How to remove a car door that won't open
 

So, my car has been bashed. Damage is mostly on the rear passenger door, and it's stuck shut.

Any ideas of how to either get it open or get it off without opening it?

See attached photo

If you really can't get any joy from the outside you have little option but to try and tackle the problem from the inside.

It might be easier to pull the release catch from the inside but I imagine removing the inner trim panel from the inside with the door shut will be difficult. I expect the inner door card will have to be sacrificed for the greater cause.

Hurst
 

Ask your local firefighters for help

You need to determine if the door is locked or the latch won't unlatch.

If locked, cycle the lock lever in the car while pulling / releasing the inside lever with normal force. If unlocked, I'd expect the door to open from the inside normally.

Are you going to replace the door rather than repair? If so, cut the outside of door open to gain access to latch linkage.

Pulling a door panel with the closed is going to be difficult.

Ah, you know I hadn't tried to open it from the inside. I just figured if it wouldn't open from the outside it wouldn't open from the inside. But it does open from the inside.

That'll make things easier!

I do plan on replacing it entirely.

So also, I've never taken any sort of door off. I'm mostly worried about the wiring. What's the best way to deal with it vs. the easiest way to deal with it? Or if anyone knows of any diy articles they can point me to, that'd be awesome.

Have a look at the parent of this site Peach Parts, there might be something there.

In general, some cars have a multi plug just inside the car body that you can disconnect once the interior trim is removed. You will also have one or two vacuum lines for the power locks. Worst case you will remove the wiring from inside the door then push it through the door.

Some salvage yards just cut the wires so you would have to remove old then replace with yours. If you can find out if / where a plug is and relay that to the salvage yard it would help things on your end.

Please post results here to help others.

The door assembly is going to be replaced, yes? Why not drill a pilot hole with a 1/2" hole saw bit, and use a sheet metal nippers to expose the linkage?