Door Latch Removal and Disassembly

NOTE:
The tailgate should be left open to allow entry into vehicle in the event the doors are inadvertently locked.

1. Raise the windows, open the tailgate.

2. Obtain radio code and disconnect battery negative terminal.

3. Refer to WSM section 76 and remove inner door pane!.

CAUTION:
Use extreme care not to tear the water curtain. The curtain must be replaced if severely damaged. Small tears in the water curtain may be repaired with waterproof tape.

4. Carefully remove the rear half of the water curtain to allow access to the latch.

5. Remove exterior release linkage rod by first disconnecting the latch end, followed by the handle end.

6. On drivers side door perform the following:

^ Remove Torx(R) head screw securing the rear end of the handle.

^ Slide the handle forward to release it from the door and pivot the rear end outward.

CAUTION:
Do not use force to remove key linkage





^ Release key linkage from handle by destroying clip with screwdriver as shown in figure 1.

^ Continue pivoting handle from the front mounting point.

6. Disconnect two electrical connectors from latch.





7. Carefully release harness retainer from door (Figure 2).
The harness retainer will be used for reassembly.

8. Remove latch assembly as follows:

^ Unscrew and remove sill button from linkage.

^ Remove three latch screws.

^ Detach interior release cable from latch.

^ Remove latch from vehicle.

MODIFICATIONS





1. Drill two 7 mm (17/64 in.) holes in door casing as shown in Figure 3. Touch up exposed metal using Dinotrol(R) AV25 (RTC7769125).

Update two-cavity connector housing.





^ Remove wire terminal from the existing connector housing by releasing the terminal as shown in Figure 4 and discard old housing.





^ Install the wire and terminal in cavity 2 of the new housing. (Figure 5).





^ Install anti-backout device and gray colored blanking plug. (Figure 6).

NOTE:
If terminal is damaged during removal, a replacement is supplied in Kit STC3866.

3. Prepare latch for installation.





^ Secure latch leads to latch housing with one wire tie (Figure 7).





^ Install body clip on two-cavity connector (Figure 8).