of the door to see how to reattach the linkage rod to the the door latch handle. How does this linkage rod attach. I did see some bolt heads that hold the latch to the door, but my English wrenches 3/8 and 1/2 didn't fit must be metric. What size are those bolts?
The bolts you see are 10 mm. the linkage uses a plastic clip to retain the rod linkage on the door handle. You will most likely need to replace the retainers on the handle to linkage if they have not broken the cast aluminium tab off.
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Try getting in from the other side and then opening the trouble door. This sometimes happens when the door wasn't closed properly, or the lock was activated with the handle pulled. It happens on both of my cars, one a Honda and the other an Oldsmobile.
I assume the fuse box locations for a 1997 Olds 88 would be the same as for a 1999 - which are: (1) In the lower cover panel below the instrument cluster just left of the steering column - with a snap-off cover. (2) Passenger side 'kick panel' - side panel under the dashboard just forward of the door - lower cover panel underneath the dashboard and next to the firewall must first be removed. (3) Under the hood on passenger side on the firewall - need to remove black plastic outer cover (1/4 turn finger latches) then two black plastic inner covers (side spring latches).
You likely have a "link rod" that has either broken it's clip, or come unclipped from the lock and handle assembly. It could also be a broken door handle itself. It's very difficult to tell untill you have the door panel off to inspect.
First, pull the door panel. Should be one screw in the inside door handle (#2 phillips), and 1 or 2 (can't remember) in the inside of the hand grab (also #2 phillips). To get the door latch and lock assembly off the door panel, after removing the screw push the assembly forward (towards the front of the car) and pull outward lightly on the back of the latch assembly. Once off, you will see two metal link rods with plastic clips on them, one for the door release and one for the lock. To remove the rods from the clips, look for the "open end" of the clip and push it. This will swivel the clip out of the way and the rod will lift out of the hole. About 90 degrees of rotatiojn should be enough, and from what I remember, they will rotate (looking down) counter-clockwide to release the clips After that, it's just door panel trees. If I remember correctly, there are between 8 and 10 of them. Start at the door catch/latch and work your way around. If you have a door panel removal tool, use it. If not, a single, or even better a pair of thin (1 inch wide) putty knives can be used. Flat blade screwdriver is the last resort.
Once the door panel is off, check the other ends oif the link rods you just took off. If one isn't connected, bingo. If it is, then remove the door latch from the door frame using a 10mm socket and an extention. I believe there are 3 bolts holding the latch to the door. Check the opperation of the latch off the car using a screwdriver to act as the door striker, and opperate the levers the link rods move by hand. If the latch is bad, replace!
the Stick
Section 01-14A: Handles, Locks, Latches and Mechanisms
1995 Thunderbird, Cougar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Latch, Door
Removal and Installation
Remove front door trim panel (23942) and watershield from front door (20124). Refer to Section 01-05 .
Mark the location of the bolt retaining front door glass run front retainer (21572). Remove the bolt.
Check all rod connections against the appropriate illustration. Correct any disconnected or loose connections and check operation before replacing parts.
Remove power door lock actuator (218A42).
Disconnect the rods from the front door latch (21812) . The front door latch remote control link (21940) and the latch-to-lock cylinder rod cannot be removed because of the rod's end configuration. Remove wiring from clip on front door latch shield.
Remove front door latch control cylinder rod (22134) from the door lock cylinder (21985).
Remove front door latch remote control and link (21818).
Remove the front door latch retaining screws. Disconnect the door open warning lamp switch (14018) , if so equipped. Remove the front door latch from the front door .
NOTE: Do not damage anti-theft shield. Remove anti-theft shield from the front door latch .
Remove front door latch remote control link , front door latch control cylinder rods , and door open warning lamp switches from front door latch , where applicable.
To install, reverse Removal procedure. Tighten front door latch retaining screws 4-8 Nm (36-70 lb-in).
Item
Part Number
Description
1
21852
Front Door Latch Push Button Rod
2
21940
Front Door Latch Remote Control Link
3
386656-S
Bushing
4
21978
Door Latch Shield
5
218A42
Power Door Lock Actuator
6
22134
Front Door Latch Control Cylinder Rod
7
21812
Front Door Latch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote Control Assembly
Door Latch Removal and Installation
Remove front door trim panel (23942) and watershield. Refer to Section 01-05 .
Remove screw and washer assembly retaining front door latch remote control and link (21818) to front door (20124) .
Rotate front door latch remote control and link to remove from front door latch remote control link (21940) .
plastic place pins all along door carefully pop out with screw driver as to not damage them there should be screws in places too ie inside rest and or window roller
it is possible the rod that goes to the door latch has fallen off or the door latch is jammed,try to pull off the door panel inside the car to try and free the latch(it is hard to do ,might damage door panel
There isn't a book or manual detailed enough to show you the inner workings of this lock mechanism. You will more than likely end up damaging the door panel and the mechanism to get the door open. You could go to a junk yard and get a used latch, see how it works, and then jimmy yours open. Or you could buy a new one and do the same thing. Either way the door panel has to come off with the door open and the latch will probably be damaged. There is a little spring that comes off or breaks in the latch and causes exactly what you are describing. There could be other issues as well but it definately needs the latch replaced.
When the actuator moves the latch up, it connects the outside door handle to the opening mechanism. When the latch is down, the outside door handle is disconnected from the mechanism so that it cannot be opened. So in this case your latch needs to be replaced, the latch or one of its parts is malfunctioning. the outside handle is never beening disconnected from the latch. remove the door panel visually inspect for damage, and take the proper repair
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