Power door lock actuator and door won't open

[tucsonjwt]

My 83 C20 driver's side door would not open from the inside. I removed the door panel and found that the lock rod had dislodged from the top of the actuator. I looked at the passenger side door and the lock rod just fits inside the hole in the top of the actuator with no visible means of mechanical attachment, like a speed nut or other clip. Is that the way the lock rod is supposed to be - just slid into the top of the actuator with no attachment?

Also, I found a spring at the bottom of the door. Where would this go on the door? It looks like something to do with the exterior door handle thumb button.

Thanks

[Pontiac1976]

Looks like one of this the clips for the rod most likely the steel one. Now if it the spring from the inside handle you will find that the inside handle will not spring back flush most like you will most likely need a new handle or a used one https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/...Wb/s-l225.webp
https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/...i2/s-l225.webp

[tucsonjwt]

Apparently, the plastic clip on the end of the lock rod has plastic tangs that fit into a hole in the metal bracket that attaches to the lock mechanism. That keeps the bent end of the lock rod from sliding completely out of the bracket when the the lock moves. The bent end of the lock rod is long enough to remain in the hole in the top of the actuator as long as the lock rod is held in place in the bracket. That is the way it appears to operate.

Later model lock rods have an additional plastic speed nut which attaches to the end of the lock rod to keep the rod located in the end of the actuator. If my lock rod becomes dislocated again I will have to try to make one of those nuts work. I would need to use some kind of large fender washer to keep the nut from sliding into the hole in the top of the actuator.

There is very little room to work to get this done, but I used a large bent hook pick as a backstop and a long screwdriver to push the plastic tangs into the hole.

I found the Dorman clips at O'Reilly Auto Parts but I had to try multiple store locations, since online inventories are often not accurate.

I still don't know where the spring came from, since my door handle is working properly.

[tucsonjwt]

Well, that didn't last long. The lock rod held in place when I tested it several times, but when I went for a short trip and operated the power door lock the lock rod slipped out. Back to the drawing board.

I will try to get one of these other lock rod clips (see attached) and see if it is what I need or can use.