Mazda 6 Door Wont Open / Broken Spring - Fix

[@MrFadi9999]

Thanks scottydscottyd, I had the same issue and fixed my door today thanks to your video. Mechanic asked for about 400 dollars to fix it.

[@juzzamuzza2529]

Thanks for the video. Here's my hints to make it easier:1: Leave the window up (you don't need to mess with the window at all).2: You can pull the main outer panel only half off if you don't want to damage clips etc3: Cut the foam inspection hole with a sharp knife so you can tape it back later.4: LEAVE the door handle actuator rod attached and reach in, shake it up and down then from the up position, push outwards on the rod where it has a slight bend, then push downwards while still retaining pressure on it to try and catch the door release. This may take a few attempts but does open the door eventually!5: Remove the outer panel and wiring clips then remove the door release/locking assembly and pull out the 2 cables that lock/release your door.6: Release both the door handle and key lock rods clip at the top of the rods.7: Remove the the rear half of the inner panel (At least 7 of the 10mm bolts) 8: Using a phillips head screw driver, give each of the 3 door lock mechanism mount screws a tap with a hammer, then undo them.9: Undo the central locking wires clip .10: Pull the cables through the hole inside the door then pull the inner panel out a bit so you can pull the mechanism out through the inspection hole (takes a bit of wriggling).11: Remove the plastic cover screws on the mechanism and fix the spring by making a new loop at one end.12: Have fun reassembling it all!

[@abdielaguil23]

I'm having a lot of trouble with this, I'm stuck at the rods one moves up and the other doesn't budge what am I supposed to do?

[@scottydscottyd]

+agui23 you can try to twist the rod when pulling it up. It can catch on the up thrust. Sometimes got to be a bit rough with it.

[@abdielaguil23]

+scottydscottyd thanks for the reply. I disconnected the rod like you said and when pulling it feels lose is it supposed to? I've been twisting up and down for a while and nothing, so I'm going to try again tomorrow with daylight. I'll let you know how it goes thanks

[@scottydscottyd]

+agui23 So you only disconnect the plastic clip that retains the rod, not the whole rod. Yes it does feel a bit lose but not totally disconnected. You almost need to shake the rod up and down, violently. Good luck.

[@abdielaguil23]

+scottydscottyd yea and doing so the whole rod disconnected from the top was that wrong?

[@lepomikko]

Thanks a lot, very good video. What I did a bit differently was that I never took the inner composite structure completely off and kept both window up and the mechanism inside the door. For me as well, the spring was broken and I just bent a new end to it.

[@edwardpaget7116]

mate still took me 2hrs to pull the thing apart but without your video would still be there. Cheers mate thanks heaps good job

[@nigelmiller5254]

I can't explain how helpful your video was when fixing the door on my Mazda 6. This was not an easy fix. My door was shut and there was no way to open it. Taking the door panel off took some good hard pulls.

[@poopenvarten]

Nigel Miller I’m currently hopping out of my passenger door ): hoping to fix soon

[@clintonpaintin8217]

Video was very helpful. You're correct Scotty when you suggest it's debatable whether to remove the composite inner door structure. You only need to release the aft section and flex it out of the way to enable removal of the latch mechanism. (make sure you wind down the window an inch or so as this unloads the window support strut studs that protrude through the composite structure and are held by the two nuts) To answer thgink kcirred querie. You need to release both the door lock and inner handle clips at the top of the door and wiggle the two rods until you get fortunate and unlatch the main door lock.It took me about 5 minutes of messing around with the rods to achieve the well said "Scotty" Eureka moment. The complete job took around 2 hours. As Scotty suggests its unavoidable that you will destroy the door card bayonets so do yourself a favour and get yourself nine of them from your Mazda wrecker or dealer before you start the job. Thanks Scotty. Sweet vid.

[@Thewhippedonelol]

You are the man bro! Just fixed my door following this step by step! Top man!

[@stevecrupi4740]

Thanks for the video, saved me a lot of headache trying to figure it out.

[@willemholleman3177]

Thank you!!! Great vid, Had same problem and watched your video and fixed it in an afternoon, well a long afternoon. Definitely, need to take a few breaks otherwise the frustration gets to be too much. This car has lots of these little things that become so hard, like replacing the light bulbs, another brutal job that should be so simple. BTW, don't let your COP's go bad too long or you will end up replacing your catalytic converters, which are built into the headers, that one cost a bundle.I have learned to hate this car as it has gotten older.

[@mikelynch3119]

Much appreciated for the video. Found exact same issue. Left window up which worked also.

[@BiddyBop7]

Thanks for taking the time to post this video. It was a big help to us.

[@strawbs42nz]

Just started watching your video now - Jesus those doors are a pig to get off aren’t they

[@guitarplayah69]

Thank you. Your video absolutely saved my ass tonight

[@archiethree]

Thanks Scotty D worked for me the spring was broken. Cheers.

[@snapped4433]

Thanks heaps man I'm a machanic and we "broke" a customer's door when we didn't and where trying everything all we really needed to know was how to remove the door card 😂

[@StockholmDashcamOfficial]

Fantastic video! You just saved me a lot of money.

[@judithcauson1515]

Could not trip it by juggling the lever. So removed the door panel as much as possible undoing as many of the screws on the plastic as able, also the top nut on the window support. Now you can pull plastic out enough to assess latch mechanism. Cut a large hole in the plastic cover over the levers with a soldering iron ( mid way up on the curve, around the end of the lever) to assess the trip lever , push down with screw driver just under the lever to open door .

[@bearscubs6994]

Never again will I own a Mazda this should be a recall at least I'm not the only with this problem

[@eend86]

Thanx for this video. It was very helpful

[@hollow_85]

advice to anyone that has to do this - get familiar with the process because you're almost definitely gonna have to do it again lol, the spring really enjoys snapping

[@spacejam3318]

Same Problem and it was the damn spring. Thx for the Video!

[@scottydscottyd]

Glad is was helpful, the quality is almost embarssing.

[@kcavitt8998]

how I got the door to open was ,with the key in the lock work the key lock , unlock, lock unlock, while pulling the door handle ... and the door opened ... I tried twisting the rods and pulling on them it was a dead end 4 me ,,, there is no need to mess with the doors inside latch or lock the cables leave them all attached , no need to mess with the window ,GG I hate working on doors..just take off enough screws off inner plastic that u can pull it out enough to slip the lock mechinsem out to work on it .. piece of cake

[@richardgladwin4099]

A day to open! takes perseverance, experimentation and skin from hands!, Jiggling rod up and down vigorously with one hand and operating door lock tab with the other, so leave cable and door lock in place at first.

[@JEHERETIC]

Cant figure out how to get the door open, its like its in locked mode but I cannot figure out how to get to the mechanism as it is covered in plastic....

[@scottydscottyd]

Do you mean the black plastic seen at 7:20? I did not have to open that up to get the door to open. To get the latch to release I had to twist the rod, that goes up to the back of the door handle and shake up and down. You have to disconnect it from the door handle first though 5:33. This is what I had to do in the end. In twisting the rod, it sort of catches the mechanism which is inside the black plastic. Good luck.

[@nicholawoollen7592]

hi matey ...after watching i dont know how many youtube vids yours seems to be the closest and best to understand! my passengers door lock actuator has ceased, the door has been permanantly closed and we will be looking at paying a fair bit this coming wednesday, if we cant do it ourselves....my partner already has the panel and everything off...the front seat out....and im sick of sitting in the back lol..he just doesnt know how to unlock the actuator...could you help pleaseeee???

[@scottydscottyd]

Sorry a bit late seeing this post. But I think that you have a different problem. This is specific to the spring breaking and when you try the door handle it does nothing, no resistance or feeling at all.

[@negrueugen7055]

Thanks man!!!

[@cotymahar629]

my door wont open though

[@scopais]

perfect, thanks for your help!

[@MP7A1pdw]

thank you for the help

[@joshhurricks]

Thank yoooou!!!

[@jareddolch4229]

There is no need to twist or shake or otherwise fiddle with the rod. Disconnect the rod from the door handle, pull the rod upward as much as possible, hit unlock, push the rod down and the door will open. Hope this helps someone in the future.

[@thomasclark250]

Nothing like coming home from work and being locked in your own car. I did mine today. It’s a 2005

[@thomaslewski3029]

So with my door being stuck shut I’ll be able to open it to remove the light then close it to remove the screw what should help be open the compartment off so I can get my door unstuck to open again?

[@michaelmcdonald2204]

If he had Inserted the key into the door and turned the key the door will unlock and pull open the door like usual. Still have to replace the handle but easier to get the panel off the frame.

[@mattjones7705]

Oi deadset the exact same km's on my 2003 mazda 6 luxury sports that has the same issue

[@glenjeong5239]

Thank you!! fixed till sunrise.. broke cover for side mirror but don't care now I can open the door!!! here are some addition tips very strong pull needed to take the door cover out was hard to put the window in correct position again in reverse process twisting the rod to open the door needed to be done with connected door handle ( don't disassemble it before door opened ) well now i still can't assemble the door cover properly ( front part around woofer ) It has a gap between door structure and the cover can't make it as it was at the beginning any advice?

[@scottydscottyd]

+Glen Jeong Maybe a retaining clip is not lining up with it corresponding hole. It is hard to describe over email, but I am sure if you carefully look over the door and cover you will see what it stopping. Good luck.

[@StockholmDashcamOfficial]

+Glen Jeong I had the same thing happen to me. It takes a little convincing, but try to roll down the window and then attach the door cover. Push along the sides to see that it's seating properly.

[@jonathancamplin5703]

thanks mate will have a go

[@septembersapphire347]

How much would a shop charge to do this?

[@scottydscottyd]

Considering it is several hours work I would say quite a bit. Maybe $300-500 USD

[@scottydscottyd]

I see comment below from Fadi Rishmawi saying he was quoted $400

[@theloveshaq8969]

where about are you located? can I come to you and get my door fixed?

[@scottydscottyd]

I am in New Zealand. 😀

[@theloveshaq8969]

@@scottydscottyd haha, aw I'm in Sydney australia :P never mind! thanks for replying :D

[@johnwilliams9660]

So this basically happened to me today in my Mazda 3 passenger door side so does It mean you have a broken spring on your door ? How much is it to replace this?

[@scottydscottyd]

Yes, it is a small spring, without it the handle does not work, it just does not unlatch the door. The spring is cheap I would imagine, but as you can see the work involved to get to the spring is extensive.

[@claudiahowell-phillips5886]

Ok so what do I do if the rod pops out and I discover the child lock is engaged? It's extremely hard to feel and guide a rod when i can't find a diagram anywhere.

[@goran3817]

Is is possible that a broken spring causes the problem because i can still open the door from outside but not from inside?

[@bradt9350]

Maybe the inside handle was broken instead.. Much easier fix if you can get the door open.

[@nestathecool3518]

nice 'deep' voice dad ;)

[@marlon94124]

Hello Scotty D. I am having the same problem you had with the driver's side door not opening from the outside and inside. I have a 2004 Mazda 6s 3.0L V6 5-speed manual transmission model and from watching your KZbin video, I see that you were having a problem with you driver's side door latch actuator, but you just fixed the spring. My question to you is why didn't you buy the whole new unit to replace your defective one?

[@scottydscottyd]

Marlon M Perez Hi. The reason really was that I did not know what part was broken until I pulled it apart. It was the weekend so just wanted to get it going again. Then decided that my fix would be fine for many years to come and left it like it.

[@marlon94124]

I just brought my car into the body shop and I have mentioned to the shop owner that I am not the only one owning a Mazda 6 having the driver's side door not opening from the outside and inside, but he needed me to replace the whole door latch actuator unit and with a new one and not fix the spring because he told me that the same problem will occur all over again. How do you feel about that?

[@scottydscottyd]

Marlon M Perez well I guess that is the safe way of doing it. He does not want you coming back and telling him it is broken again. I just took the chance. So far so good since this post.

[@marlon94124]

Okay. First generation Mazda 6 owners are not the only victims being unable to open their driver's side door, but I have seen a lot of other makes as well. Therefore, we are not alone. When I pick up my car from the body shop, I will keep the old door latch actuator and see for myself why I was unable to open my driver's side door.

[@moetutonga7225]

The panel isn't popping off 😕😐

[@scottydscottyd]

Moetu Tonga you do have to get a bit rough with it. You are basically breaking the clips that hold the panel on.

[@knighttrain30]

And you never showed how you opened the door latch

[@knighttrain30]

I think mine was different. I have power locks. I had to reach in and move the latch up and down to try to catch the part to open my door.

[@scottydscottyd]

Thgink Kcirred I see what you mean, when I watched it again. 5:27 Is where I show the rod which is attached to the door handle which needs to be disconnected from the handle and twisted and then jiggle it up and down as Clinton mentioned. It can take a while to get it to catch and release the lock.

[@knighttrain30]

man, this door kicked my ass lol. I finally got it though. My spring broke too. Dealer doesnt sell it separate. Wanted to charge me $204 for the entire mechanism. Hell no, i just used some duct tape to fix it.

[@EasycapExpertti]

Here is an easy 15 minutes way to open the door inside if the mechanism is broken: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2XVp3uQerRneJY

[@kayceeforeverlove]

What a pain in the butt! I think I will take it to the dealer...

[@scottydscottyd]

Yeh it is not a five min job.

[@1ciroloid]

Not as smart as you guys. Replaced the door.

[@cleona130]

why bother if you haven't got a camera that can give you a full size picture? it's like looking through a window??

[@scottydscottyd]

+Cleona Harrot Oh, well, some people have found it helpful. Was not looking for an Oscar award. (-:

[@StockholmDashcamOfficial]

If he hadn't bothered, I wouldn't have had the issue solved...

[@cleona130]

Update: Fixed the stuck door Took car to an auto-electrical guy, said he couldn't fix it, take it to dealer & expect to pay $500-$1000. So I went to a body shop guy... he checked the same issues said the same but at last moment asked if I'd mind if he kicked the door from the inside just in case it was stuck... Kicked the door while associate pressed door lock & SHAZZAM, it opened! Looked like a loose screw had caused the door to stick! So before you spend a lot of time & money " try to kick the door open!"

[@MsNowuknow]

Video is too dark and you act like it's your first time.

[@scottydscottyd]

lol It is not every day that my car door breaks. Yeh, this was before the days of the iPhone 11. Horrible quality. Almost want to take it down, but it still heps some people.

[@joeyweeks3660]

Your video as amongst others on here has helped me diagnose the problem. I notice theirs 2 diff springs inside the door. One up near/ or connected to the outside door handle. Then another one below where the door actuator is. Where all the rods connect to in the bottom corner. I found 1 of the 2 springs broken sitting at the bottom of door. I’ve got practically everyone undone but the inner door handle & lock. Also I’m not doing anything with the window if I don’t need to. I have it in the closed/up position.

[@maliknexus]

I have the same problem today on my Mazda 6! How much does it cost to fix? My window can open on my driver side but cannot open in or out. Its just a spring?

[@scottydscottyd]

Malik Allen Hi, I believe it can take several hundred dollars due to the the labour component. The spring is the cheap part.

[@Scarified23]

It's probably just the spring. If you see the spring has come unhooked that's it. If the spring is still on you'll probably have to buy a new actuator. It's a huge pain in the butt to do all this but if you want to lock and unlock your door you have to do it. I got mine to unlock another way, and now I'm going to just leave it unlocked all the time. If someone steals it I'll gladly take the insurance check :)