New door handle won't open from inside (98 Camry)
 

Hello,

I have a 1998 Camry LE. The front passenger inside door handle and plastic housing broke. I purchased a new one and used this video to replace it:


However, the door now doesn't open from the inside. If I unlock it with the auto-lock or flip the plastic lock manually, I can open it from the outside.

The rod that connects from the plastic handle seems to still be attached to the opening mechanism (nothing seems severed, etc.), but I can't look all the way in to where it connects because it goes further inside the door.

Attachment 3782

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfkmvyncq.jpg

Can someone give me direction on how to fix it? Please let me know what other info you may need.

Thanks!

Did you connect the two rods?

You might remove the door panel to examine the locking mechanism closely. It has happen a spring breaks and the door can't be unlocked at all.

Hi Joey,

Yes, the two photos above are after I connected the new handle. For the top rod (the one that opens the latch), I had to use a small knife to shave the diameter open so the rod could go in. The bottom rod went into the hole right away.

When you say "remove the door panel," do you know of a guide online to show me? I can't find one online (only the ones to remove the armrest panel come up - like the video I linked to).

Thanks,

I could not view the photos during the first post.

Before the part replacement you could open the door without unlocking the door handle flip lock?

Compare the passengers side unlock operation with the drivers and note if there is a difference.

I would be curious to know what the problem was, I need to replace the same handle because the plastic broke.

I had a mechanic fix the problem. He said the rod or parts that connect to the locking mechanism were bent or stretched. He bent it back into place.

Thanks for posting back with the fix.

Inside Door handle fix
 

Hello dalegribble,
I had the exact same problem you did with my 1998 Camry LE.
I replaced the driver side inside door handle but the door still wouldn't open from the inside. I realized that if I pulled hard on the rod itself, the door would open. I think over time the rod straightens out. I used a pair of plyers to increase the bend in the rod. Then I connected it back to the handle and everything worked great.