shotgunvet

When I recently bought my 71, the past owner could not find the door key. he found it and mailed it to me, and so I immediatley tried it out. It seemed to work fine, but now my door will not open with either the inside or outside door release handles. The door appears to be unlocked, and looking down through the window opening things seem to be moving, and sound like they are moving, but the door will not release.

Can I get the door panel off with the door closed?

Any tricks with a coat hanger?

HELP!

klb6469

Not without damaging the door panel.The rod from the door latch, on either door might have come disconnected. Just a guess. Good luck.

hugie82

A long screwdriver can push the latch that opens the door but it is hard to describe how to do it. If you have the corvette assembly manual it has a good pic of the latch lever

Kevin_73

This is what the door latches look like, and what each one of the levers attaches to.





I don't remember how much you can actually see in there when they are installed, but I think your best bet would be to try and get some sort of tool down there to push down on the lever that attaches to the outside door handle. It should push down to release the door.

Rontech

Shotgunvet,

Here are some more photos. Push down on the lever to unlock. You can use a long thin screwdriver.

Ron

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shotgunvet

thanks guys, I am still trying....

Peterbuilt

Here's where you have to push with the screwdriver.

shotgunvet

Thanks guys! You are awesome.

Not sure if I actually pushed what I was supposed to or not, but it suddenly magically unlocked. I will pull of the door panel and inspect and lube everything before locking it again.

Now if I can just get the brakes bled life will be good. Just put on new calipers from VBP.

Rontech

Hello again,

Glad to see you opened the door without damage. Checked out your site and you have a very nice looking vette. I'm going to change my wheels someday. Yours look really great. Are they 17 or 18 inch? Hey. now don't lock the door without first trying the lock and unlock before closing the door.

Thanks

Ron

shotgunvet

Thanks for your help and kind words. The wheels are 17".