Door won't open!

[Prinju]

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.

[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?

[Prinju]

Thanks every one for the help.

I had Army last night and it must have looked funny. I was in my cams, dropped the roof, grabbed the rollbar and windscreen and jumped in like Dukes of Hazard style...

[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.

[mightyboy]

Wow, I only just saw this thread!!

Same thing happened to me only 1 hour after finally picking up my mx5 for the first time..... spent over an hour trying to get it open. Eventually got a hold of the previous owner who suggested winding down the window (as mentioned), however at the same time, one hand on the outside door leaver, the other on the slide lock inside the car, slide the lock from locked to open and the moment you feel the lock start to disengage you quickly pull on the otuside leaver. I got it to work on the 2nd attempt

If it is a spring as you say I'll be very happy cause I was pretty pee'ed off having owned it for an hour to be locked out of the darn thing!!

[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.