2000 Sienna XLE without power sliders but with power locks. The outside door handle on the left slider has been repaired once (small crack), but this time somebody (though, of course, everybody denies it) must have decided the door was "stuck" and ripped the entire door handle off. It's in several pieces now.
In theory, I could probably bend over and try to get a new door handle and replace it, but while I was removing the remnants of the old handle and taping up the holes (to prevent water getting inside the door for now), I noticed something else a bit weird, I can't open the door at all now!
The handle basically attaches to a cable, the other end of which goes down into the mechanism. I'd assumed that if I just pulled on the end of the cable a bit, the door would open for me, but it won't. The inside button doesn't do anything either. As near as I can tell the actual locking mechanism is locking/unlocking (I can see the parts moving in response). There's no rust or anything, so I'd almost suspect there's some sort of "interlock" that's preventing me from opening the door unless I do something specific.
If I knew that just buying a new handle and installing it (which may itself be a neat trick if I can't open the door to get the inside panels off), I wouldn't worry too much, but the van has 315000km on it so it's at that stage of its life where we have to make the old "fix or replace" decision. If there's something else broken in the locking mechanism, I'd expect it to cost a fortune to replace the parts, and may push it over the threshold.
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
I have the same situation, on a 2001 LE. Looks like the handle is $63.36, not too bad, so I am going to buy it. Tell me if you can find that piece of plastic cheaper anywhere.
Anyway, the part is different between manual and power locks, so maybe the handle does something special...
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
Success - replacement took about an hour, including babysitting 2 kids.
There are 10 white clips and a screw in the cupholder holding the interior panel on. Used a putty knife and screwdriver wrapped in masking tape to pry it off. Peal back the plastic, unbolt the old handle, unclip the wire, put the new one on, duct tape plastic back, clip panel back, screw cupholder back - you need a phillips wratchet driver - no way you fit a screw driver in there...
Here's the pics...
Last edited by NatronsMean; 03-01-2008 at 12:15 PM.
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
Mine just broke yesterday. After using a ratchet drive to remove the screw, I discovered that the cupholder pops off so a regular screwdriver or drill can be used. But I have a 2001, don't know if that makes a difference. The part cost me $95! Could only get it from the dealer, no one else stocked it. Stinks! I will install it tonite and let you know how it goes. Last year I had to fix the rear door handle using a method I found online in which a screw is inserted into the broken pieces and held together. Took an hour, but I did not have to buy a handle for it. I wish that same guy had a fix for the sliding doors! I cannot believe Toyota has not replaced plastic, high use handles with something more durable...I guess that is why the new vans have remote electronic entry. I would hate to see the price on replace one of those motors!
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
I have a 2002 Sienna and my son broke my handle trying to open the door when it was locked. I went to the body shop and they ordered it for me, $70.00. Didn't check dealer price, they are 50 miles away!
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
We have a similar problem with our 1999 Sienna. On the right (US passenger) side, both the front and slider (non-motorized) outside handles have broken (enthusiastic and impatient teen, probably). While hunting for a more serious part problem (ignition lock cylinder), I've been keeping an eye out for these, along with the driver's side inside handle. If any of you have experience with <www.speedycarparts.com>, <www.cheaptoyotaparts.com>, or <www.partspros.com>, I'd love to hear about it. They have an aftermarket (black only) handle for some $35.
A while back, I fixed the liftgate hatch handle with some metal pieces, but not before trying the screw fix, and having it break also, then ordering a new (plastic) handle from the Dallas parts folks at <www.toyota-parts.com>. Now I see the above have both a plastic OEM-style handle, and an improved design metal one. Improvements can happen!
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
I have a 2000 Toyota Sienna minivan. The driver side, rear sliding door handle (plastic exterior) cracked in half. I purchased a new plastic handle assembly, with matching color/paint, from a local Toyota dealer for about $100. I could have bought an aftermarket assembly on-line for about $40 but it only came in black, whereas my van is tan/sand/beige color.
I followed the instructions from "NatronsMean" and they worked perfectly! Thank you VERY MUCH! The pictures helped quite a bit! The only thing I might add is to how to remove the inner door panel. You simply use a puddy knife in between the seems to pry the inner door panel off. No damage is done and the panel snaps right back in place when you are ready to put it back on. It took about 30 minutes to complete the repair.
One more thing, I had my two daughters help me. They are 14 and 16 years old and they found the repair to be extremely easy. I would consider all of us to be novices when it comes to auto repair.
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
Part Numbers: See the links in my posting over at <www.automotiveforums.com>; some of them have a pretty good search feature, where you put in your make, model, year etc and pick the part you need. Pricing and quality, of course, as they say, "Your Mileage May Vary!" ==YMMV ;-)
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
Thanks to Natron! I had a variation of this problem in that my handle was not broken but the inside door release would not open the door (only the outside door handle). Your pictures where great and allowed be to get panel of in just a few minutes. From there notice there was a little screw size "white plastic" bushing thingy that had four notches or rings around it. The cable from the inside release was threaded thru the bushing thingy which which was snapped into a metal bracket next to it. Specifically the 3rd notch/ring was snapped into the bracket so I unsnapped it and re-snapped it in on the last (4th) notch/ring. This increased the throw/travel of the inside release cable just enough to allow the inside door release to work properly. Entire fix took less than 1 hour! THANKS AGAIN!!!
2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
Re: 2000 Sienna XLE: broken rear sliding door handle
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