About a month ago I noticed the driver side door lock actuator for my 2015 ram 1500 was beginning to give out, as it would only lock/unlock from the fob every 3rd or 4th time. It finally stopped working altogether and I ordered a new actuator. I have since been using my key to get in and out without issue. However, today I went to try and unlock my door and the key would not turn in the lock. I leaned in through the back door and tried to pull the lock up manually with no success. I then tried to pull the inside handle to get it to unlock and open. There was a lot of resistance and the plastic clip that connects the cable (from the latch) to the inside door handle snapped. I went to the fire department near my work and asked them to try a slim jim on the lock. They were able to reach down to the latching mechanism and try to pull up on it but could not get it to unlock just like I could not pull up on the lock from the inside.

So now I am stuck with a door that will not unlock and open and therefore I cannot take the door panel off to try and look inside and remedy the issue. I was curious if anyone has seen something like this and if there is perhaps a way to take the panel off with the door shut. Or maybe there's some weird way I am not thinking of to get the door open. I am kind of thinking my only option might be to cut a giant hole in the door panel and try to get the latch open that way and then just replace the panel with a new one. If you have any insight, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

 

I think any screws holding it in place should still be accessible. The clips that hold the perimeter in place though, are gonna be fun with the door shut. Good chance you are going to so some damage getting it off.

 

I have been getting in and out of my truck through the passenger door yesterday and today. On my drive home from work today I looked over at the lock and thought I'd humor myself and try to pull it up. Sure enough it unlocked no problem... I am so confused as to what happened. Maybe it's just the nature of a failing actuator that it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, but I still don't understand why it was impossible to unlock yesterday. It was so unwilling to unlock that I broke the clips that attach the cable running from the latch to the inside door handle and the rod that connects the outside key hole to the locking mechanism. So I guess if this happens to anyone else, my advice would be wait a day. I was able to open the door and replace the actuator (took about a half hour) and then pick up the door lock rod clips at an auto parts store for like 5 bucks a clip.

 

That's just weird.

Well, at least it's fixed.