98 V70 base inner door handle does not work

Post by **scot850** » 18 May 2022, 21:14

Got a call from my friend. Her inside front door handle does not seem to work. Just seems to be floppy. I know the the door actuators can break and stop working from both inside and outside handles. I also know of the outside ones breaking. Not come across just the inner one.

Has anyone come across this issue and let me know what may have failed so I can try to get ahead of the repair. The car is to be here for a day or so on the weekend coming for other jobs that seem to be growing by the day!

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 19 May 2022, 06:27

I believe this happened to me with my old V70. You should probably plan on replacing the entire actuator assembly on that door, cable and all. It's possible that the cable between the interior door handle has merely come uncoupled, but it's also possible that it's broken completely. There are also a series of plastic switch mechanisms within the latch assembly that also may be the culprits.

I think RSPI has done a video on this. I know I've seen photos here or another site of the problem areas. It is probably best to familiarize yourself with the potential hotspots (i.e. cable and assembly problems) before you look for a new one. I believe I have a broken passenger door latch assembly that I could send you, perhaps there are parts on it that you could use. No promises on that, but I can check my storage later today.

Post by **scot850** » 19 May 2022, 08:48

Appreciate the offer. I have a full set of spare actuators (as you do!) should it be required but as the actuator is working otherwise I was hoping not to replace it. I don't want to fit a used one unless I fix the motor resistor first.

I have seen Robert's video in the past but it referred to the outer handle breaking which I am familiar of. I will go play with one of my spares today to see what could cause this. Appreciate the help!

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 22 May 2022, 19:13

Well 2 thinks, first I feel foolish (more than normal) in that yes I have door actuators, but they all appear to be rears for some reason!
So if anyone has a good, 2-stage LH driver's door one out there let me know please!

What appears to have failed is the return spring has broken in the door actuator which pulls the inner handle back to rest position.

Such is life............!

Neil.

Post by **MrAl** » 22 May 2022, 19:23

scot850 wrote: ↑18 May 2022, 21:14 Got a call from my friend. Her inside front door handle does not seem to work. Just seems to be floppy. I know the the door actuators can break and stop working from both inside and outside handles. I also know of the outside ones breaking. Not come across just the inner one.

Has anyone come across this issue and let me know what may have failed so I can try to get ahead of the repair. The car is to be here for a day or so on the weekend coming for other jobs that seem to be growing by the day!

Thanks,

Neil.

Hello there Scott,

I had this happen to me too at again an inopportune time. I had gone to visit a female friend of mine she was staying at a hotel a little south in New Jersey she came out from Los Angeles. We decided to go elsewhere and so we went out to the car. We got in and she shut the door but it didnt shut right so she had to open it. Pulling the handle, nothing happened. I had to roll the window down so she could reach outside and open it with the outside handle. Strange.

When i looked into it, i found that the end of the cable broke off of the mechanism. I had no way to get a new end so i used tie wraps to attach it back to the mechanism. I dont use the passenger side door much anyway so it should be ok.

I had to get tools to remove the inside door panel but they are just plastic pry bars and not too large. Less than $10 on Amazon.

I cant be sure this is the same problem you are having though maybe you can show a picture or two.

Good luck with it,
Al

Post by **scot850** » 22 May 2022, 19:42

Thanks but a different issue. Originally what you describe was what I was told. However, now I have had a chance to look at it, the door opens and closes from inside and outside, just the inner handle has no return spring acting on that cable you mention. There is a spring on the inside of the mechanism that has broken and I can't see a way to get it open without a lot of broken plastic.

I need a LH front driver's door mechanism, even one that the resistor has failed in. I can at least re-build the motor as I have some new end parts of the motor with the thermal resistors.

Thanks!

Neil.

Post by **rspi** » 22 May 2022, 20:59

My guess would be that the cable end broke at the inside door pull.

Post by **scot850** » 22 May 2022, 23:15

Hi Robert, thanks for your help too. The door can open from the inside handle, it just does not return to its closed position without a little help. If the cable end is broken, surely it would not open at all from the inside? I have not seen this issue before but looking at a spare rear door unit, I see that if you pull the cable end by the handle, you get resistance in the cable from the small spring which attached to the arm on the actuator. That spring then pulls the cable section back and closes the inside handle to it's closed position.

I am happy to be wrong on this as I have spare cables. I may have to open the door tomorrow which I was trying to avoid as I have had it opened up multiple times and I worry about the mounts breaking off. I can repair them I guess.

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 23 May 2022, 12:34

Glad I decided not to be lazy and assume the issue! Took the door panel off this morning and it is actually the spring in the handle that is broken! Naturally I don't have one of those as I have never seen/heard of one breaking and PnP charges extra for them.

Neil.