outside door handle stuck

[sandwalkerJT]

Thanks to this forum, I saved a bunch of money on this very issue. I did manage to mess up quite a few things that I'd like to share. Hope this will save someone some trouble.

- bought my part off ebay for $53 shipped, took a while to arrive, mean time i already took apart my door and had taped up the handle holes on the outside. It occurred to me that if i had the windows up and the batteries died, there'd be no way to unlock/open any of the doors without breaking a window or something.
- The new part had a problem with the ball connector at the end of the cable being too big (as others have experienced on this post). No problem, i used the cable from the old part, it was still good, fits like a charm.
- I had the toughest time putting the hex bolt back onto the key lock unit. something about not getting the right angle. It helped alot to take the plastic cap off the key unit so you can see the bolt threading thru properly. I think you dont put the keyhole unit all the way in flush until you get the bolt started. bolting it in will draw that piece in place.
- I did manage the break the clip off the plastic cap of the key hole unit when pushing it back in place and ended up glueing it back in place with one side of the clip still somewhat working.
- when i removed the handle, i twisted too much and pulled too hard, causing the pastic tabs to wear off the attaching stud in front, so the front end of the handle is no longer securely locked in. I ended up drilling a leader hole and bolting in a washer with a short wood screw on the inside. seem to have worked very well, very sturdy.
- I wonder why no one mentioned the little light that illuminates the inside door release lever. It dangles on a long wire next to the window control unit wires. I didnt know where it went at first and then couldnt figure out how to fit it back in place properly. after i closed everything back up, i noticed that the light fell off from where it's suppose to be. oh well.
- all in all took me total about 5 hours, most of the time spent messing with the hex bolt. made bunch of mistakes, but in the end the repair was successful and i'm quite satisfied with the results.