Replaced door actuator motor...door is now stuck

Hi all, long time lurker first time poster!

My door lock actuator motor on the driver side burnt out and wouldn’t unlock or lock the door so I replaced it. I put the actuator itself back together, tested it, and put it and everything back together in the door. However, I completely forgot to attach the linkage that links the outside door handle to the actuator (it fell out when I was taking out the actuator and I did not hear it) and shut the door. Now the door will not open from the inside or out. I know how to fix it but I need to get the panel off and can’t do that with the door closed. Any ideas on how to get that door open?

 

There's no way to remove the door panel with the door closed. Your only choice is to roll the window all the way down and get a flashlight to see if you can slim jim it open.

 

Both of these are not attached?

 

The top red circle is NOT connected. The bottom circle is.

 

Both are the mechanical open for the door lock. There must something else preventing the door to unlock n open to get it back to specs.

 

Maybe pop the switch panel out & fish around in there?

 

Once you get the door panel off here's how to get the door open:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stuck-door-latch-actuator-fix-writeup.531728/

 

The door does not OPEN....

 

I understand... this is how to manually trigger the actuator to release and open the door.

If the actuator actually works then look at the second picture... on the left side there is a lever that the rod attaches to... trigger that and the door should open.

 

And how do you suggest the OP get to this rod? The door must be opened before he can remove the panel to get to this rod...

 

1. Remove Door Panel (as I said that's not part of my writeup. Personally I'd sacrifice it if need be to get the inside workings of the door.)
2. Reach in with your hand and trigger the release where the rod connects.
3. If the trigger for the rod isn't working (i.e. the actuator isn't working--even if it was bench tested before installation) go ahead and cut the hole in the actuator body per the writeup to get the door open.

EDIT: For the door panel....I wonder if you can remove the panel with the window/door lock switches and use a coat hanger to trigger the release? It might be hard to do. I bought an endoscope that works with a smartphone for another project. If you taped one of those to the coat hanger you could see what you were doing....

DEPSTECH Wireless Endoscope, IP67 Waterproof WiFi Borescope Inspection 2.0 Megapixels HD Snake Camera for Android and iOS Smartphone, iPhone, iPad, Samsung -Black(11.5FT)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYTHWK4/

 

Looks like a door panel shall meet its death today

 

This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you Strange Duck!

Actually just removed the window and lock button panel and used a mirror to see if I could reach down and hit that trigger you were talking about but could not see it. That endoscope might be the trick

 

No worries...and good luck! Just remember the lever is on the outside portion of the assembly. You have to press DOWN on the lever where the rod connects. I still have my original assembly in my parts stash if you need a picture of something not shown in the thread I posted.

 

With the window down, can you use a coat hanger and hook onto that cable and pull up? Or even a metal yardstick to tap it right-left ? Just throwing out some ideas..

 

Just wanted to update. I actually fixed this a few months ago but I did what @StrangeDuck did by cutting a hole into the actuator with a Dremel and releasing the lever from the inside! It was a huge relief to not have to jump over my console every time to drive.

I could have continued using that same actuator but for peace of mind, I bought a new one and have the cut into one as a backup. Thanks again StrangeDuck, TW is awesome!

 

Did this same thing on my son's 4Runner. Forgot to hook up linkage. I think I also mixed up the 2 cables. Anyway, I thought door was stuck shut but got it open with a couple hard pulls.