The drive's door handle has stopped returning after the door has been opened.
I removed the interior trim in the hope I would be able to see the problem.
Has anyone removed the metal plate that holds everything?

Lift door handle up and spray some wd40 and see if that cures it before you take anything apart

I've had this problem.

The problem is caused by a strong spring on the handle assembly itself breaking its 'holding' cage.

Not that easy to fix.

Here are the notes from my service file I made when I fixed this problem.

------------
Opening door something 'pinged' and the handle spring resistance
became less and handle would not fully return unless pressed down.

Stripped door down (see eLearn for trim, door handle switches removal etc.).
Unclipped glass and propped window high with top rear window edge actually outside of the window frame to allow access to back of door handle.

Removed inner frame assembly including disconnection of door jam electrical connection.

Followed eLearn to remove outer door handle.

Fully removed VERY STORNG handle spring which had both worn the handle platic
and broken part of the 'cage' chamber.

NOTE! When refitting handle you will find that the outside handle will be in the
up position. You have to release the 'pawl' by manually fully closing
the lock. Then the handle will drop and be lifted down by the inner lock mechanism.

Door handle feel / action actually alot better. Softer and still returns.
--------

Sorry the notes are a little cryptic. They read ok after doing the job but that was over two years ago.

An extra bit that I recall is. Take a very very careful look at the inside of the handle and how it is connected to the rest of the lock mechanism before proceeding. To actually remove the handle assembly there is a flat fishplate that slides in to retain the assemby.

Good luck.

Nick

This has just gone on mine.

Reading through Nick's notes I think it's something I'll try and live with for a while unless someone's found an easier workaround.

It's always something else....

Well this is a long forgotten post.

I can confirm that my driver's door handle still works gracefully, soft lift and doesn't snap back to pinch your fingers.

No other associated issues except ONE!

After replacing the door card then occasionally in cold weather I got a faint rattle from behind the door card. This disappeared if I gently lifted/tensioned the interior handle and linkage. I tolerated this for a very long time and this summer decided to fix the problem.

Removed door card on a warm day and put strips sticky backed foam draught excluder behind/between the internal cable. Problem solved!

Got round to doing this job last week. The return spring is too strong and had worn the plastic of the handle. I bent the spring to sit in the handle at a different place and also bent it to reduce it's strength. Works fine now and the handle is easier to pull.

Hope my notes helped.

I removed the spring entirely and have had no issues since. The lift handle is just a gentle touch and returns every time.

I'm waiting for my passenger side handle to fail. Since I retired 3+ years ago most days we go swimming so the wife uses the passenger door which is something that did not happen on the daily work ruins. Only a matter of time. How long I don't know as my Croma and her Barchetta share the daily/swimming runs.

At least when/if it does fail I guess I can claim a 50% contribution from the boss! ?

Good to see you are still a Croma owner S130. Just done the 100000mls.

Granvilleb said:

Good to see you are still a Croma owner S130. Just done the 100000mls.

Click to expand...

Suspect / hoping I will be for some while yet. Waiting to see what Fiat introduce in 2014 to replace the Bravo which, like the Alfa Guiletta, is now out of production.

Apart from the Doblo, and the now defunct Bravo Fiat UK do not have any vehicle (excluding Ducato van) that can tow OVER 1000kg braked load.

In Europe they have the Freemont (not what I could call a real Fiat).

Seems at the moment the Fiat cars are either small, fast/sporty or people carriers. I just want a good sized car that can tow over 1000kg. Ford, Skoda, Audi, BMW, Citreon, Mercedes ........ all have traditional car models that can easily do this but not Fiat. :yuck:

I'm in the same situation. i want replace the Croma with a model similar but Fiat seam to lost their way again. No SUV unless you go Jeep.
By the way I didn't say that your info on the door handle was very helpful.