Hi, I have a 2010 HHR panel. About 6 months ago, the dashboard door open button ceased working on the driver's side rear door, so I simply started opening it from inside by reaching in behind the driver's door and opening it with the inside handle. But just the other day, that handle stopped opening the door like the handle became disengaged with the open mechanism, inside of the door, itself. As anyone who owns an HHR panel will tell you, there are no door handles on the outside (or windows) on these doors. It seems that I have no way to open that door now. Does anyone have any tips on how I might open it, so that I can repair the issue?

Rear door, driver's side.



Arrow points to inside door handle.
Rear Door Drivers Side.

 

Too bad you didn't fix it at the start - as you will likely have to destroy that inner panel to get at the innards of the door to fix the latest issue. You can try removing the inner door handle and see if it is broken (they have been known to break) - and you MIGHT be able to grab the rod that actuates the opening mechanism if the handle can be partially or totally removed.

 

The latch is operated by a cable from the door handle.
Have a look at this, it might help:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ts-pics-45839/

 

I don't know if the panel latch is the same? They are different part numbers.

A good locksmith could probably get the door open.

 

Oh geez, I was thinking that might be the case. Major design flaw with Chevy on that one....

 

Not really - if one had attended to the proper maintenance at the beginning of the problem, there would not be an issue at this time.

 

Whopper made a good point. Reaching back and opening the door with the handle would be putting a lot of stress on the handle. They are plastic, meant to unlatch the door only. Not intended for use leveraging the door open. Might be just a broken handle.

Of course, you'll also have to figure out why the popper wasn't unlatching the door.

 

What's wrong with the remote ? Your LS should have this, mine: 08 Panel 2LT has door popper buttons on the key Fob. (see image, & sorry for lousy pic quality)

Panel remote with Remote start, & door poppers for each side.

2007 Panel (1st year for Panels) was only year GM did not have a Fob to remote pop rear doors.

 

Remote won’t over come the broken door handle problem.

 

Thanks FMG , done