So last week the driver side door on my 2000 Accord ex decides to stop working. Everything seems to be in order except that it just does not open from inside or outside so I took it to honda to get it fixed. Ontop of the $130 it will cost me just to have them look at it, they said it would cost $1200 to drill out my door, replace the door panal and get a new lock mechanism.

Anyone have any opinions on this?

 

Is the safety lock opening? If the safety lock is not opening, maybe someone can jimmy it to open it up. Tow truck drivers are usually good at jimming cars *legally*

There are plastic tabs that connect the door handles to the locking mechanisim. If these break, you door handles will freely move when you try to open the door. If you door handles moves freely, then it just means that you need to be able to get inside the door somehow to open it. Since the Honda dealership is going to destroy the inside door panel, I would go ahead and cut it open as a last resort before carrying it to the dealership for them to cut it open. Cut it open and find the door lock mechanisim and try to open the door using a pliers or a vice-grip to pull the door lock.

If the problem is internal to the locking mechanisim, you could probably call a lock smith, and they should be able to do it for about $120 or so. You might be able to cut up the lock using a dremel to release the locking mechanisim so you can get the door open. From there, its just a matter replacing the locking mechanisim.

 

Every appears to be in working order. When I pull the handle on either side, it feels completely normal as in I can feel the interior of the door moving around as I pull on the handle. It just will not open.
What I'm concerned with is Honda might be ripping me off. If there is no way to get the door open, I am wondering how they would know what the problem without drilling my door.

 

I am not sure if this can work, but do you think that the lock is just stiff from not being opened very much? Is it possible to open the rear door and somehow get WD40 with the straw nozzle and spray it into the lock to try to free it up?

I would take it to a few different smaller body shops or any auto shops to get some other opinions before plunking down $1000 on getting a door open. I am sure lots of people will have different ideas on getting the door open. When you find a idea that sound like it might work, stick with it.

 

My car is a coupe and I will probably take it to a smaller shop.

Thanks for the reply

 

Try calling a lock smith too. They work with locks. I have never heard of a lock sticking like that, but they might have encountered it before and know what to do. A lock is a lock, and if your analysis is correct, its a problem with the lock itself.

I think they come to your for free and if they cant fix it they dont charge you. I am not sure, but my neighbour lost his key to his motorcycle before and it took 3 locksmiths before they were able to make him a new key. The previous ones didnt charge, because they couldnt fix it.