1978 Volvo 244 DL

Oct 29th, 2004, 15:15

Just recently bought this car and I have finished with the tune up. I am having trouble getting the front passenger door open though. The handle inside will not go all the way back to open the door and the outside handle wont open it either. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be and/or any idea on how to get it open. And yes I have tried unlocking it. Thank you all for your help

vjck_uk · Oct 30th, 2004, 22:24

You will have to take the door trim off and open it from inside,you may find a bit of linkage has come adrift and has dropped down stopping the mechanism moving

migrator · Oct 31st, 2004, 16:45

If the door does notopen at all you are going to have a bit of a problem. If the operating lever in the door feels as though it could move further but is being stopped by the plastic trim then you may have to try to extend the slot in the trim with a hacksaw blade. This may give the extra little movement required for the mechanism to operate.

Removing the door lining with the door shut is not possible (as far as I recall) because of the methods used to hold the trim in place.

It may well be a case ot removing as much of the trim as possible (interior pull handle, lock mechanism lever surround, lock mechanism lever top, unscrew the locking push rod top etc). The lining will still be attached by press studs down both edges and along the bottom. The door speaker (if fitted may be attached to the lining rather than the metal of the door skin and if removed could afford an extra access for a hand to get in at the locking mechanism. Removing the other pieces of trim was a precursor to cutting the lining for access as a last resort. I hesitate to suggest deliberately damaging the lining as it may not be possible to get a new one from Volvo or from a breaker because of the age of the car.

Not much help but these are routes that I would try myself.

Nov 1st, 2004, 18:56

My car did this.

The central locking relay was kaput.....if your car does not have central locking then please print out this advice and burn it!

Nov 1st, 2004, 19:19

Sorry, I meant to say central locking solenoid NOT relay!

Nov 3rd, 2004, 13:39

Thank all of you for all of your help. My first approach was to take the door speaker out and try to feel around but nothing seemed to be out of place. This weekend I will try some of the things that you all suggested. Again, thank you all.

Oct 29th, 2004, 15:15	#1
Silenceo0o0 Guest Location:	1978 Volvo 244 DL Just recently bought this car and I have finished with the tune up. I am having trouble getting the front passenger door open though. The handle inside will not go all the way back to open the door and the outside handle wont open it either. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be and/or any idea on how to get it open. And yes I have tried unlocking it. Thank you all for your help

Oct 30th, 2004, 22:24	#2
vjck_uk Premier member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2017 15:54 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southern edge of birmingham	RE: 1978 Volvo 244 DL You will have to take the door trim off and open it from inside,you may find a bit of linkage has come adrift and has dropped down stopping the mechanism moving

Oct 31st, 2004, 16:45	#3
migrator Aye - him again Last Online: Today 09:29 Join Date: May 2001 Location: HAWICK	RE: 1978 Volvo 244 DL If the door does notopen at all you are going to have a bit of a problem. If the operating lever in the door feels as though it could move further but is being stopped by the plastic trim then you may have to try to extend the slot in the trim with a hacksaw blade. This may give the extra little movement required for the mechanism to operate. Removing the door lining with the door shut is not possible (as far as I recall) because of the methods used to hold the trim in place. It may well be a case ot removing as much of the trim as possible (interior pull handle, lock mechanism lever surround, lock mechanism lever top, unscrew the locking push rod top etc). The lining will still be attached by press studs down both edges and along the bottom. The door speaker (if fitted may be attached to the lining rather than the metal of the door skin and if removed could afford an extra access for a hand to get in at the locking mechanism. Removing the other pieces of trim was a precursor to cutting the lining for access as a last resort. I hesitate to suggest deliberately damaging the lining as it may not be possible to get a new one from Volvo or from a breaker because of the age of the car. Not much help but these are routes that I would try myself. __________________ (Ouch - that's another knuckle ...) VOC 11817

Nov 1st, 2004, 18:56	#4
StuartBr Guest Location:	RE: 1978 Volvo 244 DL My car did this. The central locking relay was kaput.....if your car does not have central locking then please print out this advice and burn it!

Nov 1st, 2004, 19:19	#5
StuartBr Guest Location:	RE: 1978 Volvo 244 DL Sorry, I meant to say central locking solenoid NOT relay!

Nov 3rd, 2004, 13:39	#6
Silenceo0o0 Guest Location:	RE: 1978 Volvo 244 DL Thank all of you for all of your help. My first approach was to take the door speaker out and try to feel around but nothing seemed to be out of place. This weekend I will try some of the things that you all suggested. Again, thank you all.

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