I suddenly can't get my drivers side door to open. The interior and exterior door handles are attached to all the right places and tugging on all the right things. I cut an opening in the door panel (I already have a replacement) to get a look at things and yes everything appears attached properly inside the door as well. I'm going to head out and pick up some PB Blast and soak down the latching mechanism. Any ideas on how I can get this thing to release?

My 745 started giving me this problem a few years ago. It was really weird and felt like the door was locked. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't, and seemed to happen more often. I never did find a fix for it on the board and didn't tear into the door to see what was worn.

However, I discovered a workaround. If I grabbed the handle from the top, it usually didn't open. However, grabbing it with my left hand from the bottom usually works. (I just Googled images of Volvo 740 and 240 door handles and they're different, but maybe this trick helps some 740 owner.)
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1992 745, >500k km

740's and 940's are sort of infamous for having door handles stick. If the handle finger is depressed at all, they won't unlock properly when the power locks cycle. It's the same effect as when another person grabs the handle to get in, as you are unlocking with the key. Often that's caused by corrosion or stiffness inside the handle assembly. Pushing the handle finger out (towards the door, the direction the spring pulls it) often will get it to release- once the locks are cycled closed and back open.

240 doors are altogether different. The lock mechanism works differently, the action of the door switches is different and simpler, and the handle operates much differently- though it DOES pull on a lock rod vertically inside the door in a similar way.

In this case, the outside handle may be broken, or the lock rod may be bent. Can the lock button be pulled up and down normally? Also, there could be something stuck in the latch. Have you tried pushing hard on the door as it's being released? (I assume you may have tried this and also assume it's not something visible, like the seatbelt is closed in there- BTDT!)

It is possible the door hinges are so worn there's extra pressure on the latch keeping it from releasing- pulling up while locking/unlocking might help. I guess I should ask if this is the FRONT door, because even though the car has power locks, there is NO POWER LOCK actuator in front driver's doors. Seems weird, right? Only the turn of the key or push of the lock button locks or unlocks the drivers door. (Unless you've put in an extra actuator for keyless, like I did...)

Anyway, pressing in on the door or lifting it up may help.

Good luck!
--Rob





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89 244GL Turbo // 92 244 M47 \\ 90 745T // 76 242 Convertible

The outside handle was broken. Now it’s fixed, but it’s definitely not the outside handle. It’s the actual mechanism that keeps the door shut.

Yes, the lock button goes up and down with no problem.

No, I haven’t tried pushing in on the door. I’ll give that one a try. I’ve tried lifting it though with no success.

Correct, the seat belt is clear.

There may be something caught in the latch. Why? Because the latch feels like it doesn’t WANT to move. Like there is something unnatural binding things up. I stuck a mirror in there but it was so cloudy I couldn’t see much. I’m going to give it a look see again today.

This is the strangest thing I’ve had to address so far. I appreciate the suggestions. I’ll keep you all posted.

does this have power locks?

Yes it does have power locks.