I couldn't find any good info about this online for Subarus so figured I would share. Also applies if you want to remove a door panel without being able to open a door. May apply to other cars, especially Nissan.
My very clever, persistent mate eventually opened the driver's side door on my wife's 2009 SF Forester. The accentuator was stuffed. The only way to open the door was to eventually break the accentuator apart with a big flat-head screwdriver and a hammer. He had to pry the inner door skin out a bit to get to it. He then replaced the accentuator and put it all back together again. Everything now works. He reckons it was the most frustrating car job he's ever done.
THANK YOU!!! I spent hours trying to get the latch to open. Your insight that the locking mechanism won't unlock with the release pulled saved me from cutting the door apart. Thank you so much!
Thanks for the insight. I have an 02 Forester that the front driver door would not latch. Once I got the panel off I could get my hand inside to lube up that latch mechanism to get things moving again. Your video was extremely helpful in getting my door back in business. Thanks a ton.
Thanks for making this video. The front driver side door in my Outback is stuck closed. When I got home last night it wouldn’t close. I jiggled the handle, got it closed and now it won’t open. I suspect it’s the same issue as your door.
Hi Jose, I ended up removing the unit with the spring at the end of the video as you see. I quickly cleaned and lubricated the assembly and have not had any problems since.
I would recommend dry graphite lube personally since I find it doesn’t pick up as much stuff and end up getting jammed again otherwise white lithium grease.
