Topic: Outside door handle will open door but will not release
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Joined: 12/3/2007
Posts: 292
Vette(s): 1978 Corvette Light Blue
Pulled from the swamps of Miami!
Its a driver and back on the road!
I have a post over on electrical for a pwr window inop and now the right door will not release to close the door, All this after getting the heater core and dash back together.
The door is closed and I open it with the door handle if I just press it down a little and open the door I can cloase the door, but if I push down the door handle like I do it will lock and not release the door latch so when you close the door it will not cloase becasue the door latch will not release so it will latch on the door post. The handle springs back but the slider inside the door goes down to far and will not release when the door handle is released. I can get a screw driver to push it back up then I can close the door but if not it will just hit and not latch?
From inside the panel it looks like the door handle pushing down pushes the latch too far and it latches down and will not release, if I am careful I can push the handle to open the door and the lever will spring back in place so it will close.It is as if the rod on the door handle pushes the latch down to far and then it jams and will not release so the door will latch.
any suggestions. I am thinking I will have to remove the dorr handle outside and then the rod needs to be screwed in more so the door handle even if I push it in all the way cannot push the rod down as far and push the latch down too far where it gets stuck and will not release so the door can close. Am I thinking right, the spring works fine and first I sprayed liquid wrench in to loosen things up but the system works fine but the lever is going to far in movement and it jambs down???
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Lifetime MemberI had a similar problem in my 79. Some times the door would not open and a few times it would not latch shut (that's more embarrasing!). Any way, my problem turned out to be twofold. If you look at the latch assembly in the door, you will notice the lock mechinism is in the center. Mine would stick in the middle position, not letting the latch work. I cleaned and lubricated it very well and it's been fine. I also discovered that the latch pin (in the door jamb) was ever so slightly bent. Changed that and the door now opens and closes PERFECTLY! Hope this helps.
Barry
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Joined: 12/3/2007
Posts: 292
Vette(s): 1978 Corvette Light Blue
Pulled from the swamps of Miami!
Its a driver and back on the road!
I compared both door s forever and I did notice the push rod on the non working rod seemed to be rapped around the door key back end and did seem maybe it was getting stuck and also seemed like it put more down force on the latch then the other.
So I bit the bullet and the door handle is out and don't know how I will get the little clip back on it came loose but thats later. Think I will order new push rod and install and see if that does better and adjust the down force with the end of push rod before I get it into the clip, it that ever happens.
Thanks for the info and its been a while since the heater core was installed, just keeps piling on...
BB78
below is a link to a how-to on a door door handle replacement with pics - I referred to this when I installed one this spring. - good luck, take your time - patience and adult beverages are a requirement on this job.
Standard Member
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Joined: 12/3/2007
Posts: 292
Vette(s): 1978 Corvette Light Blue
Pulled from the swamps of Miami!
Its a driver and back on the road!
Got a new pushrods and installed it this morning the door is working fine again.
Who designed the door handle and screw access....dropped the hinge out and still no room to start the back nut on the bolt,,got it on but you got to be kidding me....the old pushrods must have got bent somewhat ,but now back to the pwr window problem.
Thanks for all the info,it all started with a new dash....
BB78
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Maybe someone had tried to "slim jim" the locks previously and bent the rods.
1973 L-82 4 spd
in Forum: C3 Interior
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