How to Remove the Door Panel on a 2001 Mazda 626

Mazda became famous in the U.S. through the early 1970s with its rotary engine-power machines, but they didnt sell well thanks to poor fuel economy and frail design. In 1979, Mazda launched a new piston-style engine, the 626, in an attempt to turn its fame into fortune. With 22 years in the books, the 626 was winding down its production life, with the Mazda6 soon to take its place. Removing the door panel on the 2001 626 is nearly the same process on both the front and rear doors.

Instructions

Removal

1

Pull outward lightly on the window crank and look behind the crank to find the U-shaped clip securing the crank to the regulator shaft. Guide a window crank tool behind the crank, so its prongs engage the ears on the U-shaped clip. Press the crank tool toward the U-shaped clip to disengage it. Pull the window crank off the regulator shaft and press the U-shaped clip back into its slot on the crank. If your 626 has power windows, proceed directly to step 2.

2

Remove the screw behind the door handle, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the handle assembly outward slightly and pull the linkage from the clip on the rear of the handle. Remove the handle assembly.

3

Pry the screw cover inside the pull handle out with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the screw under the cover with a Phillips screwdriver.

4

Remove the screw from the bottom of the front door panel only, using a Phillips screwdriver.

5

Find the two push-pin-style fasteners, one on the rearmost part of the panel and one in the upper front corner of the panel on the front door and three on the rearmost edge of the rear door panel. Pry the center pin from each fastener with a flat-head screwdriver until the center pin stops moving. Pry each fastener from the door panel with a flat-head screwdriver.

6

Pry around the outer edge of the bottom and front of the door panel with a trim stick to disengage the door panels retaining clips. Lift the door panel up to disengage the upper panel hooks and pull the panel outward enough to access the power window wiring on the rear, if applicable. If your 626 does not have power windows, remove the door panel.

7

Press and hold the unlocking button on the power window switch wiring harness, and unplug the harness from the switch. Twist the courtesy light socket counterclockwise to unlock it and pull it from the courtesy light assembly. Remove the door panel. If your 626 does not have power windows, proceed to the section titled Installation."

Installation

8

Insert the courtesy light and socket into the courtesy light assembly and twist the socket clockwise to lock it into place. If applicable, plug the power window wiring harness into the power window switchs receptacle.

9

Guide the hooks on the top of the door panel onto the top edge of the door and press the panel downward to engage the hooks onto the edge of the door. Align the retaining clips on the rear of the door panel with the holes in the door and press the door panel onto the door to engage the retaining clips.

10

Press the push-pin-style fasteners into their two holes on the door panel and press their center pins inward to lock the fasteners in place.

11

Tighten the screw on the bottom of the door panel and the one in the pull cup with a Phillips screwdriver. Press the screw cover back into place inside the pull cup.

12

Press the door handle linkage back into its mounting clips on the rear of the door handle assembly. Set the door handle assembly back into its cutout in the door panel and tighten its retaining screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

13

Align the hole in the rear of the window crank with the window regulator shaft, if applicable, and press the regulator back onto the shaft. The U-shaped clip will automatically engage on the regulator shaft.