I bought a 2000 SE7 a couple weeks ago and the rear (cargo) door lock actuator is confirmed bad. Working one has arrived except now the door won't open at all. When I first got it I was able to open it from the inside by holding up on the lock and the door handle at the same time. Now it's stuck shut as if the lock won't let go of the striker pin. Tried a pry bar and a buddy pulling from outside while pulling up on the lock. No luck. Anybody got a trick for getting it unstuck?

 

Mine was doing a similar issue and I ended up talking up and down on the door handle to try and free it up. The lock actuator gets dirty and rusty and end up getting stuck internally unless you clean it out. I would also suggest smacking the door a couple times to try and free it up but do not pull the handle on the outside until you have locked and unlocked the door from the inside. On mine if you would pull the handle while the door was still locked you would have to wait about an hour for the spring to eventually overcome the stickiness and allow you to open the door again.

 

You can also spray it from the outside with some silicon lube. I used the PB brand for garage door tracks... Use the straw attachment and get it up inside there... I didn't need to but you can also remove the emblem and spray through there.

 

I had this happen in a storage unit going to the airport with a first class ticket. And I was already late. Missed the first class flight and lost all the money.

 

sometimes the outside handle does not swing forward enough to engage the release mechanism. push it forward all the way, then try pulling on it......

 

A lot to unpack here.

 

Update: after weeks of prying and PB blasting, I finally caved and drilled the lock assembly to little pieces. Whatever linkage that lifts the hammer off of the pawl had broken, leaving it permanently locked until I exposed enough of it to pry the hammer off the pawl and free the door. Working actuator in place and now my cargo door works perfectly, albeit with some prybar blemishes.