Door won't open!

[JBT]

I haven't tried it, but I believe the door trim will come of with the door closed if you're careful.

[Uncle Arthur]

Hi All,

I went to the shops last night and when I tried to open my door it wouldn't open. It unlocks but that’s it. I had to climb across from the passenger side.
Now, the problem is, if I can’t open the door…how do I get the door trim off? I think it’s just the arm that’s linked to the handles (inside & out) to the door release. If I take the inside door handle off will this give me access?

Please help.

There's a small spring inside the door mechanism (from memory) that gets tired and breaks.

You need to pull the door trims- should be instructions somewhere on the www - even do a search for repairing NA door locks - I'm sure it will show up somewhere.

[lowmiata]

Daz 27 is your man!

had the same problem not to long ago!

if you did a search on door stuck ?
you might get lucky

pretty sure he posted how he fixed it

good luck!

[Mr_Q]

There's a small spring inside the door mechanism (from memory) that gets tired and breaks.

Yeah, happened on my green NA a couple of years back. You can remove the door trim with the door closed on an NA with a bit of care. The broken spring is not too uncommon. With the trim off you'll probably find a broken spring piece inside at the bottom of the door.

Most places that know MX5s (more than just how to change the oil ) should be able to help.

[ampz]

You mean the oil gets changed on these cars?

[manga_blue]

If I lock the driver's door in my NA8 then it never unlocks with keys or lock sliders. Effectively I can't lock the car - never have been able to.

The only way is to wind the window down and push a long thin strip of netal down the window slot from above the lock to find a little tab on top of the lock mech which pushes down with a slight click. I'm assuming it's a failed door lock mech. I've been afraid to pull it out because it looks so hard to reconnect all the rods inside the door afterwards.

If a little spring somewhere inside there is the answer then I'd be really, really, really happy for someone to tell me about it.

[phaedo]

If I lock the driver's door in my NA8 then it never unlocks with keys or lock sliders. Effectively I can't lock the car - never have been able to.

The only way is to wind the window down and push a long thin strip of netal down the window slot from above the lock to find a little tab on top of the lock mech which pushes down with a slight click. I'm assuming it's a failed door lock mech. I've been afraid to pull it out because it looks so hard to reconnect all the rods inside the door afterwards.

If a little spring somewhere inside there is the answer then I'd be really, really, really happy for someone to tell me about it.

I have a similar problem sometimes - put the key in but it won't unlock. Although it is not often. Seemed to happen when the weather was a bit cooler, but now with the cold snap it has not happened! So different problem probably, as it is not permanent. But still frustrating.