Part 1: Mazda Miata door won’t open (1990-1997).

Part 1 of 2.
The 1991 Mazda MX5 Miata in this video has a drivers door that will not open. There is no response from the interior or exterior door handle. I explain the cause and attempt to trigger the latch mechanism manually.
This is the same for all 1990-1997 Mazda MX5 Miatas and Eunos Roadsters.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of MiataMan, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. MiataMan assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. MiataMan recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of MiataMan, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not MiataMan.

[@KD-xf6kf]

This is the second time your channel has saved me on my exact problem with my Miata! Thanks for the detailed explanation!

[@MiataMan]

Great to hear!

[@stantheman5163]

As Kwilis stated, you should be able to get a workable spring from your local hardware store. My local ACE hardware has a section with springs right next to all the bolts and screws. I used Kwilis' technique to fix a broken carburetor spring in the Texas desert to get me out of trouble while I was moving cross-country in an old VW bus.

[@kwilis2116]

wish i had this last summer! forums werent much help and i had to figure it out myself. was a few weeks of hopping into the car over the door with the top down! I bought a "close enough" size spring and cut it to size and undid the end to make a new hook, worked great and have had no issues since. i found opening the door with the panel off from the inside was easiest by pulling (or pushing? i dont remember anymore) one of the rods to get the mechanism back to a place to open from the inside (tough to explain without a video). if you have that done, as long as you never lock the door and pull the handle **WHILE LOCKED** , it should still open until you fix the issue, then you can lock the door without worry. i forgot this multiple times...

[@bellafrench1154]

Help me, i cant get into mine someone stole my door handles…

[@abelinconln2915]

What's that movie, "Gone in 60 seconds"

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

Thanks COOP ...

[@Gilly999999]

Thank you so much!

[@joshhouston7277]

How do you take of the panels

[@TheWolfenMole]

I'm having real trouble with this. My door is stuck closed but the spring is still in place, so the spring isn't my issue. The mechanism is very stiff but I can manipulate it so that it sits in the 'open position' (where the spring is extended and the latch is down) but nothing happens. Is there another way to open the door without using the mechanism? Like shimming between the door and chassis? I can't put it in for it's MOT until the door works so I can't legally drive it until its fixed!

[@MiataMan]

I don’t think you can get it open without manipulating the latch. I would spray it down with penetrating oil and see if it will cooperate.