planeshift1

OK - both doors failed last week - after a quick search here, figured out quickly it was broken interior latch mechanism - after reading the INTIMIDATING but invaluable advice here, i was able to replace the passenger side - no problem, removing the door lock motor etc etc....

I fear out of cockiness I moved too quickly on the drivers side. After pulling the panel and motor I noticed it was the same break in the latch mechanism - and as i had just successfully repaired the passenger side though i would breeze through the drivers side...all seemed to go well, till I shut the door. Now, via key or interior handle, Nothing. Cant open the door. If I Could open the door I am sure I could start again and figure it out.

SO here is the question. HOW does one open a door that can't be opened by the interior handle, exterior handle or by turning the lock? KEY think I noticed was that the lock was NOT turning its full rotation. Something tells me poor alignment in the process of reassembling but I will never know unless i can reopen the door. Mercifully, the interior door panel is not affixed at this point, so I CAN access certain parts of the motor. No way of course to remove the hinge mechanism....


HELP..

gratefully....

WallyP

Possible disconnect on the pull rod from the interior handle.
Possible maladjustment causing binding between the door and the stud on the door frame.

Move/recline the seat to improve visibility. It will be hard to see past the anti-theft shield (massive understatement there), but look carefully at the final release arm on the lock, and make sure that it is actually being moved enough to unlatch the lock. You might end up having to pull the right door panel to learn what you are looking for.

Flashlights and mirrors are your friends...

planeshift1

Many Thanks as always Wally...

upstate bob

Do the later models have the same little round inside locking **** as my 79? Sometimes a sharp rotation of that will unlock things if it's stuck. Fortunately my doors are still behaving.

planeshift1

Yep- they all have those round *****, they are attached to the door plunger and actuate the door lock motor. I just got careless when I finished the drivers side handle mechanism replace. Looks like the door latch was misaligned to the point that everything "stuck"

Point is, make sure everything is running in sync before slamming your door closed in premature celebration.

DOH.

Alan

Did you actually loosen the latching plate? there really shouldn't have been a need to? If you didn't touch that then maybe it is just the linkages that are on wrong or just disconnected. Did you remove the protection plate? is it still off? if not can you get it off again?

Without the protection plate you should be able to activate the release cam linkage with a pair of pliers.

This does raise a good point - much better to test the door release action using a screwdriver to latch the latching plate - with the door open - before you commit to actually closing it, you can then check the lock/unlock in the same way

Alan