Doors - Outside Door Handle Inoperative

SOURCE: Kia Technician Times

TITLE: Outside Door Handle Clip

APPLIES TO: 98 Sephia

SERVICE TIP:

CONDITION

Some 1998 Sephia owners have reported that the doors cannot be opened from outside the vehicle.

CAUSE

Through normal door operation (opening and closing) the plastic clip that retains the door latch link to the outside door handle becomes unclipped from the link. The cause for the link not staying locked in the clip is too tight a fit of the clip in the door handle.

NOTICE
This problem should not occur on vehicles produced after 12/15/97 because the hole dimension for the clip was enlarged in production.

CORRECTIVE ACTION






1. Remove the door trim.






2. Remove the outside door handle.






3. Remove the clip.






4. Enlarge the clip hole slightly by running a 7.5 mm drill bit through the hole by hand.






5. Install the clip into the hole and verify that the clip rotates freely in the hole.






6. Install the outside door handle and connect the door latch link to the clip.






7. Install the door trim.
8. Open and close the door several times to verify proper operation.