Door Won't open (latch assembly broke?)
 

:confused:
Hello, just registered so this is my first post. Looks like there is a lot of good info on this site! I need some advise.

I own a 4 door 2000 Accord EX. Last Monday morning the temp in the AM here in Virginia was 17-degrees F (burr). I used my remote to unlock the Accord. All the locks popped open. I lifted the door handle on the left back pass side and something must have happen, maybe from the freezing weather. At any rate the door would not open from the outside. I tried to open the door from the inside and that did not release the door either. Both the outside and inside door handles feels very loose as though there is no resistance to release the door latch. At any rate at least the power locks still works on this door so I think my problem is isolated to just the mechanical parts that releases the door latch.

Any suggestions on fixing this myself, should I call a lock smith to open the door with their "slim-jim" tool or can I do this myself from the inside. I assume this will it be expensive if I go to the dealer for them to fix. Any help provided is most appreciated!

i really dont know what kind of tool u will need to have this fix so, i would recommend you to take it to ur personal mechanic. the dealer will probably charge u the price of a new door. should b like a $50 job and u supply whatever is broken.

If you're sure the door wasnt frozen shut, you probably snapped something in there. I don't even know how you'd start to fix it since you can't take the door panel off without opening the door...take it somewhere to get it fixed.

Here is a quick update.
Had a small time Honda repair shop take a look at the door. Come to find out that the entire exterior door handle has to be replaced. The entire handle is plastic and on the cold morning the plastic arm which triggers the door latch to release snapped. The handle had to be orderd to match my car color. Had to schedule a return visit. The handle cost $50.95 and the labor was $91.64 + $2.66 materials. All in all the total was $147.93. I guess it could have been worse. At least they did not have to break the inner door panel to loosen the door. Now on cold days I'm extra careful when pulling on the door handle. I'm in Virginia so hope this help anyone else who's in the same situation.

If I have any resistance what so ever on cold days I would always go back in the house and get some warm water and pour it down the door and listen for the ice to pop then I would open the door and use it a few times.

I would also lube up the weather stripping on the door so that it wouldn't freeze up with water.

wonder how they got in the door without breaking anything? i have always wondered this. i know on the older accords, you had to drill.