Ford E-150, 250, 350 rear door latch issues.
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- čas přidán 18. 01. 2017
- This video is meant to help someone temporary or permanently solve the rear door latch not opening issues. Not meant to be criticized but possibly to help someone with the issue. Maybe Ford may find a fix for this. Update: It's 4/23/2020 and this repair is still going strong.
For another quick'n'dirty repair, on both my front side door and the right rear door, it looked like the cable had stretched, although I suspect (as Mr. Hall suggests) it's actually a bent bracket.
I didn't have to disassemble anything on the side door. On the back door, I removed the license plate holder/handle mounting plate (4 T20/M7 screws from the inside of the door.) That exposed the lever with the L-shaped slot in it (shown in the video above, under his index finger at 1:30.) Actuating the outside handle moves the lever, which is supposed to bear on the ball end of the cable, but because the cable is "too long," it doesn't pull far enough to unlatch the door.
I got some bare 12 gauge copper wire, and made a U for the side door and a J for the back door, about as tight as I could make, just slightly wider than the cable, about 1/16th.. I slipped the J into the lever and over the cable, above the ball, leading with the long leg of the J. I used that long leg to pull the J around the cable. On the side door I was able to slip it on with a pair of needle nose pliers. The copper acts like a spacer added to the ball, effectively shortening the cable. Like I say, quick'n'dirty, but I like to try cheap and easy before I invest a lot of time & $$. The side door has worked fine for a couple of weeks. I just did the rear today.
Hey, Great Job. I sold the van, but it was so easy to repair thing on it. Yes quick n dirty is all I needed.
Sir, you're a gentleman and a scholar! Simply genius!!! Thank you so much. -Tip for everyone out there on the drill bits: I used CLE-LINE bits and it went through easily. Lowe's sells them.
That's awesome glad I can help. This repair is still going strong that I don't even think about the issue anymore. Glad I could help.
I know this post must be quite old, but then again the Econolines are pretty timeless. I followed your instructions & was able to successfully repair the rear cargo door latch without replacing the whole license plate assembly. Thank you very much. I hope it holds up for a good long time.
I'm glad to hear that worked out for you. I sold the van to a friend and that repairs still holding up.
Thanks Bro, I work in construction and usually have a load in the back, so either unloading or crawling over everything to open the back was a total pain! You saved me a lot of aggravation and $'s. Thanks again!
Trust me at the time I was doing plumbing work and that was no fun climbing over some of the sharper plumbing fittings back there to trigger the back door. My repair is still going strong. I'm glad I could help.
That's awesome, I'm glad I could help. This simple repair is still going strong. Best regards.
I just fixed mine thanks to your video, and I cannot thank you enough. I had to buy a new drill bit, just like you said. Thanks again
Thank you! I watched your video and fixed my door handle. Your weren't kidding about drilling it out but well worth it. I no longer have to crawl in the side door to open the back door and saved me a lot of money.
Hannah Shirey Awesome job, glad it worked out. You should be good to go now.
I have a '95 E150 that had this problem. I did as your video instructed and Problem Solved! Thank You!
Glad I could help, the repair I made is still going strong.
UPDATE:: 1 year later and still going strong
Thanks for taking the time to post this! Great inexpensive fix!
glad I was able to help someone this is still going very strong for me.
Thank you !!!! Great overview, I had my handle stop working today, with a loaded truck I needed to unload and drive somewhere for work. I was able to CZcams your video and was able to get the door open.....I will attempt your fix in the AM, Saved my day and made me Money, I would have lost. I should save the 100. for the part and paying for the repair.
I feel your pain. It's funny how a simple fix can solve a lot of headaches. If this works for you please reply.
What if it still don't open , u wasted doe.
THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! I fixed my door today after I had to watch your video so I could unload my full van at home and go pick up another load.
I did what you did, But, I have a Harbor Freight 90 Amp Wire feed CHEAP CHEAP welder. It was on sale for $80. when I purchased it 2 years ago. I had never used it.
I put a 16 Penny Rusty used Nail behind the top latch, pushed it into proper place and welded it to the Latch and the Base plate. I had to weld, blow out the flame on the plastic caused by the welding. But a few tack welds and a few buzzes and it opens my door like brand new.
My lock is not working but I will fix that next. I will put up a quick video and refer people to watch your video !!!!! Great quick fix. Thank you.
It happened to every van ford should recall n fix it
I had to repair every latch cable except the driver’s door - it may die later. The rubber cable ends break off, the cable sheath goes slack, and the cable doesn’t have anything to pull against. I put aftermarket aluminum ends on all cable and everything worked except the floppy rear right hand latch. I bought a cheap replacement latch and license plate holder that worked.
Your fix would have solved that part but the cable assembly is junk.
Thanks for the video! It worked! Had to improvise a bit and use a screw, but had to pay attention to the gap needed. Door opens with my pinky finger even! Thanks, again!
Awesome Glad I could help. My repair is still going strong.
Thank you. Your video helped me fix mine. Saved me a lot of money. Thanks]
Crystal Choice Cleaning I'm glad this helped you... this repair is still going strong today.
If i have to crawl through that van one more time to open the door I swear Ill crack :) Thanks for the insight, exactly what I needed on my first search.
Glad I could help that repair is still going strong today
I guess I have a special problem.
They handle has broken on mine.
Not the part that moves, the part that anchors the mount.
I have a replacement latch (Amazon of all places) and need to drill out the rivits and get some bolts to rplace em.
Don't like the idea of bolting on the handle but TBH if someone has a tool kit and time they were going to get in anyway.
First my side door broke..still not fixed.. today..my back one..ugh..neither door are the main opening doors thankfully but the secondary doors..still a big pain esp as the back is where we store our bins etc..so until i can fix it or have a friend fix it i will be crawling around to get to my stuff..gr8 video..im sure this will help..thx
Hahaha...I am in the exact same situation. First the side door. Now the back door.
Readjusted margins on rear e150 doors this afternoon. Doing this latch mod on my 92 tomorrow. I think it's gonna solve the 'no open from outside' problem. Having to open from inside is no fun when the van is full of tools. My latch is just a tiny bit different than this video but close enough that I'll figure it out. Thanks for the vid.
What is the check in to see how that worked out for you this repair I did is still going strong. If you get a chance update us and good luck.
@@LHall-tu4xp I bent the cable housing arm up slightly and that took out enough cable slack that the door started opening OK. I tried removing the three torx screws that holds the latch assembly in the door (so I could get a good look at the assembly) but only got one loose. No way I was going to grind off the heads of other two to get the latch out. Pulling the exterior latch now easily releases the door OK.
Thanks for the video. This should save me some $ and a lot of headaches.
Hi Dave, this repair is still going strong.
The exact fix that I needed. Thanks!
Jason Burrell glad I could help someone out. My repair is still going strong today
I have the same issue with the ford van side door. I'm going from the opposite side (inner side) through the door metal with a bolt or screw to prop-up' that pesky arm that comes loose. I'm really not in the mood to drill out the rivets of the door handle to work on the mechanism outside of the door, but in another video (rcindustry "E150 Rear Door Repair" ) ,where the guy had access to the mechanism , he just tightened a bolt on the arm, and it worked well. Thanks for clarifying the issue.
Glad I can help this repair is still going strong for us. My coworker had the exact same issue and I helped him fix it in the same manner. This repair is still going strong.
Thank you. Many blessings to you. 🙏
You're very welcome. Glad to video was helpful. The repair is still going strong
Appreciate you posting this up!
I'm glad the video could help. Funny thing is, I sold my van to someone I see regularly and the door has not been an issue for them.
Excellent job, it seems so simple once you see how to correct it. Mine is still going strong. Again great job
You're very welcome, glad it worked out. That might be the one part that's not built FORD tough. LOL but it's simple repair. Enjoy
Found this same thing on my ‘95 e150. Find a tiny piece on the mount was broken off allowing that bracket to pivot. Wicked some CA under the bracket to hold it. Then I drilled a 1/16” hole to allow me to pin the bracket to the mount. Problem solved ‼️
Thank, I took out my back door cover but was wondering how to reach in there. Got it now.
Glad it helped you out. This repair is still going strong.
Thank You very much
You're welcome, this repair is still going strong.
The cable latch on mine need squeezes to grab cable . the outer handle tab that ride on inner latch is worn to point where if u pull 2 hard fast it slips Past inner latch. Door n o work . Contact Glue in 1/4" fuel hose on 2 tab makes door work .
That's awesome you shared a another option to make the repair. Thanks for sharing. My repair is still going strong that I no longer think about it. It's was a pain when it was broken. Good Job.
thanks. Very helpful bro.
I'm glad to help a fellow Ford owner out. Still going strong.
Thanks very much !
You're welcome. This repair is still going strong.
Same body regardless of 150 250 or 350.
Thank you
You're welcome. My repair is still going strong
You can repair the plastic with super glue mixed with ash
What size drill is best, and can use machine screw ok ?? (And hope it's my only problem ! )
Hello Gary, I used the smallest nut and bolt I had in my garage, I no longer own this van but sold it to a friend of the family and that repair is still going strong.
Ok, I got the license plate holder assembly removed, but the cable that it uses to open the door was not connected. I have two cables in my hands and I know one is for the outside handle and the other for the inside, but can't figure out where they go so I can manually activate the latch with my hand to open the rear door. The only thing I can manually manipulate is what I think is the two door lock mechanisms (outside key lock and lock pull knob from inside). Can anyone tell me how to open the latch manually by sticking my hand up there and moving something? Or how and where to reattach cables to handles so I can open the door? Thanks!
Barry Watson hello Barry, unfortunately I did not have to go that far into repairing my door handle. I do remember the one for the outside door handle had a slot in the rubber that fit perfect in the Cradle and the cable hooked into the latch hook perfect then the other was a hard metal rod that went to the lock. I hope this helps you as my door repair is working perfect.
Hello I've not run into that issue with my E-250 yet sorry I cannot help on that end. If you find a solution will you give us an update. Thanks
Sorry to hear about your scenario I have not come across that yet. If you find a solution please update us. I find that local pull and pay salvage yards is a good place to train yourself before doing your own vehicle. Keep us posted.
So the purpose of that screw is to just keep that part from flopping around? Thanks
Yes. It's still working without issues. I sold the van to someone I know. Still no issues. I hope it works out for you.
Those door problems seems worse than what they really are, once you manually operate the latch you will see how it all works, what happens is the hard plastic simply wears out and even breaks in cold weather, so whenever it's below freezing never open your doors unless you really
Have too
I hear you.... My repair is still going strong.
This would be great if my van did not have a wall in it ...i cannot get to the inside of my doors
Is it good for a 2009 ford e350 cargo van ?
I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's the same setup.
The cargo doors are a constant nuisance. It should be a recall
Hopefully they've improved the latch. My van was a 07. Sold the van to someone who's using it as a mobile car wash now, door still holding up.
"Licen Plate"
Hope it helped you.