MikeySkiBoy
New member
Nah. I'm afraid that it's not been that hot up here - just outside Aberdeen.
Can only think that whatever had moved out of postion, has now moved back................... until the next time!
Technical Back door won't open, any ideas
- Thread starter cd1yat
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Technical Back door won't open, any ideas
Nah. I'm afraid that it's not been that hot up here - just outside Aberdeen.
Can only think that whatever had moved out of postion, has now moved back................... until the next time!
MuddyPaws
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To revive an older thread.... last week the rear passenger-side outside door handle on our 10 month old Panda Cross stopped working, and today the front passenger door outside door handle on my 4 year old Panda Lounge has done the same thing! What’s wrong with Fiat door handles? The rubber seals don’t stick at all and the inside handles work fine in both cases, just the outside handles don’t operate the latch. At least the Cross will be covered by the warranty (I hope) so I’ll see what that is before tackling the Lounge myself. Any tips on removing the front door interior trim to get at the mechanism please.
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Mine were stuck..but i fixit with some heavy grease on the slider rod that goes in the door.That was months ago ..and still smooth as ever.By heavy grease i mean like old gear bearing grease
There are also some of those super annoying clips all around. They require excessive force to remove, making you worry that something will break, so you end up trying to be gentle and pry them open with a pry tool, but then they snap back when you move on to the next clip so in a fit of rage you yank really hard, breaking two and snapping the speaker wires.
Then again, I am not a patient person.
Then again, I am not a patient person.
MuddyPaws
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Flipin’ ‘eck! ours have self righted as well after being totally inoperative for 3 days. No idea why. Cooler air temperatures maybe?
MuddyPaws
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Now, after several months of working okay, it won’t work at all from the outside. The interior handle remains depressed into the door recess, rather than flush with the surface of the door, but will still open the door. The outside handle lifts but does nothing. I suppose it is safer to be able to get out, but not in, rather than the other way around. Will this still be covered by the warranty as the car is now 18 months old, or is it going to cost me, I wonder?
You have 6 months of main 2 year warranty left. So case of finding dealer with some mechanical sympathy who can get the trim off without breaking anything. Definitely case of booking car in in person as I discovered that no one would touch my ventilation bulb issue when I emailed, but a friend sorted instead. :worship:
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Had a similar problem complicated by the child proof locks being engaged. Took back to main dealer under warranty and they managed to fix it. However, on close inspection a day later found there was damage to the interior panel and a number of pimple dents to the exterior bodywork.
Not impressed so took pictures and returned car to dealers.
After a few 'discussions' they finally agreed to repair and respray entire door and replace butchered interior panel.
Not a good experience from a Fiat dealer and not impressed with a certain amount of bull that was tried - possibly in an attempt to get me to accept a cheaper (for them) solution. A number of trips to the garage and being without the car for a number of days was more inconvenience.
Hope you get it sorted.
Cheers
Bob
Not impressed so took pictures and returned car to dealers.
After a few 'discussions' they finally agreed to repair and respray entire door and replace butchered interior panel.
Not a good experience from a Fiat dealer and not impressed with a certain amount of bull that was tried - possibly in an attempt to get me to accept a cheaper (for them) solution. A number of trips to the garage and being without the car for a number of days was more inconvenience.
Hope you get it sorted.
Cheers
Bob
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Thats the sort of lousy service I have seen from multifranchise places.
I would rather travel further to a place where FIAT trained person does the job as they were shown.
Not a bloke in Citroen overall who has just crawled from under a transit tipper.
I know it's a late reply but it may help someone in the future.
I just failed my MOT because of this exact same issue, so I had to sort it out. The problem in my case (and I bet it's the same for you given the same symptoms): the little motor that actuates the lock was seized in the locked position, making it possible to open from the inside but not outide with the internal handle springing back in the locked position after pulling it.
In my case it was easy to unblock the motor after opening the latch mechanism. The steps are:
1. Remove the internal door panel (rear in my case). To do this there are 2 screws hidden behind two covers in the handles. If you have manual windows you have to pull the window handle until you uncover a steel omega shaped clip under the plastic ring, push it out with a screwdriver or similar. Then just pry the bottom of the door panel out of the door, these are just plastic clips holding it in. When no more clips are left, lift the panel upwards and it will slide up and come out.
2. Disengage the control cable from the internal handle (you have to unclip it by twisting the plastic terminal around the vertical axis, don't try to pry it out!) remove the fabric layer, and unscrew the latch from the side of the door (the 3 torx screws next to the child lock)
3. Free the lock from the electrical connector and the 2 control cables and open it up (there are 2 screws and a few latches). You will now have access to the motor as per picture attached. If it's locked and you can't turn it by hand, there's your problem. Try and turn the bronze gear with pliers and apply some wd40. Make it turn a few times until smooth.
4.Reassemble and enjoy!
The worst part is taking the window handle and door panel out, the rest is quite intuitive. The whole process would have taken less than 1h if I had this guide, and it was 100% free!
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MikeySkiBoy
New member
Great work. No longer have the car, so can’t check it out. Hopefully your tips will help someone.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
For what its worth, I had a similar problem with our Seat a few years ago. I was just preparing to cut a hole on the door skin to get access....
Google search suggestions were consistently slap the handle / door. A few firm slaps did the trick and enabled me to remove and clean the lock.
I would add be careful if slapping a Fiat not to break or bend it as they are not made of such strong stuff. If a front lock plays up, put the spare key in the lock and give that a sharp tap after a good dose of WD40 or similar. Thats a much surer bet than the rears.
Google search suggestions were consistently slap the handle / door. A few firm slaps did the trick and enabled me to remove and clean the lock.
I would add be careful if slapping a Fiat not to break or bend it as they are not made of such strong stuff. If a front lock plays up, put the spare key in the lock and give that a sharp tap after a good dose of WD40 or similar. Thats a much surer bet than the rears.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Glad to hear this has sorted itself out!
Possibly temperature related? We've had some scorchers the past month or so, but it seems to have cooled down over the last week.
Glad to hear it. I have decided to remove the door cards on ours and ensure the rear locks are given some magic lock lubricant from our local locksmiths and pray this prevents it. These things do tent to recur!
Panda 4x4 TA Antarctica
Member
These are great notes - we have experienced the same issues - rear n/s door stuck shut. Unfortunately, being the family hack, the rear doors had the child locks are engaged, so despite getting the door card off, carefully peeling back the liner fabric, uncoupling the handles etc, we still can’t open the door. I’m wondering if I can pry the lock apart, as in these images, from within the door to reach the cam?
Are all the lock mechanism fixing screws accessible from the inside, or are they on the outside of the lock mechanism? I think I see 2x small Phillips head screws - are they the only ones?
If I can get it open, I can work the spindle and , if necessary, replace the lock unit. As it is I cannot get the door open at all. Infuriating!!
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Panda 4x4 TA Antarctica
Member
The lesson here, btw, is don't use the child locks! ?
Panda 4x4 TA Antarctica
Member
Well - I eventually got it open without any damage to the door. I had to disassemble the lock in-situ in the rear door to do it. I could probably put it all back together, but tbh, I’d rather put a fresh lock mechanism on and be sure it’s all working ok. Where have people found best for parts? Looking at Shop4Parts - anyone have any experience with them?
lunchbeers
Established member
Shop4parts are great, recommend without hesitation.
I normally reference them against Fiat Workshop in Royston for prices, sometimes they're the cheaper option.
I normally reference them against Fiat Workshop in Royston for prices, sometimes they're the cheaper option.
All good.. they take a trade stand to Italian car shows..as that is their market.. fiat and alfa
Worth a phone call to discuss your requirements..as the Forum discount helps cover the P+P..etc
If it was a rare failure I would suggest partsworld.. but their 80% discounts tend to be on 'discontinued.. dusty shelf..' parts
You could still google the part number though..
