Rear Door Won't Open

[Guest bob b]

My ZX nearside rear door has plagued me for years; it sometimes won't open from the outside; from the inside it always opens fine (unless kiddy lock is on).

 

Today it won't open at all. From inside or outside. Have spent a morning with WD40 thumping, coaxing and heaving. No joy at all.

It feels like the outside handle is working properly but that the latch is stuck on the striker bar (possibly).

 

How on earth can I release the thing? - it doesn't look easy to remove the inside door trim with the door shut, and I'm not sure that would help anyway.

 

Is it possible to loosen the striker plate from the luggage compartment or from underneath the car?

 

Getting desperate, MOT next week I'm sure this would fail.

 

Any thoughts gratefully received.

 

Bob B

 

Edit: Problem now solved. (Removed door trim; applied gallons of WD40 through tube to latch mechanism; operated handle and locking mechanism many times and it eventually unstuck itself.)

Edited June 21, 2010 by bob b

[Guest Colin Hunter]

My ZX nearside rear door has plagued me for years; it sometimes won't open from the outside; from the inside it always opens fine (unless kiddy lock is on).

 

Today it won't open at all. From inside or outside. Have spent a morning with WD40 thumping, coaxing and heaving. No joy at all.

It feels like the outside handle is working properly but that the latch is stuck on the striker bar (possibly).

 

How on earth can I release the thing? - it doesn't look easy to remove the inside door trim with the door shut, and I'm not sure that would help anyway.

 

Is it possible to loosen the striker plate from the luggage compartment or from underneath the car?

 

Getting desperate, MOT next week I'm sure this would fail.

 

Any thoughts gratefully received.

 

Bob B

 

Edit: Problem now solved. (Removed door trim; applied gallons of WD40 through tube to latch mechanism; operated handle and locking mechanism many times and it eventually unstuck itself.)

 

Hi Bob. Sounds like you need a new lock mechanism. I had to replace the Passengers door one on my son's '96 elation and was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the price was from Citroen. Chances are that your local dealer may have some ZX parts on the shelf that they want to unload. Amazing what you can get if you ask!