It' my first (and surely not last ) surprise with this new project of mine. I have a copy of the workshop manual but there is no provision for opening the door when closed and someting broken (cable?) in the handle. Anyone know how to get to this mechanism without opening the door first. The inside door panel bottom screws are not atainable!

Help ease my mind please tell me it's possible!

Thanks!

 

The way I would do it if faced with that problem:

remove the Driver's side seat, (4 nuts on the floor),

remove the Passenger's side seat. (4 nuts on the floor)

then you can sit and work on the passenger side floor and carefully remove the door "card" or door's interior upholstery panel using the Factory Service Manual instructions.

once the upholstery panel is removed, you can pull the linkages inside the door to get it open and find out what broke. .

 

You appear new, so welcome.

The XJ-SC is not for in here. It is teh next model forum down, as in XJ-S....

The door trim/panel is not removeable without opening the door.

Once undone the panel is undone/relaesed from the steel bit of the door, it needs to lifted "up and away" from the door itself. Clearly not do-able with the door closed.

The outside handle should still release teh door, unless that also has an issue.