T4 drivers door catch failure.

[RosselT4]

Hi all. I own a 1997 T4 and this afternoon the drivers door catch/lock failed to open. The door was not locked and the door would not open from inside as well as outside. Operating the key made no difference. U-tube supplied several videos on repairing the lock but they all showed the door open to access the lock and to remove the door card. How can I open the door to allow the repair? It seems a screw and a plastic clip are concealed when the door is closed , preventing access. Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions. RosselT4.

[Seano]

For both handles to fail the problem is probably the catch mechanism itself. You'll have to get the door card off but as you say both of the top screws are inaccessible with the door shut...and I can't think of a way in other than through the interior pull with an endoscope! Haynes manual doesn't help much either.

[Gold Coaster]

Maybe these might help ... I know that they're not T4's but they may give you a few ideas to work with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGyb9aSoIFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy3KbKkAZZ0

[Sunny43.5]

I feel your pain had this with our T5 I did manage to get the top off and open it but the T4 is different , wish we still had my sons T4 so I could see what might work . Now as a retired motor trimmer we used to open lots of doors that were jammed or locked with no key , sometimes you could remove the internal or external seal against the glass . This would give better access to the inside and also working space to manipulate parts . If you can do this and get to the locking mechanism you may find there is an anti theft shield covering the lock so it may be awkward . Not sure if the T4 has the shield so you can only try , when you pull the internal or external handle does it have any resistance like its trying to pull the release ? this is what the T5 was like and I did manage to manipulate the lock from inside eventually . The second video was pretty good by the way wish I had seen that when ours was stuffed .

[RosselT4]

A big thanks to Seano , Gold Coaster and Sunny43.5 for your help. The problem is resolved. In frustration, I gave the door a mighty heave and it moved to the safety catch position and then opened normally. I found a small circular magnet jammed in the striker plate which clearly was the problem. I use these magnets to hold reflective foil to the inside of the door windows when camping and one had somehow got into the lock area. Total mystery how that happened. Once again, thank you for taking the time to assist. RosselT4.

[Sunny43.5]

We probably sent you on a wild goose chase with the suggestions , but so glad you found the culprit . With ours I actually had a crow bar sitting on the back floor in case I lost my temper and decided to use brute force instead of the calming influence of the other side of my brain , the other side won and I was able to get the top of the door trim off enough to manipulate the lock .