How to Remove the Inside Door Panel of a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 2002

The once maligned Hyundai brand further endeared itself to thrifty car buyers when it released its first SUV, the Santa Fe, in the 2001 model year. The 2002 Santa Fe came standard with a petite-for-the-vehicle 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that cranked out 149 horsepower. Where it lacked in engine power, the Santa Fe made up for it in standard features, which included: heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks and a six-speaker, AM-FM stereo system with a CD player. Removing the 2002 Santa Fes door panels requires disconnecting the power accessories from each panel.

Instructions

Removal

1

Remove the screw securing the inside door handle bezel, the trim piece behind the inside door handle, using a Phillips screwdriver.

2

Find the five front door panel-retaining screws one inside the pull cup, two on the rearmost edge of the panel and two on the front-most edge of the panel. Remove these five screws with a Phillips screwdriver. On the rear door panel there are just two screws on the rearmost edge of the door panel. Remove these two screws from the rear panel.

3

Pry around the perimeter of the door panel, using a trim stick, to disengage the door panel-retaining clips. Lift the panel up slightly to disengage the upper retaining clips on the door from the panel. Pull the door handle outward then remove the panel from the door, guiding the handle through the cutout in the handles bezel.

4

Unplug the wiring harnesses for the power door locks, power windows and power mirrors from their respective switches on the front door panel. On the rear door panel, disconnect the power window switch wiring harness. Remove the door panel from the vehicle.

Installation

5

Plug the wiring harnesses for the power door locks, windows and mirror into their receptacles on the front door panel switches. Plug in the power window switch wiring harness on the rear door panel.

6

Pull the door handle outward and guide the handle through its cutout in the door handle bezel. Guide the top of the door panel onto the clips near the top of the door. Line up the door panels retaining clips with the holes in the door panel and press the door panel onto the door to engage the clips.

7

Tighten the five front door panel-retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver, then tighten the inside door handle bezel screw. On the rear door panel, tighten the two door panel-retaining screws.