Passenger door not opening from the outside only

[s5tvr]

Can anyone shed some light on what might be going on here ?.

The passenger door won't open from the outside even though I can here the lock mechamism clunking away. However, it will open from the inside and there is no problem with the driver's door.

I wondered if it might be a door alignment problem ?.

Any thoughts anyone ?

[wizzpig]

Both my doors wont open from the outside only either. Been like that for ages

Do the doors shut ok?

[s5tvr]

Yep, both doors shut ok - though the passenger side door is not as flush a fit as the driver's door.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Have you checked:

1) Courtesy light switch working
2) The allen headed bolts in the striker plate aren't loose (although this usually affects both door opening methods)

[Cider Andy]

Check a similar thread from last week; it might be of help:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=8&t=196082

This occasionally happens on both doors and the bootlid on my car. By pressing the mirror button four or five times in succession it eventually pops open.

[parrot of doom]

If it opens from the inside, and not the outside, I'd suspect the switch.

[Nick_Chim]

Concur with PoD - if it opens from the inside but not outside, prime suspect is the plunger switch on the door sill - take it out & WD-40 it. Second suspect is the door open solenoid located behind the carpet in the B-pillar.

[cerby4.5]

Hi there! I am having the same (albeit intermittent) problem although with the drivers door. Happened again this morning, the door clunks but does not pop open. No probs with the passenger door? I also suspect the solenoid, but it is going in for some work on Thursday so will get them to check it.

[ian187]

parrot of doom said:

If it opens from the inside, and not the outside, I'd suspect the switch.

If you hear a clicking noise when you press the switch, then that is probably the relay (in the dash) you can hear. So I would say it was the solenoid (actuator).

Check the thread above.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

cerby4.5 said:

Hi there! I am having the same (albeit intermittent) problem although with the drivers door. Happened again this morning, the door clunks but does not pop open. No probs with the passenger door? I also suspect the solenoid, but it is going in for some work on Thursday so will get them to check it.

..as said above, this often happens when the allen headed bolts become loose & foul the door.