I replaced the driver side outside door handle about a year ago, which was a chore, but recently the outside and inside door handles won't open the door.  I think the vertical connecting rod from that handle has come lose from the door/lock mechanism.  When I use the interior handle, that doesn't work either. There seems to be something binding as I can see the lock knob try to rotate when I do that.

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get your window down get a good flashlihgt look down inside get a long screw driver and you should be able to figure out what to push on to get the door open. I did it a long time ago long shot but rock your door lock back and fourth I beleive the latch gets hung up likes its lockedrraider12011-05-24 21:16:03

This Might Help

Thanks for the help and the photo.  When I look down with my light, I can see the inside door handle bar moving, but most of the mechanism is hidden because of a black plastic water shield.  I'll keep working on it, though.

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Got the door open after fiddlin with the interior lock handle and door handle for a while.  Still don't know what caused the problem but there's about 10 things to adjust.  My manual is not much help on adjustments, just remove & replace instructions.  I may have to try to find a new mechanism that you send me the picture of.

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This sounds similar to what mine was doing when you would lock the door and try to unlock it it would not totally unlock and I could not get the door open. I did many things at that time but what might need to be done is to clean your door latch mechanism. their may be some posts on this and some one might chime in. but it needs to be socked in some cleaner and then re lubed. hopefully someone has done it recently and may have recommendation as to cleaner and lube. this might be the best place to start before you start adjustments.

I just cleaned both of my door latches. After removing them from the car they went into a can of carburetor cleaner, the old style stuff that smells bad and eats the skin off your hands. After soaking until clean, remove, rinse with water, blow dry with compressed air and then lubricate. I sprayed mine all down in the mechanism until the lube was running out the bottom, then let it sit overnight on a rag for the excess to run off. It made the door open easier and the power locks worked much better, the lock use to hang up when trying to unlock. It appeared that the factory used some kind of waxy lubricant, it was obviously dipped into what ever they used. It had the benefit of not collecting dirt, but over time the wax looses its lubricating quality.

Thanks for the info.  I'll give that a try. What kind of lubricant did you use? Oil or silicone based?

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I used Triflow spray lubricant. Works better than anything else I have tried.

http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Tri-Flow_Superior_Aerosol_Lubricant.html

i had a problem with my door not opening. first time i got a rod and moved all the linkages around inside the door and it finally opened. looked like it happened to the PO as the edges of the locking mechanism was bent outwards. i bought a used mechanism off ebay and installed it and figured my problem was solved.

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LIFETIME MEMBER #97
THE DYNAMIC DUO

If your car has power door locks the power lock actuator itself can sometimes make it difficult to fully unlock the door.  When operated electrically the lock knobs may move only slightly and when a key is used it will be very difficult to turn.  I recently replaced my electric lock actuators because of this problem and it made a huge difference.

Hi everybody. My car would not let me in. The power door lock motors were the problem. I had to use a slim-jim and worked the lock at the pivot were the lock motor hooks up. Im going to do all the door repairs and may need new lock motors. Does anyone know how to take the door lock switchs apart?  

So, looking back, do you think that you could have gotten it opened without breaking up the lock mechanism?

OK,
I got it to unlock and  open.
I had to push one of the Lock levers on the inside  with a screw driver while I turned the inside lock  knob.
Something is catching within the mechanism, I will probably get  a new one done the road. For now I just  will not lock it.
Joe

Interesting phenomena, the wifes '78 has the very same problem on the passengers side . Doesn't seem to be any solution short of replacement. With money tight, I hate to go there so we just don't lock it.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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I do not know if this could be some of the problems people are having? I could not get my door locks to adj and work properly when I first got my 77. when I went to try and get the stock alarm to work peoperly I discovered the door handle rods where reversed the left doors was installed on the right door they are different

Food for thought Robert. Can't get enough of that .

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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I had a similar problem where it was difficult to unlock the driver-side door.

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What story is that, Dave?     I had the problem with my driver's door. Sometimes it would lock but not unlock. You had to put the window down and work the key and the lock button at the same time until it unlocked. Then when in OC, MD last year for the boardwalk cruise I had two occasions when the door would open then not latch. Both times I had to remove the inner door panel and slide the lock mechinism with a screwdriver until it worked (for a while). when I got home I took the door panel off and discovered that the lock mechinism slides up and down in the CENTER of the door latch. After much cleaning and lubing, the lock works much better, no problems. Nothing is more embarasing than having your car break at a show!

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"Down on the Boardwalk...

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