Doors do not open from outside

[ivanuf]

I just finished a paint removal project from the rubber around the door handles. It looks like the previous owner did a touch-up paint job and the guy painted the door handles w/o removing the rubber. Anyway after I finished installing all back the car will not let me open the doors from the outside. When I pull the handle the windows go down a bit but the door does not releases. The alarm system also is acting funny. When I activate the alarm the horn does an extra beep than before. Any advise before I go to the dealer (no warranty). All the work was done with the battery disconnected.

[Loren]

Did you try using the key to unlock the door? The remote alarm shuts down after 5 days to save battery life.

[ivanuf]

I can unlock and lock the doors from the outside I can also lower the windows (the only way to get in) with the key all the way to the left. The only problem is that I can not open the door. The battery was disconnected for only about 4 hours.

[ToblertheDog]

Not sure how you made out, but perhaps you are having problems with the actuator bar? This is a rod like piece that is tied into the door release mechanism with a retaining clip. Sometimes this clip can be dislodged or break. If so, you will not be able to open your door from the outside. The door will still be able to be opened from the inside.

It's not an uncommon problem in older 996s. A replacement clip is like .37 cents, but requires a few hours of labor to remove the inner door panel,lining, etc. & navigate in a pretty tight area in order to get to the handle from the inside. So if this your problem, expect to pay a few hundred dollars at a dealer.

Just a thought.

[ivanuf]

The following are words of wisdom by Toblerthedog:

" perhaps you are having problems with the actuator bar? This is a rod like piece that is tied into the door release mechanism with a retaining clip"

I took the door panel out and fixed the loose actuator bar, it was not engage properly.

Thanks again guys, saved me a trip to the dealer and a few $$ that I can use for new mods.

:clapping: