Hi everybody,
My g/f just picked up her first car after we looked for something she could afford it's a 1986 Olds Delta 88 with a 3.8 V6 and 114k on it and the body is in really good shape other than needing some wax engine and trans seem strong and the interior is great too. The only things that I have found so far that don't work are the radio, which is no big deal since she wants a CD player, and the AC which I would expect for a car 20 y/o. The problem I need help with is the rear door won't open either side, I have had problems like this before and can usually figire linkage and stuff like that out but the problem is they won't open from the inside or outsdie and it doesn't look like you can take the door panel off w/o damaging it with out opening the door to get it off, has anybody had this problem and have any idea how to fix it? Also is there anything else I should look for that might need replacing or anything like that? All in all it looks like a great car especially for $350!


Thanks
Chris

Ahh door panels. You're lucky it's the rear door and can be taken off with the door closed, but not easy.

-Take off the armrest top-piece. You'll find it will pop off. There should be 4 screws then you have to take off.

-There is also one more screw behind the door handle. Remove the screw and the trim piece around it.

-Then it's all fun from there trying to pry the panel back. Might be kinda difficult with the door being closed, but it will eventually come loose.

Now for the door not opening problem, could be anything. Not exaclty my expertise. Somone else will have to take it from there...

does the locking mechanism work? When you push the manual lock up and down, does it click like its actually locking and unlocking the door? Or does it just move freely up and down?

The linkage is my best guess, and from the sound of it, the handle linkage, not the lock linkage is either broken or shaken off. Only an inspection will tell for sure... Let us know how removing the panel goes, and what you see inside.

Thanks for the replies ya'll, the main thing I was worried about was getting the panel off then going from there, if I can get the panel off then I can most likely get the door open which will make the whole fixing process easier! As for how it is acting, the rear drivers door acts exactly like it is locked but isn't and it feels like the lock is working it isn't loose or anything like that, the passenger rear door handle button is stuck in, but other than that it is acting exactly like the other side. I would say everything is needing oiled up good since all the locks on all the doors seem pretty "sticky" and don't want to move.

Thanks for the help anymoore ideas or suggestions would be great!!

Chris