How to Change the Door Latch on a 2001 Ford Taurus

A broken door latch makes it very difficult to securely close a car door. In order to change the door latch on your Ford Taurus, you must remove the door panel to get inside the door. Unlike older models, the door latch in the 2001 Taurus can be a bit harder to replace because certain components are secured with rivets.

Instructions

Door Panel

1

Raise the door window all the way up, then disconnect the negative battery cable.

2

Pry off the trim cover around the inside door pull handle with a trim stick or other flat tool, followed by the plug inside the pull handle.

3

Remove all the trim panel mounting screws with a screwdriver--there are five along the panel's edge and one within the pull handle.

4

Work the flat tool along the edge of the panel to disengage the push pins. Swing out the bottom of the panel, disconnect all the electrical connectors behind the panel and lift the panel off the door.

5

Peel away the water shield on the inside of the door.

Removal

6

Remove the screw connecting the latch's control rod to the door with a screwdriver.

7

Drill out the rivet that secures the inside handle using a drill and 1/4 inch bit. Pull the handle forward and out, then set the handle aside.

8

Disconnect all the control rods that you can reach from the latch assembly. If necessary, detach some of these rods at the end other than at the latch.

9

Drill out the rivet mounting the power door lock's motor onto the door. Disconnect the motor's electrical connector and remove the motor from the door.

10

Disconnect the electrical connector for the Door Ajar signal from the door latch.

11

Disconnect the bolt for the glass channel with a wrench, followed by the two bolts for the center glass support bar, then remove the bar.

12

Unscrew the three screws at the rear of the door with the screwdriver, then remove the latch assembly from inside the door.

Installation

13

Install the replacement latch in the door and secure it with the screws.

14

Re-install the center glass support bar with its bolts and apply the bolt for the glass channel. Connect the Door Ajar electrical connector to the door latch.

15

Mount the power door lock's motor onto the door with a rivet gun and reconnect the motor's electrical connector. Connect the control rods to the latch, reinstall the inside handle with another rivet and screw the latch's control rod to the door.

16

Attach the water shield back in place with its adhesive.

17

Install the door trim panel, reconnecting the electrical connectors, fitting it on its push pins, applying the screws and attaching the trim panels for the handles.