Driver side door won't open from the outside unless

[RK TJ]

I’ve seen Discussions on the forum about doors not opening from the outside but my case was unique So I wanted to post

I’m able to open my driver side door only If I push the door inward then it will unlatch. Door also is not flush when shut (bottom right curve of door is not flush). This happens with both my soft and hard top. Passenger side door works great and fits flush. Driver side door also opens up fine from the inside

I checked the weatherstripping and it looks like new.

Any ideas?

 

[dbbd1]

Despite your problem sounding "unique," I would still check those pesky little (plastic) rod retainer clips. Maybe one is cracked. There are separate clips for the outside paddle and the inside lever.

You may also want to look at aligning your for too (but, if it's worked up until now and you're okay with it...)

 

[Brinta]

I know in order to get the passenger side door open I need to punch below the keyhole for the key to activate the lock. Otherwise its jammed.
So I feel ya on the entry difficulties.
Surprisingly I have no entry problems when its raining out. Door unlocks like butter. No punching necessary.

 

[Camhabib]

I’ve seen Discussions on the forum about doors not opening from the outside but my case was unique So I wanted to post

I’m able to open my driver side door only If I push the door inward then it will unlatch. Door also is not flush when shut (bottom right curve of door is not flush). This happens with both my soft and hard top. Passenger side door works great and fits flush. Driver side door also opens up fine from the inside

I checked the weatherstripping and it looks like new.

Any ideas?

Mine does the same exact thing. Spoke to someone quickly about it and they said it would be solved by just swapping out the exterior handle assembly. Have one on order and we'll see if it fixes it.

 

[B34C0N]

I know in order to get the passenger side door open I need to punch below the keyhole for the key to activate the lock. Otherwise its jammed.
So I feel ya on the entry difficulties.
Surprisingly I have no entry problems when its raining out. Door unlocks like butter. No punching necessary.

I had both yours and the OPs problem. It was caused by the latch bolts under the weather stripping in the door backing out, the spring in the handle breaking and the internals to the door being rusted. I took the plastic inside cover off and sprayed penetrant to kill rust and then put a bit of grease on the hinges.