When it got really cold last month both the front doors froze and wouldn't unlock and then the driver side unfroze but the passenger side is still not working but also the temperature outside is usually around 0-10 at this time. I went to a shop and left it in around 70 degree garage for around 30min and it still didn't unfreeze then the guy said it might be broken and i would need to schedule an appointment to get it looked at which would cost me $50. Does anyone know what might be wrong with it and if there's a way to either fix it myself or fix it for cheaper ? There's no way to open to the door from the outside or the inside like it's locked

 

There is a thread on this topic on page 2, most likely the problem is a broken actuator in the door.

 

Ok I just read that topic then I called the dealership and they said it would start at $105 for a half hour of labor just to tell me what's wrong with it and it could go longer than that. And even if I did bring it there how would they open the door to get the panel off if it will not unlock? I need some solutions and possibly cheaper because I am not trying to pay $100 or $200 just for them to take a look at it.

 

Any possibility you can leave in in a heated environment for more than a half hour just to be sure ice/freezing is not the issue? happened in the cold so probably need to eliminate that possibility.

 

Yeah I was thinking about trying that but I don't have a heated garage and I left it there for only 30min because they were closing so I couldn't stay longer.. The other option I guess would be to just wait until the summer which probably won't be for another 3months. But the guy at that repair shop said that the handle feels loose to him so he thinks that something might be broken and I think he may be right because it feels that way to me too but I don't know I'm not sure..

 

Other option is to take the door panel off yourself and inspect the door actuator. You could in theory use a hair dryer or heat gun to carefully heat up the components to make sure they aren't frozen. I know the FSM is available on NICOClub if you need to figure out how to get the panel apart.

S

 

I would need to figure out how to unlock the door first because there's no way to take the panel off if the door will not open

 

Do you guys think it would be possible to unlock it using a slim jim ?

 

A quick question... how old is the car... any warrenty involved.. like 36/36

 

It's a 2009 so there is no warranty I have to pay for everything myself. A few places said they would diagnose the problem for $50 but I forgot to ask them if they realized that there's no way to take the panel off because the door will not open.

 

I had the same problem but with my drivers door. The dealer wanted $1050 to repair it. They were going to charge me for the door panel, actuator and labor. I took it my car to a local custom audio shop and the guy there was able to get my door open without breaking the door panel. It is possible. It took him about 45 minutes. I would check with a local shop and they should be able to do it.

 

Yeah I saw your topic and I posted there too I wanted to know how that guy got the door to open? I tried to go to a few places but nobody would look at it unless I pay them $50 first and I don't want to pay them if they don't even know if they will be able to open it. The nissan dealership said their rate starts at $105 to diagnose the problem

 

He started at the top and slow worked his way down till he was able to reach in and pop the lock. Also had to remove a trim piece between the rear and front seat between the two doors