Hi my tribute 2003 passenger door is not opening anymore. It's stuck locked.
When I press the automatic door unlock it tries to unlock but after 3 clicks it stops and doesn't unlock. Kinda like the rod is blocked inside the door.
I tried to manually push the button to unlock but its hard and won't work.
I can't take the trim off the door since its closed and stucked there.
What should I do??

HELP ME!!!

Sonny - esc_productions@hotmail.com

 

Don't carry a passenger?! Just kidding. It's possible your latch broke - VERY common - and the broken piece of plastic got stuck (mine broke but the small piece fell "harmlessly" into the door panel...I just couldn't open the door from the inside). One thing you might try is to remove the internal door handle (the entire panel doesn't necessarily have to come off) and check the assembly: 1) open the small cap just behind the handle to unveil the screw, 2) remove the screw, 3) slide the plastic cover gently toward the front of the car and remove, 4) remove the door handle and lock by pulling on either side of the black assembly that's attached by two tabs, 5) check for broken piece(s) and also check the cable fitting and small cylinder on the top by opening the black "cover"/tab, 6) reinstall in reverse order - note the plastic cover from #3 does take a little work to put back correctly. If necessary, get a new door handle...there are several places on line that sell them, one being www.onlinemazdaparts.com - your local dealer will be $$$. Another option you could try is a locksmith to break into your car... Good luck.

 

Hi, thanks for your help.
I found what was the problem.
There is a little ketch inside the door right behind the exterior handle.
I took off a part of the door trim (pretty tricky when door is closed!) opened it enough to put my arm into the door and push the small ketch to its place.
The problem was: the ketch was 'rusty' it's got a spring and the ketch was not coming in it's original place by itself. when I pushed the ketch, I then opened the door normally. I took out the whole door trim so
I had space to work from there. A big load of WD-40 on the ketch and on the door ketch itself. Everything works fine now!!

TRICK: when you pull the exterior handle, make sur the handle is not loose and it comes back to its place... If not, you got the same problem!

TIP: Verify/lube those ketches once a while before you get the same problem, it's really frustrating when you door sticks closed!

Cheers
Sonny (2003 Mazda Tribute)