Dumb question....driver door opening: push button once or twice?
12-14-2022, 09:20 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Dumb question....driver door opening: push button once or twice?
Can't find it in the manual about how it's programmed.
From a stop, after putting top up and turning car off, I often have to push twice for door to fully disengage lock mechanism. I thought it used to be once, but....maybe I'm losing my memory.
If you know where in manual this is addressed, I'd appreciate the pointer. Am wondering if it's related to a seat memory setting I accidentally set.
From a stop, after putting top up and turning car off, I often have to push twice for door to fully disengage lock mechanism. I thought it used to be once, but....maybe I'm losing my memory.
If you know where in manual this is addressed, I'd appreciate the pointer. Am wondering if it's related to a seat memory setting I accidentally set.
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12-14-2022, 09:59 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
I have this problem too, but I think it's just "operator error" 
If I push the button and push out on the door at the same time, and it opens fine. If I just push the button without also smartly opening the door, the latch will disengage and then re-engages and it still catches the door. Then I have to push the button again. So it seems to require more of a single movement, which is a little different from my muscle memory of opening doors more carefully, thinking about whats next to me, etc. I am getting used to it slowly.
If I push the button and push out on the door at the same time, and it opens fine. If I just push the button without also smartly opening the door, the latch will disengage and then re-engages and it still catches the door. Then I have to push the button again. So it seems to require more of a single movement, which is a little different from my muscle memory of opening doors more carefully, thinking about whats next to me, etc. I am getting used to it slowly.
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12-14-2022, 10:44 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
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Hold and Push.
Yes, you don't press the button, you hold the button. Like pulling on a car door handle. If you just yank the handle and let it go, the secondary latch will catch. Same with the button.
Yes, you don't press the button, you hold the button. Like pulling on a car door handle. If you just yank the handle and let it go, the secondary latch will catch. Same with the button.
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12-14-2022, 08:35 PM
#8
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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Yep it's just like the old exterior door handle with a mechanical latch button. Pushing the button releases the latch but if you don't pull on the handle to open the door and just release the button it relatches!Guess having 50's and 60's cars with that type of hande and button never gave it a 2nd thought!
SIDEBAR
One thing that got me interested in cars was a neighbor when I was about 12 - 13. He and his friends were always working on his car. It was supposedly a Barris built chopped '50 Merc. May have been as it had a lot of lead to make the sloping contours. There were a number of cracks! They were removing the lead and shaping sheet metal so they could use much less fiberglass filler.
Remember he could not pass State inspection because of the electric doors with hidden button. They said it was a safety hazard as if in an accident the police could not open the door to get someone out! So he fabricated a recess in the sheet metal so you could get your fingers under the lip and pushed a mechanical button latch. Looked great!
12-14-2022, 08:46 PM
#9
Hi All,
It's actually not a press and hold like days of old... You have to apply pressure with your elbow or shoulder before or as you push button and maintain that elbow/shoulder pressure when you press the button or it will catch. The button only releases the latch for about a second and then it lets the latch go. The same trick for the outside, pull out slightly before or as you pull button and door will open before re-latch..
It's actually not a press and hold like days of old... You have to apply pressure with your elbow or shoulder before or as you push button and maintain that elbow/shoulder pressure when you press the button or it will catch. The button only releases the latch for about a second and then it lets the latch go. The same trick for the outside, pull out slightly before or as you pull button and door will open before re-latch.
.
12-15-2022, 01:47 PM
#10
Instructor
So I've randomly had this issue before, so when I saw this thread I was interested. After reading through, I tried the methods mentioned here, and it still didn't work. I just went for a drive and when I got out, I held the button and pushed at the same time, still didn't open all of the way, and I had to release and push again. I'm sure it's operator error, but I tried each time I got to where I was going. Weird. But sometimes I don't have a problem. Same issue when opening from outside of the car too, most of the time, I have to press the button once to unlock, and then a second time to actually open the door. If I just grab and squeeze the button and pull, it won't open until my mirrors have fully folded back out.
12-15-2022, 02:07 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
So I've randomly had this issue before, so when I saw this thread I was interested. After reading through, I tried the methods mentioned here, and it still didn't work. I just went for a drive and when I got out, I held the button and pushed at the same time, still didn't open all of the way, and I had to release and push again. I'm sure it's operator error, but I tried each time I got to where I was going. Weird. But sometimes I don't have a problem. Same issue when opening from outside of the car too, most of the time, I have to press the button once to unlock, and then a second time to actually open the door. If I just grab and squeeze the button and pull, it won't open until my mirrors have fully folded back out.
12-15-2022, 02:17 PM
#12
Instructor
Interesting. Do you have the same issue when you open the door from the outside? I assume the actuator is the same whether its been activated from inside or outside. I find its a more natural motion from outside, you are grabbing the handle and pulling the door, and it just releases and opens. from inside its a little different process, in that you are gripping the pull handle, pushing forward with your thumb to hit the release button, but then having to reverse that motion to open the door, which naturally releases the forward pressure on the thumb. For me it's kind of an awkward movement, partially because the release button is so far forward on the door. I can't get enough leverage from just my hand to push the door open. I've been teaching myself to use my elbow to put outward pressure on the door at the same time I use my thumb to put forward pressure on the button, which seems to work correctly. It's just different from my other cars, so I am not really used to it yet.
12-15-2022, 03:42 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
yes I do. I can walk up to it locked, with the fob in my pocket, and when I grab the "handle" and pull, it will unlock but not open. I then i have to press the "button" again to open the door. My BMW unlocks as soon as I approach the door, and grabbing the handle opens it. On the C8, I have to basically give it a second, by the time the mirrors fold out, I can open it
12-15-2022, 03:58 PM
#14
Safety Car
So to me, that sounds like a problem, or at least a different setting. Mine definitely unlocks and opens in one motion. I need to be a little more slow and deliberate about it, but its basically the same functionality that my Mustang had, so I am used to it. I do not have to push the exterior button twice to open from locked. You might want to get that checked out at the dealership.
12-15-2022, 04:04 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I found there is a little bit of timing involved. My 2020 latch doesn't release instantly. I need to press (and hold) the button and wait a split second and then push/pull the door. But wait too long and you have to do it again.
12-15-2022, 05:07 PM
#16
yes I do. I can walk up to it locked, with the fob in my pocket, and when I grab the "handle" and pull, it will unlock but not open. I then i have to press the "button" again to open the door. My BMW unlocks as soon as I approach the door, and grabbing the handle opens it. On the C8, I have to basically give it a second, by the time the mirrors fold out, I can open it
Pressing outside button or inside button does nothing unless you are applying force to the door.
If you press the button and it is "unlocked" as you say, but it will not open with force, then it is still "locked". Maybe you have a problem with your door latch?
12-15-2022, 05:26 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Ok so because I was curious, and also because I needed a break from work, I just went out to the garage and tested this out in every way I can figure out how to do it.
From outside the car:
Car locked, mirrors folded - One push unlocks the car and pops the doors. The doors definitely do "pop" out, even without pulling on them. I tested this with just the fastest upward push I could manage without exerting any outward pressure, and the door pops out. It happens with the mirrors still folding, no waiting required, and definitely no double button push. Side note - it does not unlock when you walk up to the car, it requires a physical touch, so not like the BMW mentioned above.
Car unlocked - Same behavior, one button push, door pops open, and I can continue to pull it open to get in. I never had a situation where it "relatched" on me from outside.
From inside the car:
Car unlocked - One push of the button, door pops open. Exactly like from outside, same actuator, same behavior. I can then push with my hand or my elbow to push the door the rest of the way open. Coincidentally I still did not have a relatch issue, and I know for sure that has happened to me in the past. So either it's working better now, or it will occasionally not pop the door properly, causing it to catch. But during testing it worked about 10 times in a row without issue or hiccup.
Car locked - button doesn't work at all inside. I have to press the unlock button before pressing the release button. But then it worked like usual... press button, door pops out.
From outside the car:
Car locked, mirrors folded - One push unlocks the car and pops the doors. The doors definitely do "pop" out, even without pulling on them. I tested this with just the fastest upward push I could manage without exerting any outward pressure, and the door pops out. It happens with the mirrors still folding, no waiting required, and definitely no double button push. Side note - it does not unlock when you walk up to the car, it requires a physical touch, so not like the BMW mentioned above.
Car unlocked - Same behavior, one button push, door pops open, and I can continue to pull it open to get in. I never had a situation where it "relatched" on me from outside.
From inside the car:
Car unlocked - One push of the button, door pops open. Exactly like from outside, same actuator, same behavior. I can then push with my hand or my elbow to push the door the rest of the way open. Coincidentally I still did not have a relatch issue, and I know for sure that has happened to me in the past. So either it's working better now, or it will occasionally not pop the door properly, causing it to catch. But during testing it worked about 10 times in a row without issue or hiccup.
Car locked - button doesn't work at all inside. I have to press the unlock button before pressing the release button. But then it worked like usual... press button, door pops out.
12-15-2022, 05:49 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Ok so because I was curious, and also because I needed a break from work, I just went out to the garage and tested this out in every way I can figure out how to do it.
From outside the car:
Car locked, mirrors folded - One push unlocks the car and pops the doors. The doors definitely do "pop" out, even without pulling on them. I tested this with just the fastest upward push I could manage without exerting any outward pressure, and the door pops out. It happens with the mirrors still folding, no waiting required, and definitely no double button push. Side note - it does not unlock when you walk up to the car, it requires a physical touch, so not like the BMW mentioned above.
Car unlocked - Same behavior, one button push, door pops open, and I can continue to pull it open to get in. I never had a situation where it "relatched" on me from outside.
From inside the car:
Car unlocked - One push of the button, door pops open. Exactly like from outside, same actuator, same behavior. I can then push with my hand or my elbow to push the door the rest of the way open. Coincidentally I still did not have a relatch issue, and I know for sure that has happened to me in the past. So either it's working better now, or it will occasionally not pop the door properly, causing it to catch. But during testing it worked about 10 times in a row without issue or hiccup.
Car locked - button doesn't work at all inside. I have to press the unlock button before pressing the release button. But then it worked like usual... press button, door pops out.
From outside the car:
Car locked, mirrors folded - One push unlocks the car and pops the doors. The doors definitely do "pop" out, even without pulling on them. I tested this with just the fastest upward push I could manage without exerting any outward pressure, and the door pops out. It happens with the mirrors still folding, no waiting required, and definitely no double button push. Side note - it does not unlock when you walk up to the car, it requires a physical touch, so not like the BMW mentioned above.
Car unlocked - Same behavior, one button push, door pops open, and I can continue to pull it open to get in. I never had a situation where it "relatched" on me from outside.
From inside the car:
Car unlocked - One push of the button, door pops open. Exactly like from outside, same actuator, same behavior. I can then push with my hand or my elbow to push the door the rest of the way open. Coincidentally I still did not have a relatch issue, and I know for sure that has happened to me in the past. So either it's working better now, or it will occasionally not pop the door properly, causing it to catch. But during testing it worked about 10 times in a row without issue or hiccup.
Car locked - button doesn't work at all inside. I have to press the unlock button before pressing the release button. But then it worked like usual... press button, door pops out.
I think what is happening is there is there is a slight delay while the window is indexing down before the latch releases.
Last edited by RKCRLR; 12-15-2022 at 06:08 PM.
12-15-2022, 06:16 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
Interesting. I just went out and tested my 2020. If I just press and release the outside door button my car unlocks, the latch actuates and the window indexes down, but the door remains shut, and in about a second the window indexes back up. If I press the button while pulling on the door but quickly release the button and door the same thing happens. I have to keep the button depressed while pulling on the door and it will open after a split second.
I think what is happening is there is there is a slight delay while the window is indexing down before the latch releases.
I think what is happening is there is there is a slight delay while the window is indexing down before the latch releases.
12-15-2022, 07:28 PM
#20
As per RKCRLR, my vehicle does the same. It is a late 2021 model.
If I push either button on the door, the door does nothing. It sits there. It doesn't pop open. Must apply force.
This is a constant issue for passengers. I have to tell them press and HOLD the button while pushing the door open.
If I push either button on the door, the door does nothing. It sits there. It doesn't pop open. Must apply force.
This is a constant issue for passengers. I have to tell them press and HOLD the button while pushing the door open.
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