C3 door lock jammed Help please
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sandown NH
C3 door lock jammed Help please
Hi All,
I know there has been discussion on this before but most people have found just dirt to be the problem.
My lock mechanisim will not move to the fully unlocked position.
It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops. I tried pushing on the mechanism with a rod and its for sure hiting a dead end. I even hit the rod with a hammer. Its Stuck.... I removed the link to the inside lock **** to eliminate that. I cleaned and oiled the latch mechanism. it appears clean and free but it wont go to the full unlocked position.
Any advice is appreciated.
I know there has been discussion on this before but most people have found just dirt to be the problem.
My lock mechanisim will not move to the fully unlocked position.
It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops. I tried pushing on the mechanism with a rod and its for sure hiting a dead end. I even hit the rod with a hammer. Its Stuck.... I removed the link to the inside lock **** to eliminate that. I cleaned and oiled the latch mechanism. it appears clean and free but it wont go to the full unlocked position.
Any advice is appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Be very careful with the hammer, you can end up jamming the thig permanantly. Spray it full of some kind of liquid lube, PB Blaster is a good one. Wiggle the lock rod back and forth and try the latch.
If that does not get you unlocked, you need to remove the seat and the door panel, spray it down some more and use a screwdriver to lift the lock rod on the latch
If that does not get you unlocked, you need to remove the seat and the door panel, spray it down some more and use a screwdriver to lift the lock rod on the latch
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
Hi All,
I know there has been discussion on this before but most people have found just dirt to be the problem.
My lock mechanisim will not move to the fully unlocked position.
It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops. I tried pushing on the mechanism with a rod and its for sure hiting a dead end. I even hit the rod with a hammer. Its Stuck.... I removed the link to the inside lock **** to eliminate that. I cleaned and oiled the latch mechanism. it appears clean and free but it wont go to the full unlocked position.
Any advice is appreciated.
I know there has been discussion on this before but most people have found just dirt to be the problem.
My lock mechanisim will not move to the fully unlocked position.
It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops. I tried pushing on the mechanism with a rod and its for sure hiting a dead end. I even hit the rod with a hammer. Its Stuck.... I removed the link to the inside lock **** to eliminate that. I cleaned and oiled the latch mechanism. it appears clean and free but it wont go to the full unlocked position.
Any advice is appreciated.
this.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sandown NH
Door lock wont unlock :(
Hi and thanks for the responses.
I am going to try to get the door panel off today.
to answer the questions asked so far.
1) it is a manual door lock.
2) I did hit it with a hammer but not that hard.... OOPS
3) It sure looks like the Lock mechanism thats jammed cause the one on the other side can move a greater distance than the jammed one.
Please if you have any other ideas I would like to hear as I am not successful yet.
OH is there anyway to remove the actual PIN the pin that the door latch connects to?? not sure what that pin is called. its the large post the latch grabs.
thanks again
I am going to try to get the door panel off today.
to answer the questions asked so far.
1) it is a manual door lock.
2) I did hit it with a hammer but not that hard.... OOPS
3) It sure looks like the Lock mechanism thats jammed cause the one on the other side can move a greater distance than the jammed one.
Please if you have any other ideas I would like to hear as I am not successful yet.
OH is there anyway to remove the actual PIN the pin that the door latch connects to?? not sure what that pin is called. its the large post the latch grabs.
thanks again
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
I'm having the same problem with my 71. It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops before unlocking. I took the door panel off and after some poking around with a screw driver the door unlocked. After doing that with the screw driver I can now lock and unlock the door (not sure what I did to help the situation). However when i go to unlock it still sticks a little and I'm afraid it's going to get stuck again. I sprayed some WD40 in there when the door panel was off and that didn't seem to do much. Anything else I can try to fix this....or do i need to purchase a new door lock latch assembly?
Thanks,
Paul
Thanks,
Paul
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Carpinteria CA
Bump!
I'm having the same problem with my '77 - the latch itself has jammed closed, and now can't be opened. In my case, something may have snapped or come loose inside the locking mechanism, as the usual process of lube/wait/play around with a screwdriver won't work.
If anyone knows a way I can undo this sucker, I'd love to know. Otherwise I'm going to just have at it with a dremel and cut the latch...
I'm having the same problem with my '77 - the latch itself has jammed closed, and now can't be opened. In my case, something may have snapped or come loose inside the locking mechanism, as the usual process of lube/wait/play around with a screwdriver won't work.
If anyone knows a way I can undo this sucker, I'd love to know. Otherwise I'm going to just have at it with a dremel and cut the latch...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
If you just give up on opening the mechanisim, you can pull the drivers seat out, pull off the door panel for better access and use a hacksaw blade from inside the passenger compartment to chop off the striker post. No paint damage if you are reasonably careful. The striker is cheap and easy to replace.
Once you do get the door open you will want to clean out the old grease and dirt from the mechanisim. That is the culprit here. This is a common problem with these old cars.
-Mark.
Once you do get the door open you will want to clean out the old grease and dirt from the mechanisim. That is the culprit here. This is a common problem with these old cars.
-Mark.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
Hi All,
I know there has been discussion on this before but most people have found just dirt to be the problem.
My lock mechanisim will not move to the fully unlocked position.
It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops. I tried pushing on the mechanism with a rod and its for sure hiting a dead end. I even hit the rod with a hammer. Its Stuck.... I removed the link to the inside lock **** to eliminate that. I cleaned and oiled the latch mechanism. it appears clean and free but it wont go to the full unlocked position.
Any advice is appreciated.
I know there has been discussion on this before but most people have found just dirt to be the problem.
My lock mechanisim will not move to the fully unlocked position.
It moves about 3/4 of the way and stops. I tried pushing on the mechanism with a rod and its for sure hiting a dead end. I even hit the rod with a hammer. Its Stuck.... I removed the link to the inside lock **** to eliminate that. I cleaned and oiled the latch mechanism. it appears clean and free but it wont go to the full unlocked position.
Any advice is appreciated.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Carpinteria CA
I think that's the way to go. The doors on this thing are a rusted horror - Bubba left it sitting with the windows open for a few months, then stripped the thing for whatever he needed to fix something else. Each door is missing assorted panels, struts, and so on, and they're rusty and dirty as hell. I'm probably going to have to do a major rebuild anyway...
If you just give up on opening the mechanisim, you can pull the drivers seat out, pull off the door panel for better access and use a hacksaw blade from inside the passenger compartment to chop off the striker post. No paint damage if you are reasonably careful. The striker is cheap and easy to replace.
Once you do get the door open you will want to clean out the old grease and dirt from the mechanisim. That is the culprit here. This is a common problem with these old cars.
-Mark.
Once you do get the door open you will want to clean out the old grease and dirt from the mechanisim. That is the culprit here. This is a common problem with these old cars.
-Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I had the same thing happen to my son's 1975. What I found to be the problem was that the rod that runs from the exterior door handle to the latch needed to be adjusted. What happens is when the rod from the exterior door handle is not just right, and it puts a little pressure onthe latch, it will not let the door lock operate properly. It will also cause the door to not open after it is shut sometimes. Try pulling the door panel off and disconnecting the rod that runs to the exterior door handle. Once you have it loose, try operating the door lock and I'll bet you will find that it works properly. If that's the case, then all you have to do is get the rod that runs to the exterior door lock adjusted properly. I would suggest getting everything adjusted and put back together and try it a few times before you put the door panel back on just in case it locks up on you and won't open. It is much easier to actuate the door lock mechanism to open the door when the panel is not on the interior of the door. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
This same thing happened to mine. Same fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,375
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
First of all, buy a new latch mechanism, or while your at it buy two, one for each door. (The internal levers in the mechanism are stamped steel, about 0.070 inches thick. The levers can get bent easily. Also, the levers rotate on shafts that have no realbearing surfaces. Dirt will eventually grind the clearances apart, creating some slight jambing that means with some forceful use of the unlock or door open levers will cause them to bend and jamb completely.)
A long time ago, there was a posting showing photos of how you could insert a screw driver into the old latch and make it unlock. With the window rolled down, the window slot opening makes it possible to insert a long thin screwdriver into the latch mechanism. If you buy a new latch, you can hold it in your hand and manually activate the locking and opening mechanisms. You'll be able to see which lever it is you have to push to open with a screwdriver. Also...to get my locked shut door open, I opened the other door, removed the inside panel and could see this latch. I practiced on the good door to learn how to use the screwdriver to open it and then used the same technique on the locked door. I took about 10 minutes of probing to get it open.
A long time ago, there was a posting showing photos of how you could insert a screw driver into the old latch and make it unlock. With the window rolled down, the window slot opening makes it possible to insert a long thin screwdriver into the latch mechanism. If you buy a new latch, you can hold it in your hand and manually activate the locking and opening mechanisms. You'll be able to see which lever it is you have to push to open with a screwdriver. Also...to get my locked shut door open, I opened the other door, removed the inside panel and could see this latch. I practiced on the good door to learn how to use the screwdriver to open it and then used the same technique on the locked door. I took about 10 minutes of probing to get it open.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Lake Geneva WI
I'm with LSH77vette and AKTbird; My drivers door (75 coupe) would lock but not unlock. Took everything out, cleaned it ,oiled it, examined it and put it back together. Still got locked out or in, depending on which side of the door I was on. Started playing with the rod adjustments and ended up shortening the stroke on the outside opening handle and magically the problem went away. I was ready to buy a new latch assembly; glad I didn't.
Mike
Mike
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Kailua HI
This has happened to me several times.
To prevent the problem, when turning the lock **** to lock if you feel a bit of an abrupt resistance, then unlock the **** and lock it again until it locks smoothly before you shut the door.
If you find yourself locked in and the **** won't unlock beyond about 3/4 of the normal twist, then try pulling sharply on the inside door handle (as if opening the door) while simultaneously trying to twist the **** to unlock. Eventually it will unlock.
To prevent the problem, when turning the lock **** to lock if you feel a bit of an abrupt resistance, then unlock the **** and lock it again until it locks smoothly before you shut the door.
If you find yourself locked in and the **** won't unlock beyond about 3/4 of the normal twist, then try pulling sharply on the inside door handle (as if opening the door) while simultaneously trying to twist the **** to unlock. Eventually it will unlock.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Carpinteria CA
Update :
The passenger side lock came free after a lot of time, patience, and WD-40, but the driver side was completely seized up. In the end I just pulled off the door pad (literally pulled it off - it was rotted so bad only the trim was holding it together), then used a cold chisel to smack down the release tab on the lock.
New locks in place, lubricated, working perfectly.
The passenger side lock came free after a lot of time, patience, and WD-40, but the driver side was completely seized up. In the end I just pulled off the door pad (literally pulled it off - it was rotted so bad only the trim was holding it together), then used a cold chisel to smack down the release tab on the lock.
New locks in place, lubricated, working perfectly.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
You were exactly right. I had this problem and could not come up with anything...you were a life saver...thanks for sharing!
This has happened to me several times.
To prevent the problem, when turning the lock **** to lock if you feel a bit of an abrupt resistance, then unlock the **** and lock it again until it locks smoothly before you shut the door.
If you find yourself locked in and the **** won't unlock beyond about 3/4 of the normal twist, then try pulling sharply on the inside door handle (as if opening the door) while simultaneously trying to twist the **** to unlock. Eventually it will unlock.
To prevent the problem, when turning the lock **** to lock if you feel a bit of an abrupt resistance, then unlock the **** and lock it again until it locks smoothly before you shut the door.
If you find yourself locked in and the **** won't unlock beyond about 3/4 of the normal twist, then try pulling sharply on the inside door handle (as if opening the door) while simultaneously trying to twist the **** to unlock. Eventually it will unlock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Spot On!!!
I had the same thing happen to my son's 1975. What I found to be the problem was that the rod that runs from the exterior door handle to the latch needed to be adjusted. What happens is when the rod from the exterior door handle is not just right, and it puts a little pressure onthe latch, it will not let the door lock operate properly. It will also cause the door to not open after it is shut sometimes. Try pulling the door panel off and disconnecting the rod that runs to the exterior door handle. Once you have it loose, try operating the door lock and I'll bet you will find that it works properly. If that's the case, then all you have to do is get the rod that runs to the exterior door lock adjusted properly. I would suggest getting everything adjusted and put back together and try it a few times before you put the door panel back on just in case it locks up on you and won't open. It is much easier to actuate the door lock mechanism to open the door when the panel is not on the interior of the door. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Thanks Again!
Cwasia