can someone help, i bought a 97 xj6 that has it's outside drivers door handle broken off and inside drivers door cable snapped, which makes it impossible to open that door, i can't take the door panel off without opening the door first? maybe someone knows a trick to open the door so i can repair, thanks

 

are you positive the door panel wont come off without being able to open it, it may take a little force. Also depending on where the cable inside broke perhaps you could grab it with some pliers and pull it. Maybe you could get just the top part off and even that would be enough to get it open with pliers.

 

yes i'll try to remove just the upper wood trim panel to get at the snapped cable, does this just pop off or is there hidden screws? thank you

 

Remove the square plastic piece behind the handle and undo that screw then remove the chrome around the handle. Next slide the wood piece towards the front and it will come off. Come to think of it any further will require the door open but that should give you a better grab at the cable

 

I thought about this also, but the three screws behind the trim have to be removed and then there's the little screw behind the lip of the rubber air thingy that is sandwiched between the door and the side of the dash. (vents air through to the door/window to demist) The door would absolutely have to be open to access this. Not sure either if the trim will slide forward enough to disengage off the clips it fits onto. Is there any way of maybe tripping the lock open from inside, using a flexible flat blade between the door and the pillar? It's a fairly straightforward approach?

 

thanks for everyone's replies but i was able to open the door from the outside by sliding a small screwdriver under what was left of the plastic door handle and lift it up while a friend pushed the door open from the inside the door assy is a poor design acct. all the lifting pressure is concentrated on only the right side of the handle, the left side does no actual pushing down on the latch rod, also the cable frays on the inside handle acct. the inside mech. is very sticky/ or hangs up/ defective and repeated pulling will eventually lead to cable failure. must order all new driver latch assy. now. but problem solved!!