Body - Rear Door Outside And Inside Handle Inoperative

TECHNICAL

Bulletin No.: 09-08-64-005

Date: March 10, 2009

Subject:
Rear Door Outside and Inside Handle Inoperative, Rear Door Locks Inoperative (Inspect and Align Handle Cable and Lock Linkages)

Models:
2006-2009 Buick Lucerne

Condition

Some customers may comment that the rear door outside and inside handles won't open the rear doors. The rear door locks may also be inoperative.

Cause

This condition may be caused by an improperly routed cable between the lock handle and the latch within the door and occurred at the time of assembly. The interior door handle release cable incorporates a foam sleeve that is designed to prevent the cable from being trapped by the water deflector attachment adhesive. If the cable sleeve is out of position, the cable may be trapped by the adhesive. This may cause a bind or kink condition and prevent the cable from functioning. The lock rods may also be out of position.

Correction

Important:
Do not replace the door latch assembly for this condition.

Use the following steps to inspect and align the components and restore the function of the door handles and locks.

1. Remove the interior trim panel on the affected door. Refer to Rear Side Door Trim Panel Replacement in SI.





2. Inspect the cable that links the latch to the inner door handle. It is possible that the foam sleeve may be positioned too close to the handle end of the cable (1).





3. Reposition the cable and ensure that the foam sleeve is positioned as shown (2).

4. If the above listed cable is properly routed and not binding, remove the water deflector for further diagnosis. Refer to Rear Side Door Water Deflector Replacement in SI.

5. Inspect the connecting rod between the interior lock control and the latch for a binding, out of position or alignment conditions. Correct as required.

6. Inspect the connecting rod between the latch and the outside door handle for a binding or alignment condition. Correct as required.

7. Reinstall the water deflector. Refer to Rear Side Door Water Deflector Replacement in SI.

8. Reinstall the interior trim panel on the affected door. Refer to Rear Side Door Trim Panel Replacement in SI.

9. Verify the correct operation of the latching and locking functions of the affected door.

10. If the condition is not corrected, refer to Symptoms - Vehicle Access in Vehicle Access in the Body Systems section of SI.





Warranty Information





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