I have an H2 with nearly 390,000 miles on it, still going strong. I found it necessary to replace a window regulator in the right rear door and while I had everything off thought it might be a good time to replace a power lock actuator.
Replacing the actuator was relatively simple until I close the door for the first time. That was 2 months ago and I have still not come up with a way to get the door open. I have the linkage unhooked and have tried manually pulling pushing prying and this door will not open.
Any chance someone may have been stuck in the spot before?

 

Sounds like the new door actuator is defective or incompatible in some way, that's a tough one.

With the door open, I looked for some way in to unlock, but have to say it's pretty secure. The locking lever part is plastic which might break if forced, but risky I feel.

I did find this post on elvovaforums. One suggestions is to cut-away the outer door plastic part, also risky. Also there's reference to Jimmi Jammer showing how thieves break-in, but talks about the front not the rear. There's also mention of the child-lock which may be relevant.

It sounds like you've already removed the inner door trim which is a start, however I'm curious to know what prompted you to replace the door regulator originally?

Did the new regulator work OK before you changed the door actuator? I ask because it's important to firmly establish if it's an electrical or mechanical issue.

Can you hear the lock-actuator being activated?

If you kept your old door lock mechanism you'll have a working model (presumably) to work from.

Check the child-lock is deactivated (assuming you can get to it) then try opening the door from the outside or by the linkage. There is an excellent view of the child-lock on the elcova link above if you don't have your old lock.

If no power is getting to the actuator, try energizing it manually with jumper wires.

That's the best I can offer with the info I have, please, please keep us posted

 

Ouch..... depending on what is going on you might very well be stuck. Had a guy working on an ambulance to repair a sticking door latch, he closed the compartment door without the linkage connected. They had to cut the hinge off of the compartment to get back into it (external compartment with no access from the inside).

 

I'll try to add a little more color to my situation.
The power door locks haven't been working super well for a couple years. They range from clicking but not unlocking to locking or unlocking half way.
My research suggested replacing the door actuator. I replaced the rear passenger one as I had the door panel off anyway. I reattached the linkage and the wiring harness, tested it and all seemed well. Then I closed the door. It would not reopen using the outer door handle. It would not open using the inner door handle. The electric lock cycles great as it should.
I removed the linkage and reached inside the panel to manually work the little levers to no avail. Yes I made sure it was unlocked.
My best guess is it's that the latch itself is binding. Just curious if I'm the first person in history to me this up 😁

Thank you!

 

Also it's a 2003

 

On the question about the window regulator, it went from functioning as it should, to making a pop and unraveling and the window dropped down. I replaced that component with help from this forum and it works fine now.

 

Here's a Long Shot, But if there is too much pressure on the inner lock cam latch that now will not allow it to release, then with some help have someone put closing pressure on the outside of the door to relief the bind and then attempt the opening mechanism. and +1 wow I have never heard of an issue like this.

 

1st Sam! suggestion makes sense, especially since the actuator was changed (alignment?) so well worth trying. I've just been out to my rig and can prevent the latch from operating (opening with outside handle) with my just finger, so any misalignment could well be the problem. You have 3-axis of movement to play with i.e. Up/Down, In/Out and Front/Back so lots to try there.

If alignment is the issue, how on earth this can be set before closing the door is an interesting puzzle, on which I'm sure someone has done before.

Going back to your power door locks issue, this is odd, especially if it's ALL locks. The attached is a wiring diagram for a 2003, the left front actuator is controlled by the DDM, the right by the PDM and the rear relays by the BCU. If it was just the rear locks then that would point to the 20A LOCKS fuse or loos of voltage, however if it is all locks then it could be the DDM ( ) lock switch, especially if the key fob works OK. All locks are controlled are directly (rear) or indirectly (front) by the BCU.

I'm sure you'll solve it so again please keep us posted

 

I just checked the GM eSI system and it does not show any adjustment for the latch itself, just the striker. Says when replacing the latch to simply unbolt the old one, bolt the new one in, reconnect the linkages, and verify operation (before closing the door). Probably obvious how to verify now but you can use a screwdriver or something like to rotate the latch cam to its fully latched position (usually they have two positions) then pull the handle and properly working latch should spring back open to its fully open position. They can still work if the return spring is broken or sticking though. Obviously make sure the cam is fully back to the open position before trying to close the door as well.

I agree - as well with Sam. Maybe have someone applying some pressure against the door from the outside while trying to get it to release (even some up/down tugging). If the panel is off and you can get to the inside I'd think there has to be some way to get it to release.

 

I apologize, I thought I sent an update last night. The long shot came through!
I ended up having to work the door from the inside by aggressively pushing and pulling and voila it opened up.
wqtba relief
I took everything apart started from scratch and took some extra time to make sure the linkage on the door handle inside had the longest stroke possible and everything's been fine.
Thank you so much to all of you for weighing in I really really appreciate it