Rear drivers door lock latch won;t hold to keep door closed. The instrument panel light shows door is open, I disconnected battery cable so it won't drain and not start. 1998 Mitsubshi Galant

if latch is down in secure position use a key or screw driver to reset it the following shows how to reset latches
FIX CAR DOOR LATCH if the latch is damaged internally will need to remove he panel and examine the rods and or springs for damage or disconnect and as to worrying about a dead battery undo the fuse or relay

This worked for me on 2008 Mk5 Golf, after the rear passenger door would not open fro outside or inside.

Hold the inside door latch open and keep it extended, then with the key fob open and close the door locks (still holding the inside latch open). Keep locking and unlocking the door, then it made a kluck and it released.

Hi John, If the latching mechanism is in the locked position, does it open when either of the handles are pulled? If it is not opening you may need clean and service the linkages and the latching mechanism or replace the latch. The locking mechanism inside the latch is is an off center sort of horse shoe shape. If it is closed you will see a bar which will be in an almost vertical position, and it should release when either of the door handles is operated. If it is failing to lock, (which I am suspecting), the latch will be at an angle of about fifty degrees. If that is the case, using a Philips (star screw driver) push the latch back to find out if it is latching. If it does, use either of the handles to release it again. If it fails to hold in the closed position, the linkages from the release handles may be fouled, damaged or disconnected. If everything is correct in those areas, the latch may need replacement. Check that first, let me know how you get on and if we need to go further and carry out a replacement, which will mean removing the door panel, and the mechanism let me know so we can go through it together. Regards John

if you talking about door latch wont let door close.try to reset all door locks.first if you cant get door close.work unlock button with remote or door switch.then hold open door handle while you flat screw driver pull up latch in door latch should stay up so door will close.once get door close.try resetting all door locks by sitting inside vechicle with all doors close.remove key from ignition.open drivers door.wait 24 seconds.turn ignition switch on and back to lock position 3 times.press and release drivers door courtesy light 3 times.ensure doors lock and unlock.if not wait 40 seconds and repeat procedure.if this procedure fails. you have problem in the door latch and lock mechanism inside the door itself.

I am not a mechanic/car guy and I was able to fix what appears to be the same problem about 6 months ago. It took about 3 hours but I was taking my time and had zero experience. I needed a flat head screw driver (for prying the covers off) a set of torx bits and a socket set. Sorry I can't remember the sizes but I'd say it's about $40 dollars in tools. Plus I used a can of wd40 for cleaning, a can of cable lube plus a small tube of dielectric grease to re-lube the door mechanism. Mine was caused the same way; seatbelt in door and door forced shut. I was able to get the seatbelt out of the frame though. If yours is wedged shut my fix won't be the same. This is not a trivial job but doing it myself saved me about $725 based on the dealer estimate to fix. The dealer said the latch mechanism and all cables needed to be replaced plus a few hours labour.
In my case the mechanism that latches the door was stuck between full close and full open. I had to pull the door panel off from the inside and trace the cable to the latch mechanism and give it a tug for the latch to disengage. It did not make sense to have to do this because you would think the door handles would pull the cable enough but in my case the lube in the cable sleeve and on the latch mechanism had degraded enough that the spring in the latch mechanism couldn't move. This is the root cause of the problem. I have the LTZ trim so I'm not sure your handles are the same on the inside but I had to remove torx screws in the handle in the middle of door plus I had to pry the plug around the lock out and around the door latch/lock button. The door panel itself will pry off with a little finesse and brute force. Be sure to use more finesse than brute force. It is handy to have the window down and a friend spotting for you so you don't break any of the numerous clips or plugs. Once the panel is free you will have to disconnect the electrical harness and undo some of the sealant holding the insulation. There are also a few linkages between the handles and lock that you may need to disconnect to get your arm in there. If you made it this far and were able to open the door I'd say you are pretty handy so you may as well go the few steps further and remove the latch mechanism and clean it real good. There are two blots near the latch of the outside of the door that hold it in place. Mine had some minor corrosion and a ton of dirt. I removed the big stuff then put it in a small coffee can and went to town with the wd40. Take your time so the lube has time to penetrate. Once the latch is snapping back with little effort grease it up. and reinstall. Hope this helps ya out.

Jaguar 2000-06 - Locks & Lock Systems
Power Door Locks - Removal & Installation

Door Lock Switch
Door Lock Diagnosis & Testing

1. Visually inspect the following:
   Misaligned door(s), hood or luggage compartment lid Door latches Actuating rod Exterior door handle Interior door handle Door lock cylinder Cable Luggage compartment lid exterior release switch Fuse(s) Wiring harness Electrical connector Door lock actuator Remote transmitter batteries Vehicle battery Remote transmitter Door lock switch Front electronic module
2. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.

Door Lock Motor
Coupe And Convertible

1. Turn ignition key to position II.
2. Motor door glass to fully raised position.
3. Turn ignition key to position O.
4. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
5. Remove door casing for access.
6. Remove door water shedder.
7. Position PVC secondary water shedder for access.
8. Slacken and remove the door glass rear runner lower securing screws.
9. Reposition door glass rear runner. Mark the position of the glass rear runner upper securing screw.
10. Slacken and remove the upper securing screw and move the runner away from the glass.
11. Disconnect door handle and lock barrel (driver door only) operating rods from latch links.
12. Slacken and remove the three latch assembly securing screws and position latch for access.
13. Remove latch motor harness multiplug from mounting bracket and disconnect multiplug.
14. Release operating cable from door handle. Move inner door handle to the locked position. Remove operating cable outer abutment from support bracket. Disconnect cable inner from door inner handle.
15. Remove lock motor assembly from door.
16. To install, reverse removal procedure.
    
    
    

    Fig. Removing door lock actuator
    

Sedan

1. Remove the door window glass
2. Detach the interior door handle.
3. Detach the actuator remote cable from the interior door handle.
4. Remove the interior door handle.
5. Detach the door window glass run.
6. Remove the exterior door handle retaining screws.
7. Remove the front door actuator retaining screws.
8. Reposition the front door actuator and exterior handle.
9. Remove the front door actuator and exterior handle.
10. Disconnect the front door actuator remote cable.
11. Detach the door lock cylinder connecting rod (1).
12. Detach the exterior door handle connecting rod (2).
13. Remove the front door actuator (3).
14. To install, reverse removal procedure.
    
    
    

    Fig. Removing door lock motor-Sedan
    

Hope this helps.

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.

...
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.

very difficult. you literally must rip the door trim panel off the door. its made to come off with the door open. sounds like the actuator cable for the latch is disconnected or broken. just because the lock looks unlocked that dosent mean it is, it may be the lock cable at the latch. the latch assy is located inside the door.

Section 501-14A: Handles, Locks, Latches and Mechanisms 1997 F-150, F-250 Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Latch, Rear Door — Upper Removal

1. Remove the rear door trim panel; refer to Section 501-05 .

1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.
   1. Remove the four radio speaker screws.
   1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
   1. Remove the rear door radio speaker.

1. Carefully peel off the rear door watershield.

1. Disconnect the upper rear door latch cable.
   1. Lift the clip.
   1. Pull to release the cable from its seated position.

1. Remove the upper rear door latch.
   1. Remove the three screws.
   1. Pull the upper rear door latch and the cable up through the door latch opening.

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)