Driver's door won't open

2008 Saturn Vue liftgate will not open

The endgate/liftgate can be locked or unlocked by operating either one of the front door lock switches, your's doesn't do this ?
Endgate/Liftgate
Once the vehicle doors have been unlocked, the endgate/liftgate can be opened by using the handle mounted to the exterior of the gate. The endgate/liftgate can be locked or unlocked by operating either one of the front door lock switches, or by pressing the Lock/Unlock button on the key fob. The endgate/liftgate lock and unlock functions operate in conjunction with the rear doors.

LOCKING AND UNLOCKING
You can use the power door lock control or the remote control to lock and unlock your doors and tailgate.See Tailgate Lock.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock control is on the driver and front passenger door panels.

AUnlock.
BLock. Remote Control
You can use the remote control at any time your vehicle is not running.
Unlocking the Vehicle (Two-Stage Unlock)
Press the button to unlock the driver door. Press the button again within three seconds to unlock all doors.The direction indicators flash. The direction indicators flash twice to confirm the change. The unlocking mode applies to the remote control, keyless entry keypad and intelligent access.
Press and hold both the lock and unlock buttons on the remote control for four seconds to disable or enable two-stage unlocking. Disabling two-stage unlocking allows your entire vehicle to unlock with one press of the button.
Intelligent access at the driver door unlocks your entire vehicle when you disable two-stage unlocking.
Locking the Vehicle
Press the button to lock all doors.The direction indicators flash.
Press the button again within three seconds to confirm that all the doors are closed.The doors lock again, the horn sounds and the direction indicators flash if all the doors are closed.
Mislock
If any door is open, or if the hood is open on vehicles with an anti-theft alarm or remote start, the horn sounds twice and the direction indicators do not flash.
Activating Intelligent Access
General Information
You can unlock and lock the vehicle without taking the keys out of your pocket or purse when your intelligent access key is within 3 ft (1 m) of your vehicle. Intelligent access uses a sensor on the back of the door handle for unlocking and a separate sensor on the face of each door handle for locking.
The system does not function if:

• Your vehicle battery has no charge.
• The key battery has no charge.
• The key frequencies are jammed.

Note: The system may not function if the key is close to metal objects or electronic devices, for example keys or a cell phone.
Note: If the system does not function, use the key blade to lock and unlock your vehicle. See Remote Control.
Unlocking Using Intelligent Access
With your intelligent access key within 3 ft (1 m) of your vehicle, touch the unlock sensor on the back of the door handle for a brief period and then pull on the door handle to unlock, being careful to not touch the lock sensor at the same time or pulling the door handle too quickly. The intelligent access system requires a brief delay to authenticate your intelligent access key fob.
Locking Using Intelligent Access
With your intelligent access key within 3 ft (1 m) of your vehicle, touch the outer door handle lock sensor for approximately one second to lock, being careful to not touch the unlock sensor on the back of the door handle at the same time. After locking, you can immediately pull on the door handle to confirm locking occurred without inadvertently unlocking.
Note: Do not use the outside door handle as a roof cargo strap.
At the Electronic Tailgate (If Equipped)
Press the exterior tailgate release button inside of the tailgate handle. The tailgate unlocks and opens. See Electronic Tailgate.
Smart Unlock
This feature helps to prevent you from locking your intelligent access key inside your vehicle's passenger compartment or rear cargo area.
If you leave your key in the ignition, when you open the driver door and lock your vehicle with the power door lock control, the doors lock then unlock.
You can still lock your vehicle with the key in the ignition by:

• Using the manual lock on the inside of the door.
• Locking the driver door with a key.
• Using the keyless entry keypad.
• Using the lock button on the remote control.

Smart Unlocks for Intelligent Access Keys
This feature helps to prevent you from locking your intelligent access key inside your vehicle's passenger compartment or rear cargo area.
When you lock your vehicle using the power door lock control (with the door open, vehicle in park and ignition off), your vehicle searches for an intelligent access key in the passenger compartment after you close the door. If your vehicle finds a key, all of the doors immediately unlock.
In order to override the smart unlock feature and intentionally lock the intelligent access key inside your vehicle, you can lock your vehicle after all doors are closed by using the keyless entry keypad, pressing the lock button on another intelligent access key or touching the locking area on the handle with another intelligent access key in your hand.
When you open one of the front doors and lock your vehicle using the power door lock control, all doors lock then unlock if the ignition is on.
Autolock
Autolock locks all the doors when:

• All doors are closed.
• The ignition is on.
• You shift into any gear putting your vehicle in motion.
• Your vehicle reaches a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).

Autolock repeats when:

• You open then close any door while the ignition is on and your vehicle speed is 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower.
• Your vehicle reaches a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).

Autounlock
Autounlock unlocks all the doors when:

• The ignition is on, all the doors are closed, and your vehicle has been moving at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).
• Your vehicle comes to a stop and you switch the ignition off or to the accessory position.
• You open the driver door within 10 minutes of switching the ignition off or to accessory.

Note: The doors do not autounlock if you electronically lock your vehicle after you switch the ignition off and before you open the driver door.
Enabling or Disabling Autounlock
You can enable or disable the autounlock feature in the information display or an authorized dealer can do it for you. See General Information.
Illuminated Entry
The interior lamps and select exterior lamps illuminate when you unlock the doors with the remote entry system.
The illuminated entry system turns off the lights if:

• The ignition is on.
• You press the remote control lock button.
• After 25 seconds of illumination.

The dome lamp does not turn on if the control is set to the off position.
The lights do not turn off if:

• You switch them on with the dimmer control.
• Any door is open.

Battery Saver
The battery saver turns off the interior lamps 30 minutes after you switch off the ignition if a door is open and the dome lamp switch is on. It turns off the interior lamps after 10 minutes if the dome lamp switch is off.
Accessory Mode Battery Saver for Intelligent Access Keys (If Equipped)
If you leave the ignition on after leaving your vehicle, it turns off 15 minutes after you close all of the doors.

those door latches use a very tense spring that engage the closing mechansim. If the handle lifts without any restiction at all,,the sping is missing...if the handle when pulled or lifted offers slight resistance,this means it is very weak and needs replaced. it does not have enough rigidity to release the lock works from the lock pin that is fixed to the inside door facing.

Sounds as tho your lock linkages have came loose from the door lock mechanism. The door panel will have to be removed to check and repair the problem.

Pull the vertical rods not the horizonal rods.

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.

I had the same problem on mine.
Tyr this: Use the interior handle and lift it. Hold it and, with a pencil, you need to lift a little part on the lock system. Once this is lift, the door will engage. Now do not lock your door before closing your door!

Order the exterior door handle AND the clip that attaches the rod to the exterior handle from your local dealership ( any part in the salvage yard will have at least as much wear as the one U are replacing ) Also order a can of touch up paint matching your car. After you have the parts and have painted the new exterior handle, roll down the window and remove the interior door panel. ( instructions have been posted at 'replace door lock buttom' ) Two nuts, one on each side, hold the broken handle in place and must be removed ( DON'T loose them ). Loosen the rod from the clip at the top to allow a bit more room, But take note on the way it is attached ( you will need to reattach the rod to new handle ) To install new mechanism put the new clip on the rod, carefully place the gasket and the new handle in place and install nuts to secure. Test the door handle and make sure it works. Reinstall interior door panel.

The problem is the door latch, you can use sawsall to cut the door stricker off this way you can open the door and replace the latch

Ford had a problem with the door handles not working properly. They are cheap plastic. If the exterior door handle is broken, you will need to drill out the rivets that hold it in, and then get the door open and the panel off. You have to disconnect the rod going to it. Then, remove the handle. If you don't want to drill again, I suggest replacing the rivets with a bolt and nut easily obtainable at your hardware store. I've found that a M7 bolt works very well. If you are having a problem with the interior door handle, it's the same problem. Remember to check your door latch because if your exterior handle is broken, then your latch isn't working properly. I got one at Ford for about 40 bucks.