How to reconnect door handles on 1987 el camino

You will probably need to strip the door card off to get access to the mechanical parts inside the door. It is a fiddly, pain in the backside job that will skin your knuckles but it's the only way to remove and replace both door release handles and the connectors without resorting to the extreme of replacing the entire door. This is a labour intensive so a mechanic will charge you for a few hours to do this.

The rod connecting the outside latch handle to the latch catch is disconnected. Someone will need to take the door panel off and repair the connection rod. It was a broken plastic connector that joined the rods on my 2003 Kia Optima that caused the problem.

you will need to remove inner door panel, either the handle itself broke where the rod connects,or the rod fell off or broke at the door latch, or the door latch lever bent or corrodded, the outer and inner handles use the same door latch but not the same mechanisms or rods to operate the latch. Once you remove the door panel and the inner dust shield with the window up look in the bottom of door for clips or a rod or broken parts. and note latch and handle for boken or bent and missing pieces. once you start looking it all becomes self explanatory.

There is a rod that goes from handle to the latch. They are held in by plastic pieces that can come off. If you can somehow get the door open, you can remove the screws and pry off the door panel so you can get a better look

typical for ford...lol........outside handle connecting rod needs to be reconnected..u have to remove door panel....then find a hanging rod in door with a attached clip and reattach to outside handle ....

Tailgate latch, handle and lock

• Open the tailgate.
• Remove the two bolts and detach the door stop.
• Lower the tailgate and remove the tailgate access cover.
• Disconnect the control rods.
• Detach the retaining nuts and remove the handle and lock cylinder assembly from the tailgate.

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Door trim panels

• Disconnect the cable(s) from the negative battery terminal(s).
• On manual window equipped models, pull the window crank cover aside, remove the screw and detach the handle.
• On the front door of power window equipped models Pry up on the retaining clip at the front edge of the armrest and lift the armrest switch control plate out and disconnect the electrical connections,then remove the retaining bolt from the opening.
• Use a small screwdriver to pry off the courtesy light cover for access to the trim panel retaining bolt.
• Carefully pry off the mirror trim panel from above the front edge of the door panel.
• Once all of the bolts are removed, remove the trim panel by gently pullingit up and out .Detach the courtesy light bulb housing from the panel.
• For access to the inner door components, remove the speaker (if it would interfere with watershield removal) and the screws from the trim piece at the lower trailing corner of the door, then carefully peel the watershield from the door.
• Remove the screws securing the latch.
• Working through the large access hole, position the latch as necessary to disconnect the electrical connector and disengage the outside door handle and outside lock cylinder to latch rods and the inside handle-to-Iatch cable.
• Detach the locking rods by unsnapping The remaining outside handle retaining nut can be reached through the access hole in the door frame and the upper striker the portionof the plastic clip engaging the connecting rod, then pulling the rod out of its locating hole.
• Position the latch as necessary to disengage the door lock actuator hook. Detach the cable cover and disconnect the cable from the latch. Remove the latch assembly from the door.

remove door panel two screws on arm rest door handle/and panel clipped into place connector clip on rod to handle or lock damaged or missing look in bottom of door for clip if broken most auto stores carry part door alignment is hinges for adjustment wheel align unless u have the equipment leave that to the pros

Rear
Removal

1. Using a small screwdriver, remove the screw cover from the armrest of rear door trim panel (27406).
   

1. Remove the two retaining screws.
   

1. Using Trim Pad Removing Tool from Rotunda Windshield and Moulding/Trim Removal Kit 107-R0401 or equivalent, pry rear door trim panel from door inner panel.
   

1. Disconnect electrical connectors.
   

Installation

1. Position rear door trim panel on door inner panel, aligning two locators on rear door trim panel. Reverse Removal procedure.
   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rear
Removal

1. Remove door trim panel and watershield. Refer to Section 01-05 .
   

1. Check all connections of remote control links and cables. Service as necessary.
   

1. Remove remote control assembly.
   

1. Remove door latch remote control assembly from latch assembly.
   

1. Drill out rivet at bellcrank and link (264B14).
   

1. Remove three screws attaching latch assembly to door.
   

1. Drill out rivet that attaches actuator motor to door.
   

1. Remove latch assembly with actuator motor and door latch control rod lever link assembly.
   

Installation

1. Install new bushings and clip onto latch assembly.
   

1. Install latch with links and power lock actuator into door cavity.
   

1. Position latch assembly to door, aligning screw holes in latch and door. Install three screws. Tighten to 10-13 Nm (89-115 lb-in).
   

1. Attach door latch actuator motor to door with a new rivet.
   

1. Install bellcrank and link to door using a new rivet.
   

1. Install inside door handle and remote control assembly to door.
   

1. Open and close door to check latch assembly operation.
   

1. Install watershield and door trim panel. Refer to Section 01-05 .
   

Item Part Number Description 1 221A00 Door Handle to Door Latch Actuating Cable 2 26446 Rear Door Control Rod Retainer 3 377901 Plug Button 4 26412 Rear Door Latch 5 W623451-S2 Push Nut 6 224A32 Counter Balance 7 22450 Door Outside Handle Tension Spring 8 W701210-S309 Screw 9 224A20 Outside Door Handle Anti Rattle Pivot (2 Req'd) 10 22404 Door Handle 11 224A24 Front Door Outside Handle Spacer (2 Req'd) 12 264A64 Rear Door Actuating Rod 13 22408 Outside Door Handle Anti-Rattle Bumper 14 22428 Outside Door Handle Large Pad 15 N621906-S2 Nut (2 Req'd) 16 N807329 Screw (3 Req'd) 17 26595 Rear Door Electric Latch Actuator (RH) 18 W701566-S47 Rivet 19 431C04-A Rear Door Latch Striker Assembly 20 — Door Lock Striker Plate (Part of Door Shell Assy) 21 W525172-S Rivet (2 Req'd) 22 264B14 Bellcrank and Link (RH) 23 264A50 Bushing 24 N802034-SG Rivet 25 26420 Rear Door Latch Control Rod Link 26 W525172-S Rivet (2 Req'd) 27 21818 RR Door Latch (Inside) 28 A26460 RR Door Latch Push Button Rod 29 21982 Door Latch Rear Striker Assembly 30 N808377-S101 Screw (2 Req'd) 31 250A04 Rear Door Catch 32 N801010-S100 Truss Head Bolt (2 Req'd) 33 N804234-S2 Screw 34 266A74 Rear Door Latch Actuator Retainer 35 24630 Rear Door 36 26552 Rear Door Latch Control Escutcheon A — Tighten to 21-29 Nm (16-21 Lb-Ft) B — Tighten to 10-13 Nm (89-115 Lb-In) C — Tighten to 7-8 Nm (62-70 Lb-In) D — Tighten to 26-34 Nm (20-25 Lb-Ft) E — Tighten to 3-4 Nm (27-35 Lb-In)

Where the rod end goes in to the door handle there should be a clip that snaps down over the rod to keep it locked in to the handle.

hook them to the latch first but make sure they are routed right. what ever you do dont bend the rods it will never open right if you do.