HELP: Door lock will not disengage (door can not be opened)
04-29-2004, 11:11 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
HELP: Door lock will not disengage (door can not be opened)
The driver's door lock has somehow become jammed (hence, door will not open). The problem seems to reside in that the lock/unlock tumbler will not rotate far enough to disengage the lock. It's stopping prematurely, so neither door handle (inside or outside) will open the door.
I can't get the door panel off unless the door is open (unless I thrash the door panel, which is not an option yet). If I turn the lock tumbler with one hand and repeatedly pull the inside door handle, it seems to make some progress but never enough. I've tried applying pressure against the door (to release the pressure on the lock mechanism while pulling door handle), jacking the car slightly, driving it, tapping on the tumbler with a rubber mallet, etc. - all to no avail.
It's a 1972 convertible. And yes, of course, the plastic lock cylinder shields are in place, so a "slim jim" has proven useless. There also appears to be no means of accessing anything from the rear storage area.
Any advice or thoughts? Thanks. I really want this fixed ASAP.
[Modified by SharkAttack, 10:13 PM 4/29/2004]
I can't get the door panel off unless the door is open (unless I thrash the door panel, which is not an option yet). If I turn the lock tumbler with one hand and repeatedly pull the inside door handle, it seems to make some progress but never enough. I've tried applying pressure against the door (to release the pressure on the lock mechanism while pulling door handle), jacking the car slightly, driving it, tapping on the tumbler with a rubber mallet, etc. - all to no avail.
It's a 1972 convertible. And yes, of course, the plastic lock cylinder shields are in place, so a "slim jim" has proven useless. There also appears to be no means of accessing anything from the rear storage area.
Any advice or thoughts? Thanks. I really want this fixed ASAP.
[Modified by SharkAttack, 10:13 PM 4/29/2004]
04-30-2004, 01:04 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
Re: HELP: Door lock will not disengage (SharkAttack)
.........
..... And yes, of course, the plastic lock cylinder shields are in place, so a "slim jim" has proven useless. .....
[Modified by SharkAttack, 10:13 PM 4/29/2004]
..... And yes, of course, the plastic lock cylinder shields are in place, so a "slim jim" has proven useless. .....
[Modified by SharkAttack, 10:13 PM 4/29/2004]
The plastic lock cylinder shields are available. My 1980 did not have them on the car when I bought it. :yesnod: So you might consider just breaking the shields ( check ZIP etc first, but they were available a couple of years ago.)
I also had a door that wouldn't open. I removed the door panel of the door that would OPEN. That way I could study the lock mechanism, and that helped me "pick" the other lock. My real problems were worn out door handles and a lock mechanism full of dirt/grease.
05-01-2004, 10:34 PM
#3
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Re: HELP: Door lock will not disengage (SharkAttack)
GOT IT! I applied pressure on the interior lock tumbler in the unlock direction while rapidly pulling the interior door handle and it finally disengaged - the door is open! Now I can take my time to isloate the problem and correct it. :cheers:
